Our family had the opportunity to go precinct walking in support of Proposition 8 to be passed in California. It was kind of a nerve racking experience because I had never done anything like this before, but it felt so good to get out into the community and stand up for something we feel so strongly about. In case some of you don't know what is going on in California, four judges overturned the legislation about marriage being between a man and a woman, so that any two people can get married. Proposition 8 is going to be on the ballot in November to restore the traditional definition of marriage. If Proposition 8 is passed, the state constitution will read "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."
I am normally not one to discuss politics very much, but I feel families are so important, I have to publicly share my views on the matter. (After all, I majored in Family Life, so of course I support this!) First of all, it makes me very vexed that even though California already voted on this issue back in 2000, and 61% of people voted they wanted to keep the traditional definition of marriage, that 4 people decided they wanted to change something that would affect everyone!
I have heard some people argue that times are changing and same-sex marriage is the next wave of the future, so to speak. I will NOT stand for such deceitful reasoning. In Genesis, we learn that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their great wickedness and grievous sins, which I understand to include sexual sins. A few years ago I was able to travel to Europe and visit the ruins of Pompeii. As our tour guide gave descriptions of this flourishing city with a library and reflectors in the streets, it would seem that the inhabitants there were very wise. However, our tour guide also showed us remnants of the city that showed their wickedness and sin. I do not want to go into details, but the analogy used was that the inhabitants ordered sexual pleasures from a menu, just as we order food from McDonalds. At that moment I understood why that city was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius. The volcanic eruption was no coincidence in my mind. I have no doubt that the city was too wicked because of sexual sins. This is what remains.
The ruins of Pompeii; June 2004
Our society is stained enough by the effects of death and divorce on families, and allowing same-sex marriage would take an even bigger toll. I have heard people say that while they would not marry someone of the same sex, they do not want to take away the rights of other people. One misunderstanding that these people have is that by allowing same-sex marriage, it is actually affecting their rights. Schools would be required to teach that there is no difference in same-sex marriage and traditional marriage between a man and a woman. For those concerned about money, it will cost a lot of tax dollars to change all of the curiculum, yet this is not ever mentioned. I am personally more concerned that my daughter would learn about something of that nature in school.
In addition, this proposition is NOT about taking away rights because people who are in same-sex relationships may still have civil unions. I am not trying to offend anyone. I hope that my words are bold, but not overbearing. I believe that everyone on this earth is a special child of God who all have agency. I do not believe that people who consider themselves gay or lesbian are bad people. I believe that families are forever. I believe we have the power and duty to stand up for what is right. It is not enough to just believe it ourselves, but we must act!
I am normally not one to discuss politics very much, but I feel families are so important, I have to publicly share my views on the matter. (After all, I majored in Family Life, so of course I support this!) First of all, it makes me very vexed that even though California already voted on this issue back in 2000, and 61% of people voted they wanted to keep the traditional definition of marriage, that 4 people decided they wanted to change something that would affect everyone!
I have heard some people argue that times are changing and same-sex marriage is the next wave of the future, so to speak. I will NOT stand for such deceitful reasoning. In Genesis, we learn that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their great wickedness and grievous sins, which I understand to include sexual sins. A few years ago I was able to travel to Europe and visit the ruins of Pompeii. As our tour guide gave descriptions of this flourishing city with a library and reflectors in the streets, it would seem that the inhabitants there were very wise. However, our tour guide also showed us remnants of the city that showed their wickedness and sin. I do not want to go into details, but the analogy used was that the inhabitants ordered sexual pleasures from a menu, just as we order food from McDonalds. At that moment I understood why that city was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius. The volcanic eruption was no coincidence in my mind. I have no doubt that the city was too wicked because of sexual sins. This is what remains.
The ruins of Pompeii; June 2004Our society is stained enough by the effects of death and divorce on families, and allowing same-sex marriage would take an even bigger toll. I have heard people say that while they would not marry someone of the same sex, they do not want to take away the rights of other people. One misunderstanding that these people have is that by allowing same-sex marriage, it is actually affecting their rights. Schools would be required to teach that there is no difference in same-sex marriage and traditional marriage between a man and a woman. For those concerned about money, it will cost a lot of tax dollars to change all of the curiculum, yet this is not ever mentioned. I am personally more concerned that my daughter would learn about something of that nature in school.
In addition, this proposition is NOT about taking away rights because people who are in same-sex relationships may still have civil unions. I am not trying to offend anyone. I hope that my words are bold, but not overbearing. I believe that everyone on this earth is a special child of God who all have agency. I do not believe that people who consider themselves gay or lesbian are bad people. I believe that families are forever. I believe we have the power and duty to stand up for what is right. It is not enough to just believe it ourselves, but we must act!
These are some pictures of us standing up for what we believe in. I could go on a lot more about this subject, but this will have to do for now because Kelsey just woke up!
For more information, visit www.protectmarriage.com
Here is a video of one way families will be affected if Proposition 8 does not pass. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815820715?bctid=1822459319
3 comments:
Megan, I loved your post! I think we really need to look at what is going to happen if proposition 8 doesn't get passed...
1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. 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 will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are 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 has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. 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, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.
Thanks Virginia! I don't think that some people understand the consequences of allowing same-sex marriage, and you have outlined them very well! Proposition 8 is not about eliminating rights or trying to proclaim that gay people are inherently bad. We are taught to love all people equally, but loving someone does not mean we have to condone a certain lifestyle that goes against our beliefs.
Post a Comment