Monday, October 13, 2008

Prop 8


I don't know that anybody will read this post that can actually do something about Prop 8, but I do know that as church members, we have been asked to put all of our time and means available into supporting Prop 8, and although I personally can't vote in California, I hope this post will educate some people who can.

There are videos, articles, etc. that explain the ramifications and consequences if Prop 8 DOES NOT pass. To highlight a few, our children will be taught in school (from K to 12) that same sex marriages are normal and accepted and that it is ok for children to like other children of the same sex. This should be the right of the parents not the schools.

This is SO important. PLEASE do not take this lightly. The consequences will be huge. It will affect the entire nation. We already voted on it once in Prop 22 and four activist judges based in San Fran overturned what the people said and legalized same sex marriage.

This will affect our children. Those who are homosexual will not lose any rights. They will still have all benefits and tax benefits as heterosexual marriages. This is simply regarding the definition of marriage. It is a MORAL issue. It is not an act of tolerance. They cannot use tolerance as a cry against us and then use that same 'intolerance' against us by saying we aren't tolerant. We need to unite, all faiths, all those interested in the family and protect the divine institution of marriage. If you are from California, please register to vote and VOTE on November 4 YES YES YES for Prop 8.

If you are not from California, make sure you talk to anyone you know who is and pass on this very important information! Please contact those you know DO ALL you CAN to get them to vote yes on Prop 8. Please repost this on your blog!!!

To further educate yourself, you can visit these links

www.whatisprop8.com

www.preservingmarriage.org
www.protectmarriage.org

6 consequences if the vote fails:

1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage.

The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)

Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage between any two adults is of the same worth, regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2
Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3
Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.
4
Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
5
Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: "traditional marriage," or "family values" because, after the same-sex marriage case, it is "hate speech."
6
It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already lost (e.g., photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages; doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors). Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money – your money – that will be spent on such legal battles.

The Church released "The Divine Institution of Marriage" in response to Prop 8, please click here to read it

3 people gave their 2 cents:

Double Blink said...

thank you for this post:

Defining marriage as between one man and one woman is not taking away anyone's rights. The definition simply distinguishes a union that is biologically capable of producing its own children. Whether a married couple has children or not, I feel like this deserves a separate name--even the potential is kind of a miracle.

Actually this definition can be seen as the ultimate expression of equality our society has to offer: it takes one man and one woman. One could see a lesbian union as a marginalization of men, or a homosexual union as a marginalization of women.

Equality is especially important when it comes to raising children. Children deserve/need a father and a mother. Neither parent should be marginalized.

Yes, many children are already growing up in single-parent homes. Prop 8 should be a reminder to everyone that as a society we need to assist and strengthen families as much as possible. Really, as a society we should be most concerned with the success and health of our families.

http://emiliadelmar.blogspot.com/2008/10/legislation-and-social-issues.html

peace out.

Chino Blanco said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm a student who has only done some brief research about Prop 8, but here are some information I've gathered regarding the issue.

Regarding point 2 and 5, the Supreme Court ruling had said that “[A]ffording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

So, no on Propisition 8 will not require religious groups to contradict their practices in order to maintain their tax exemption status. Nor will the churches be forced to modify their teachings. No on Prop 8 is establishing marriage as a legal contract for same sex couples, not as a religious contract, so churches will not be subjected to negative legal actions for their beliefs.

Also, regarding point 1, the California Education Code only requires that students be taught the legal obligations and responsibilities related to marriage. No references has to be made regarding the gender of the couple. And similar to sex education, parents still retain the right to remove their children from the class if they don't approve of the teaching.

Besides, education curriculum is a regional issue, one determined by each individual school district, not by the state. Overall, California schools will not be subject to the teaching of same-sex marriage (which is unlikely to be taught anyways) simply with the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state.

Again, I'm only a student hoping to put in her 2 cents, so please feel free state otherwise if I had made mistakes.