Marriage Counseling Bill Introduced
 Rep.
John Gleason (D-Flushing) has re-introduced legislation that would
remove barriers to clergy providing marriage and family counseling.
The bill amends current language that is confusing and out of
date.
"This bill was part of the package of marriage
bills that the governor vetoed late in 2004," said MFF Executive
Director Brad Snavely. "The changes this legislation makes
are just common sense. Clergy, whether active or retired, should
be able to use their training and experience to counsel their
parishioners who are planning to get married. The state should
eliminate any barriers to them being able to do so."
The bill is expected to once again pass the House
and Senate. The governor has indicated her support for this particular
piece of legislation in the past. To see the bill, click
here.
Congress Considers End of
Life Legislation
 Congress
is talking about Terri Schiavo and wondering what its role should
be the next time a similar case arises, with several members privately
discussing legislation to protect other Americans with disabilities.
And state legislators are active, as well: Alabama and Louisiana
are already considering legislation to protect people whose end-of-life
directives are not clear. Members of both political parties are
engaged in the discussions about new law.
All the activity is a welcome sign to disabled-rights advocate
and Christian commentator Joni Eareckson Tada. "I'm grateful,"
she said, "that there are several senators in Congress who
are already moving forward to put back up those safeguards which
this case, the Terri Schiavo case has dismantled." For more
on this story, click
here.
National Day of Prayer -
May 5, 2005
 The
2005 National Day of Prayer (NDP) is scheduled for Thursday, May
5. This year's theme is "God Shed His Grace on Thee."
An observance will be held at noon on the steps of the Capitol
in Lansing. Several community events across the state are scheduled
throughout the day as well.
For more information about the National Day of
Prayer, click
here.
Parents Not Talking to Their
Kids About Sex
 A
growing number of teens are looking to their parents for information
about sex, but many moms and dads are unprepared to have the conversation,
according to a recent NBC poll.
More than half of the teens who responded to the
survey said they rarely if ever discuss sex with their parents.
But Jack Samad of the National Coalition for the Protection of
Children and Families said he believes those teens would have
such conversations if they felt they could.
"What kids would tell you (is) that they would be open to
speak to the parents," Samad said, "but the parents
aren't comfortable and aren't equipped to talk to them about the
issues they want to speak to."
For more information on this story and the survey, click
here. The Department of Health and Human Services also has
a website for parents to help when talking to their teens about
difficult topics. The site also includes a helpful publication
entitled, "Parents: Speak Up!" Click
here to access these resources.
Reflections on Terri
 Today's
news is largely overshadowed by the death of Terri Schiavo. The
nation has been gripped over the past two weeks by the battle
in the courts between Schiavo's husband and parents regarding
her fate.
"Regardless of whether you believe Terri Schiavo
was in a persistent vegetative state or not, there is another
issue that warrants further legal discussion," said MFF Executive
Director Brad Snavely. "Clearly, her husband had written
off their marital relationship long ago. Yet, his right to make
the decision as to whether to end her life or not was not 'written
off' by the courts. Legislation needs to be passed to prevent
'estranged' or adulterous spouses from retaining their rights
in situations such as these."
This type of legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joel
Sheltrown (D-West Branch) is under consideration in Michigan.
Click here to find
out more about it. Click
here to read more about Terri Schiavo.
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