California's Prop 8

2008-10-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

There is no disputing that marriage is defined by God in the bible as a sacred union between a man and a woman. There is also no disputing the fact that the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. However, Proposition 8 is a state issue, not a church issue, which will determine if we are willing to take away the rights of people. I think we really need to think about the impact passing Prop. 8 will have on the image of Christians as “followers of Jesus.” Prop. 8 is about how the State of California defines marriage and the rights of gays and lesbians as it’s citizens. Prop. 8 is not about how the church defines marriage.

I would definitely support Prop. 8 if it were true that organizations of faith might lose their tax exempt status, because I value religious freedom over marital freedom. Unfortunately, it seems supporters, and even pastors who have already spoke on this topic, did not do the two easy Google searches I did to find out what the California Supreme Court stated in it’s May 15^th ruling…

“Finally, affording 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 official will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 4.)”

If it was also true that our schools would have permission from the State Supreme Court to indoctrinate our children on alternative lifestyles, I would be in favor of Prop. 8. If voting yes on Prop. 8 would eliminate this from happening regardless of marital status, I would support it. But yet again, the facts are that Prop. 8 addresses the fact that our school system is protected from this as outlined in our State Constitution. A rebuttal against Prop. 8 states…

“Fortunately our children already have the State’s Constitution on their side when it comes to health and family issues. “…no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school.”

Also, for the first time in my 15 years of voting, I was responsible and read the proposition from beginning to end. I was becoming sick and tired of all of the Christian right rhetoric I was hearing that had no base for their argument. Prop 8 only has 2 sections and a total of 51 words. Yes , I counted each word and number.

Section 1. Title

This measure shall be known and may be cited as the “California Marriage Protection Act.”

Section 2. Section 7.5 is added to Article of the California Constitution, to read:

Sec. 7.5 Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”.

Clearly it says nothing about protecting our children’s education. It doesn’t protect our clergy. It only redefines how marriage would be recognized by the State.

One Complicated Soul

California's Prop 8