For the first time, a new poll shows more Americans "strongly support" same-sex marriage than "strongly oppose" it, a finding that could be attributed to changes occurring within organized religions, says a Presbyterian elder and lay preacher.

"For 2,000 years, religion has been the genesis of antipathy toward homosexuals, but now, three major American denominations have approved ordination of openly gay clergy," says Paul Hartman, a retired PBS/NPR station executive and author of The Kairos (www.CarpeKairos.com), a novel that imagines Jesus as gay.

"Gay has become the civil rights issue of the 21st century," he says.

The May survey of more than 1,000 adults found a dramatic reversal from earlier surveys: more adults now "strongly support" same-sex marriage rights (39 percent) than "strongly oppose" them (32 percent).  Over all, Langer Research Associates says, 53 percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be legalized - up from only 36 percent just six years ago.

"Episcopalian, Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations have overturned centuries of tradition in welcoming openly gay clergy," Hartman says. "There's a growing realization that religion can and should help lead us all toward a more mature understanding and acceptance of minority sexual orientations."

In 2012, he says, there is a new human rights landscape in the United States. He cites these additional recent developments:

• The U.S. military joined 43 other countries when it repealed "Don't ask, don't tell" and allowed openly-gay service members.

• Same-sex marriages are now legal in six states and the District of Columbia. Three other states -- Washington, Maryland and California -- have same-sex marriage under active consideration. Eleven more offer "civil union"-type status for same-sex couples.

• A federal appeals court in Boston recently struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (which defines marriage as "one man, one woman"), making consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court almost certain.

• Dr. Robert Spitzer, one of the last nationally-respected scholars whose studies lent credence to "gay reparative" therapies, recently offered a retraction and apology to the gay community.

"Unfortunately, the occasionally hateful crowd still resonates with a very small group of people, including those headed by preacher Fred Phelps and congregants, who continue to make news as they picket the funerals of soldiers and celebrities," Hartman says.

Western cultures' condemnation of same-sex love appears to have originated from Judeo-Christian scriptures, but contemporary biblical scholarship amends old interpretations, he says.

"That's why I wanted to tell a religion-based suspense story about homophobia," Hartman says. "It addresses fear of all kinds, because in passage after biblical passage, scripture tells humans who are facing change, sickness, alienation, death, and everything else: 'fear not.'  It applies to homophobia, as well."

About Paul Hartman

Paul Hartman is a retired PBS/NPR station executive with a passion for biblical history. He is a Presbyterian elder, a lay preacher and a Dead Sea Scrolls aficionado. Hartman, a father and grandfather, confesses he is a lifelong fear-fighter.

DES MOINES, IA (08/03/2012)(readMedia)-- The world-famous Iowa State Fair Butter Cow has a new friend, a life-size Chocolate Moose crafted by the master chocolatiers at Chocolaterie Stam U.S.A. Chocolaterie Stam has crafted 'The World's Largest Chocolate Moose in Captivity ©.' The chocolate moose will be on display in the Elwell Family Food Center throughout the Fair, August 9-19 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

From hooves to antlers, the chocolate moose's stainless steel frame weighs 320 pounds, stands 10'6" high and is 118" long. Hundreds of pounds of Dutch chocolate were applied in layers and hand-carved until a life-size chocolate moose emerged. This creation took approximately nine weeks from its birth in Radcliffe to its new location in the Elwell Family Food Center. While a real moose weights more than 850 pounds, this chocolate moose would make approximately 4,250 Stam Chocolate Bars.

The Elwell Family Food Center houses this delectable creature as well as the largest foods department in the nation with 893 contests, 43 of which are new this year. Fairgoers can watch the judging take place or peruse the winners already on display. On the last day, educational seminars will be held about all things cooking and baking.

Over the 11-day course of competition, nearly $60,000 in prizes will be awarded, including Fair premiums and special sponsorship prizes and cash rewards. Judging for the Food Department competitions takes place daily in the four judging rooms located in the Elwell Family Food Center.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. Save money on advance admission tickets now through August 8 (while supplies last). For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Washington, DC- Representative Jon Runyan (R-NJ-3) and Representative Tom Price (R-GA-6) have officially co-sponsored H.R. 1639, putting the number of cosponsors at 219 and surpassing the majority in the House of Representatives. The bill, along with its companion bill S. 1461 in the Senate, seeks to protect premium cigars from FDA regulation.

Thanks to the efforts of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), the Cigar Rights of America (CRA), and countless others, H.R. 1639 has surpassed a representative majority. This will encourage the bill's discussion in session and lead to potential enactment to protect premium cigars.

Industry-wide support from the IPCPR, CRA, retailers, producers, consumers and fellow premium cigar enthusiasts led to this distinctly bipartisan majority. The concentrated effort included significant grassroots support, online petitions and personal trips to legislators in D.C. and in their home districts to educate them on the importance of the premium cigar industry.

"The simple fact remains that premium cigars are enjoyed by adults, not marketed to nor affordable by underaged youth, and are simply celebratory in nature - not addictive.  The typical premium cigar smoker may smoke 1-2 cigars a week, or even less. If the FDA were to gain the jurisdiction over premium cigars they could potentially destroy this artisan industry," said Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR.

Without these bills, the FDA could potentially have the authority to: ban walk-in humidors; limit advertising, including the very word cigar or tobacco; require manufacturers to submit their blends for testing; impose new fees; and nearly wipe out any flavored tobacco products at their discretion.

Spann later added "The struggle to protect premium cigars and premium tobacconists continues. We must continue educate the FDA and our legislators on the cigar industry and its importance.  There are 85,000 American jobs at stake in this storied industry.  In the current economy, our representative government should be doing everything in its power to protect jobs, not regulate them out of existence," said Spann.

While this is a significant step in protecting cigars and mom-and-pop tobacconist shops throughout the country, there is still a need for action. The IPCPR urges tobacco enthusiasts to continue reaching out to their legislators to drive more support to these two bills, crucial to the health of the industry.

With the support of the representative majority, the IPCPR looks forward to the bill's continued progress in the legal system.

This article was written by Kyle Whalen. Kyle is the Public Relations Manager for the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association and can be reached at  kyle@ipcpr.org. More information can be found online at www.ipcpr.org.

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