Traditional Values Defined
In some ways, the aims of the group are those of a wider movement. Beyond this, it does not provide formal position statements but outlines the traditional values it is fighting for as follows:
- Right to life (against abortion and euthanasia)
- Sexual fidelity in marriage and abstinence before marriage
- Opposition to homosexuality and "other deviant sexual behaviors" (see below)
- Opposition to pornography
- Patriotism (supporting national boundaries, the Armed Forces, political participation, free enterprise, limited government, low taxes, and personal responsibility.)
- Opposition to "liberal" immigration reform (reform without first securing the U.S.-Mexico border)
- Freedom of Christians attempt to convert non-Christians
- Addictive behaviors (with opposition to gambling, the legalization of addictive drugs, alcohol, and smoking)
The group then explains in paragraphs titled "Discrimination and Tolerance" and "Love and Hate" how it aims to deal with accusations that its activities are based on hatred of those not following similar beliefs. Without stating what action should be taken, the organization maintain that "Individuals may be free to pursue such behaviors as sodomy, but we will not and cannot tolerate these behaviors". Reflecting this, its stances against homosexuality and the LGBT rights movement are somewhat more confrontational than those of many groups with similar views. There are a number of smaller groups that take a harder line, most notably Westboro Baptist Church, which the TVC has criticized for many years, likening it to a false flag operation. The gap between the TVC and other groups on the Right was described by Winnie Stachelberg of the pro-gay marriage Human Rights Campaign as follows: "They’re out there every day supporting discrimination against gay people on nearly every issue, and you don’t see that so much from other groups". The Coalition took this as a compliment. By comparison, Jerry Falwell stated in his later years "Civil rights for all Americans...gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or a conservative value. It’s an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on."
The TVC will sometimes suggest that homosexuals pose a threat of child molestation; they "have long sought unrestricted access to children for recruitment purposes", as well being more willing than others on the right to use the word sodomy in reference to gay men. Historically, the group has called for "Cities of refuge" to keep AIDS patients from infecting the general population.
Lafferty's response to a Gallup poll suggesting a tilt in public opinion towards gay rights was "Jesus didn't ask for a 'show of hands' at the Sermon on the Mount. We, His followers, should not ask America to vote on which of his teachings they choose to obey."
Read more about this topic: Traditional Values Coalition
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