What do the polls say?

Mark Twain once repeated a remark attributed to Benjamin Disraeli: "'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

The data conducted by CPR research appear to be from the third category. They conducted what appears to be a "push poll" -- a survey designed to promote a specific response from those surveyed.

There are many types of relationships that the individuals involved consider to be marriage, but which are not necessarily recognized by their state or province:

1. marriage between only one man and one woman -- the most popular kind
2. marriage between one man and more than one women -- now promoted by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and formerly promoted -- but now at least temporarily suspended -- by the much larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3. marriage between one woman and more than one man -- a rare form.
4. marriage between multiple women and multiple men -- often called group marriage.
5. marriage between two man, commonly called same-sex marriage (SSM) or gay marriage.
6. marriage between two women, also commonly called same-sex marriage (SSM) or gay marriage.

In their survey, according to the Nashua Telegraph, Cornerstone asked whether the first variety -- marriage between only one man and one woman -- should be legal.

Now, I am a male married to a female. If asked this question I would certainly answer yes. I would certainly not want the government to step in and forcibly divorce me against my will. But my answer does not give the slightest indication of my support or opposition to same-sex marriage.

I am personally a strong supporter for "traditional marriage" which has mainly been between only one man and one woman in North America. But this says nothing about my support or lack thereof towards SSM.

Apparently large numbers of people surveyed were taken in by the CPR question, including CitizenLink, a fundamentalist Christian news service. In a news item distributed on 2009-JUN-03, Editor Jennifer Mesko misquoted the survey question as:

"A recent New Hampshire survey found 64 percent of respondents agreed that 'marriage between one man and one woman should be the only legal definition of marriage'." ₃

Ms. Mesko appears to have copied this phrase word-for-word from her earlier story on the CitizenLink site, published on MAY-20. ₄

To further confuse the issue, at least two individuals independently report receiving an automated call that first asked if the recipient is a registered voter. It then allegedly asked:

"Do you think it should be legal for one woman and one man to marry in New Hampshire. Answer yes or no." _5,7

If this is the actual question, I cannot understand why they would not have received a 100% affirmative response. I don't know of anyone who wants to prevent men and women from marrying.

We have posted a question on Cornerstone's website asking for clarification. ₆ We do not expect a response.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. Kevin Landrigan, "Same-sex marriage bill in limbo: Fair poll?," Nashua Telegraph, 2009-MAY-10, at: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/
2. "
3. "New Hampshire Legalizes Homosexual Marriage," CitizenLink, 2009-JUN-03, at: http://www.citizenlink.org/
4. Jennifer Mesko, "Is New Hampshire Headed Toward Same-Sex 'Marriage'?" CitizenLink, 2009-MAY-20, at: http://www.citizenlink.org/
5. "Dym Sum," 2009-MAY-11, at: http://dym-sum.com/
6. "Questions?," Cornerstone Policy Research, at: http://www.nhcornerstone.org/
7. Pam Spaulding, "Wash, rinse repeat: Focus on the Family caught lying, this time about a poll," Pam's House Blend, 2009-MAY-14, at:  http://www.pamshouseblend.com/

Copyright © 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2009-JUN-04
Latest update: 2009-JUN-04
Author: B.A. Robinson

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