Agree with us or burn in hell

Four statements of political satire will appear in the Oregon Voters Pamphlet. They will be in the pro section of Measure 36, which would amend the Oregon Constitution to recognize marriage between only a man and a woman. A couple of examples:

• Agree with us or burn in hell


• "The Bible says that marriage is for procreation," says the phony Defense of Heterosexual Breeding Coalition, adding that Oregon should bar homosexuals, infertile persons, men with vasectomies, and others from marrying.

The state says:

Fred Neal, Voters' Pamphlet supervisor for the secretary of state, says this kind of ballot argument prank has happened before. His office has no authority to pull such a statement unless it violates state law, which bans "obscene, profane and defamatory language" or words that "incite hatred, abuse or violence."

Of course the conservative Christians see it differently.

The Defense of Marriage Coalition, sponsor of Measure 36, urged the state to cut the statements, arguing they are deceptive and sarcastic, demean conservative Christians and make a mockery of the Voters' Pamphlet.

Kelly Clark, attorney for the group, says the state would not tolerate "such language targeted at the Jewish community, the Islamic community or anybody except the conservative Christian community."

However:

The author of the four voter guide statements is M. Dennis Moore, a Portland freelance book editor and church organist. He says he's simply using satire, "a very ancient literary device to ridicule hypocrisy."