Today is election day if you haven't heard, but I'm sure you have. Having just recently moved to California we weren't able to vote. However, that does not mean we couldn't participate in the political process. The cause we chose to support was Proposition 8 in California. This proposition will put into the state constitution that only marriage between a man and woman will be recognized. Just a couple things about that.- Domestic partnerships between same-sex couples will still be recognized and they have all the rights and responsibilities of married heterosexual couples.
- This does not change the laws.
- Californians have voted to prevent same-sex marriage before.
- God has ordained marriage between a man and a woman, but not whoever else feels like it.
- Marriage is not a right, definitely more of a responsibility. (Anyone who is married should know what I mean.)
- I do not hate or dislike homosexuals. I am just standing up for what I believe in.
I know that people don't agree on this issue, but that's the beauty of voting. We can all have our voices heard. At the end of the day we'll see what the people of California have decided. In the mean time let me know what you think. I would love to hear both sides!
8 comments:
Ultimately, the thing I keep coming back to with regards to Proposition 8 is one simple question. How does the legalization of same-sex marriage hurt people in any way? Our only reason for taking away a person's right is when said right infringes upon another's right. I do not see how anyone else's rights are being damaged.
On the issue of rights, regardless of whether or not you think it is a right, the California courts have determined that marriage is in fact a right.
I also look at the massive amount of time and money which has been spent by proponents of Prop 8. Imagine if said time and money had been put towards something like AIDS in Africa or Polio vaccinations. Instead, this time and money was used to try to suppress a right for a given subsection of the population. That just seems silly to me.
Jacob Parker here:
In regards to the above comment, some good points about the money issue. I think if this much political fervor would be to good use all the time, our world would be a much brighter place.
But, I will say that changing the definition of marriage (which is what will happen if Prop 8 fails) could very well hurt many people, specifically those who do not believe in the homosexual lifestyle. The religious groups have been increasingly criticized for the support of this, but why wouldn't they? They have a financial interest in getting this thing passed, because, thanks to precedent set in Massachusetts, their tax-exempt status could be called into question for going against the law, and also they could very well be sued for not wanting to perform a gay marriage, as it constitutes unlawful persecution. While this is all speculative and almost entirely unfounded (as of yet here in California), that's the major concern. Anti-Prop 8 people have made this about hate and intolerance, and while for many it is, I can guarantee that at least for those in the LDS community, it is not. Our doctrine teaches Christ-like love to ALL of God's children, and we know that it is not our place to judge anyone. There's an interest there because all people deserve the right to not be discriminated or persecuted, and since civil unions have been lawful in the state of California for many, many years, Prop 8, in essence hurts no one, other than those that believe there's really that much of a legal difference between a marriage and a civil union (which there really isn't, except in name only). I have many gay friends, many of whom want to be married and who want long, committed relationships with their partner, and I support them in their decision to seek happiness. I cannot, however, support anything that could also inflict on my rights as a believing Christian. I struggled with Prop 8 quite a bit before reaching this decision, because of who I know and what I know, but this is ultimately what I've chosen to follow, and at least for me, it makes me feel okay. I just don't appreciate being called a bigot. That, I will not tolerate, because I see no difference in that kind of hate as with the kind of anti-gay sentiment that exists among many fundamentalist Christian organizations.
Great post, Tiffany. I hope it inspires some healthy conversation on this issue.
Mike, thank you for your thoughtful comment. It is definitely not without merit. However, I do believe that gay marriage has the potential to infringe on the rights of children. Homosexuals will be able to adopt more readily than they do currently. Children have the right to be born into a family with a mother and a father, not two of the same. There is definitely more behind that, but I'm sure you've heard it all. Just an idea I'm throwing out there.
I really can't take it seriously that the California courts say marriage is a right. They decided that their votes counted more than the millions cast by Californians who voted for traditional marriage in 2000. Their decisions mean nothing to me now considering they think they know better than the citizens they work for.
You're right that lots of money has been given to this cause that could have been used else where. Yet, no cause, AIDS or otherwise is sufficient to ignore the desires that God has for his children at this time. I felt compelled to do what I believe in and I'm glad that you stand by your convictions!
Thanks Jacob! It's nice to know there is some support out there for this cause! I think it will be pass, but we'll see tonight.
I am tired of hearing people complaining about the supreme court, be it the California Supreme Court or the US Supreme Court. The purpose of the supreme court is to interpret the constitution by overturning laws. It's one of the checks-and-balances. They are not beholden to the electorate. This is a crucial element of our American form of government. That is why the supreme court was unable to rule on this issue until Prop 22 was passed. There had to be a court challenge. The supreme court didn't simply call down legislation from their courthouse. Whether you agree or disagree with their ruling, the supreme court was functioning precisely as designed by the founding fathers.
You state, "...no cause, AIDS or otherwise is sufficient to ignore the desires that God has for his children at this time." I cannot believe in a God who cares more about keeping two people who love each other from making a life-long commitment than he does about children suffering and dying. You state that children should have the right to be born in a home with two parents of mixed gender. Isn't it more important that children be raised without fear of dying within 10 years?!
Proposition 8 will change nothing, nothing whatsoever, regarding same-sex parenting and adoption. Same-sex unions have the same protections regarding adoption in California as would same-sex marriages.
With regards to Parker's comments, with all due respect, I recommend that you look into the facts. Nobody's tax-exempt status in Massachusetts was brought into question. You are probably thinking of the adoption agency. This case has nothing do to with same-sex marriage. It was all because of Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws. Also, note that this was a problem because they were discriminating solely on sexual preference. LDS Family Services continues to function as normal in Massachusetts. You so clearly stated the problem with your statements yourself, "While this is all speculative and almost entirely unfounded..."
Ultimately, it all comes down to whether or not you believe that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and actually speaks for God. If you do, then reason and rationality has no say in the matter. God has spoken and it falls upon his children to obey, even if they don't understand. I personally do not believe that Thomas S. Monson speaks for God.
I do believe that President Thomas S. Monson is the prophet and speaks for God. However, my reasoning goes even deeper than that. However, I'm not going to go into depth on my blog about my beliefs. It is not the appropriate place for that.
I knew that anything I said in my comment could give reason for more disagreements.
I do not mean to say that God does not love or care for his children who are suffering with life-threatening illnesses. Many of us struggle with things of that nature everyday. Five years ago I was diagnosed with a lifelong illness (with no potential cure) that could eventually leave me completely disabled. However, I have never felt more loved by God than in moments of despair and sadness. Some trials can be blessings. This life isn't meant to be easy. We will all suffer, some more than others. We each make choices and fight different battles everyday. Today, this is my battle.
Wow Tiffany! Controversy! I love it! I love how you stated that this is your battle. I'm glad prop 8 passed, thanks for fighting the battle. I don't really want to get into this argument, but sometimes I wonder.... yah. I'll just stop.
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