Follow-up to Proposition 8 Post

Proposition 8 seems to endanger more for those who support traditional marriage if not passed than it gives to those (gays/lesbians) who would benefit by Proposition 8 failing. What about the rights of those who believe in traditional marriage? What about my freedom of speech and religion that would be in jeopardy if Proposition 8 is not passed? This is not an issue about Rights. This is an issue about the fundamental definition of marriage. It is a moral issue. The only thing gained by gay couples is the title of their "union", so much more is lost for everyone else.

As best as I can tell, if Proposition 8 does not pass, then the only thing it changes for Gay Couples is the title of their union. Instead of being forced to call it a civil union or domestic partnership, they can now call it a marriage. If they get the "right" to call their union a marriage, what is there stopping them from then asking for equal treatment from society when people talk about families? What is stopping them from demanding that schools, when teaching "age appropriate sex education", teach that a family doesn't matter who is involved. It can be two men, two women, or a man and a woman. Basically, what is stopping them? What about those of us who feel that it is morally wrong? What about my rights? I don't understand how this all became a debate about rights in the first place. In all honesty, this is a moral issue. Is it okay to engage in homosexual behavior? I say no. Others says it doesn't matter and that either side should be treated the same. I disagree. That is almost (emphasis on almost since homosexuality is not against the law) like saying, well you really shouldn't do drugs, but it is your choice and everyone should be treated the same regardless of whether or not they do drugs.

If Proposition 8 does not pass, what is stopping gays from demanding that churches treat them as equal to anyone else asking to be married? Sure, Supreme Court judges in their over-turning of the "voice of the people" said that Churches would not be forced to change their views, beliefs, or policies regarding gay marriage. I find that hard to believe. Why wouldn't a gay person seeking to get married who gets turned down by a Church or minister not get angry or try to sue for prejudiced behavior. Why would they not consider it a hate crime if one Church or Religion (Catholics, Mormons, etc.) stated that they would not allow such marriages to be performed by their clergy or in their buildings?

I think this whole thing really goes back to what the fundamental purpose of marriage and sexual relations. The reason people get married is to form a family. Now, I'm sure that gay couples can have families, but it is not the same. Because traditionally, marriage was a front-runner to sexual relations. You do not have sex until you are married. Society today seems to think that is a crazy notion and that it doesn't really matter as long as you are "safe". But, that disregards the fundamental reason we have sexual relationships; to pro-create. That is what sex is for. Sure, it brings pleasure to those participating (usually we hope), and you do creating a deeper bond with the person. However, the fundamental reason for having sexual relationships has been from the beginning of time to pro-create or replenish the species. Proposition 8 does not take away any of the rights that are given to gay and lesbian couples who form a domestic partnership. They already have all the same rights and privileges under the law that traditionally married couples do. The ONLY THING a NO VOTE changes is the definition of the gay/lesbian relationship and the traditional definition of marriage. Through all of time, until recently, marriage has always been between only a man and a woman. This is natural. This makes sense. I believe this is the way it was intended; if it wasn't then why can't two men or two women pro-create?

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8 AND PROTECT THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE!! VOTE YES on PROPOSITION 8 to define marriage the way it should be and was intended to be, only between a man and a woman!! Redefining marriage will be detrimental to society. Children need the different types of nurturing that can only come from a Father and Mother.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8!!!!

California Proposition 8 Affects more Than Gays!!

So, the November election is coming up very quickly. In California we have the opportunity of once again voting on whether or not we want marriage to be defined as between a man and woman or not. In 2000 61% of the state voted that they did, but a few months ago 4 supreme court judges decided to go against the voice of the people and legalize gay marriage. We are not trying to get the State Constitution changed to include the same language that was on the proposition in 2000. Those who are against this proposition say that it is an issue of rights. That gays should have the right to be married. What about the rights of parents, what about the rights of those who believe in traditional marriage?

If California's Proposition 8 does not pass, there will be ramifications that those trying to defeat it do not want you to think about or look at. First, if the proposition doesn't pass it is very likely that something like what happened to the family in this video could happen in California. Basically, if the proposition doesn't pass, public schools will have to treat all marriage as equal. Since schools have curriculum for K-12 that involves sex education that is age appropriate, they will be teaching our children in elementary school that marriage between a two men, two women, or a man and a woman is the same thing. I don't know about you, but shouldn't parents have the right to teach their children about moral issues, and not have them go to school and get confused just because the law says it isn't any different? I for one, do not want my daughter or any other children that may come, to be forced to learn that marriage is between any two consenting adults regardless of gender.

The next big thing that could be affected if proposition 8 doesn't pass, is that religious adoption agencies will receive pressure to allow gay couples to adopt children from their agencies. Most of these adoption agencies have guidelines that dictate the types of people that are allowed to adopt children and it is usually based on the sponsoring church's beliefs. In Massachusetts, after gay marriage was passed the Catholic Adoption Agency received pressure, and instead of giving in closed their doors.

One last thing to note, is that if proposition 8 is not passed, then Churches and their members will be affected. There are many churches that do not support the idea of gay marriage, and if the proposition is not passed they would likely be asked to either perform the marriages, or open their doors for the marriages to be performed within their buildings. If they chose not too, they could be attacked on their tax exempt status, with people claiming that the government should not be supporting an institution with tax exemption that is "biased". Also, members of churches could be seen as intolerant and promoting intolerant views by teaching the same doctrine that they have always taught because it now happens to go against the newly passed law. Why should churches have to have their status jeopardized for doing the same thing they have always done? What happened to freedom of religion? Shouldn't I be able to not only believe what I want, but tell others what I believe without being accused of being intolerant or having it considered a hate crime? What happened to freedom of speech?

Those who are against proposition 8 want you to think that this proposition is taking away the rights of gays. In reality, it isn't. They will still have all the rights that they currently have under the civil union and domestic partnership laws, but will now be able to call their union a marriage. In the process, they will be taking away or jeopardizing the rights of all other Californians to free speech and freedom of religion. They will also put in jeopardy the rights of parents to teach their children. What about everyone else's rights that will be violated or taken away if Proposition 8 doesn't pass??

So, if you support Traditional Marriage, or even if you don't care much about the marriage part of the issue, think about the other rights that are being violated or taken away if the proposition doesn't pass. NOVEMBER 4th - GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

Conference

General Conference was amazing. I particularly liked President Uchtdorf's talks from the General Relief Society Broadcast and the Saturday Morning Session, as well as President Monson's talk at the end of the Sunday Morning Session. They seemed to speak to my soul. It is often hard during the daily struggles to remember all the good things that we should do, but the reality is that these things are what help us through the hard times and I need all the help I can get. I have decided to really make an effort to apply the messages from conference into my life. I hope that what I have learned we will be able to apply into our lives as a family. ~Rachel

Personally, I really enjoyed the last hour of the Priesthood Session. That is probably partially due to the fact that this particular hour was when I was most alert during the 10 hours of Conference over the weekend. It also has to do with the fact that the First Presidency took up that hour. It was really amazing. I don't think I've ever seen them all talk back-t0-back like that before. The whole session was good, but the last hour really stood out to me. I missed most of the talks because I was either struggling to stay awake (Saturday Morning, Sunday Afternoon) or I was fighting with Hannah (Sunday Morning) or I was distracted because of where we were watching it (Saturday Afternoon). I know, that is a bunch of excuses, but I really didn't get to hear or couldn't focus on most of the sessions. I will have to wait for the Ensign to come out and read them (I know I can go online and hear the sessions again, but that just seems a little weird, you know, like having Church on a Thursday night or something...)