Recently a friend of mine on Facebook was horrified when I became a supporter on Facebook of Proposition 8:
LOL, I wasn't mad about that nearly as much as I am about your support of the fascist marriage ban!! I, personally, could not care less, but come on marco! Its just not democratic or fair to write bigotry and discrimination into our constitution!!! Tell me what you think OTHER than saying it is what god deemed so...
Hmm..."God deemed it so" is so easy and so right and so sufficient, isn't it? :) OK, maybe not for all of California.
Anyway, I have also spoken to Christian friends, who believe that God did design marriage to be between a man and a woman, but who will surely vote no on Proposition 8 because they don't think they (or the government) has the right to tell people who they can and can't marry.
I have been pondering this for some months now because for me, if it's clear that God prohibits it, I think it should be law. Now that is NOT to say I am into instituting a theocracy. Let's be clear on that; Jesus certainly wasn't or he would have done so, instead of dying for our sins on the cross instead. I think it's really clear that pluralism is good. All religions should be tolerated and no one should be forced to become a Christian. But that said, there are PLENTY of ways we do, and can, and must legislate from the Bible. The basis of our government and laws is based on Judeo-Christian, Biblical principles. Of course I'm going to vote (or elect representatives who will vote) that stealing is illegal. Or murder. Or variations of the above.
And granted, this subject of gay marriage is, in our culture and time, a bit more gray than the issues of cold-blooded murder or burglary. I do get that. But it is still my responsibility as a "co-ruler" of this country and as a Christian to vote my conscience, and to vote what I think is in the best interest for all the people of this country. That is what anyone does (or should do) when they vote. And I do think governmental, and therefore cultural approval, of gay marriage is hurtful to our society as a whole.
1. It will limit free speech, a clear and defined right in our Constitution. If it is legal, those who (by conscience or faith) oppose gay marriage, will not be allowed to deny services (like wedding photography, officiating, artificial insemination, etc.) or to share their views against gay marriage.
2. I believe it will be bad for families and children (in a similar way that no-fault divorce has been damaging). You can argue with me that there is no evidence for this. And no, it can't be empirically proven because there is no way to separate the effects of gay marriage in countries where it has been legal for a significant period of time from the other cultural attitudes and trends that led to it being legalized in the first place. But I have to, as a reasonable person, look at the data and the likely outcomes and make a judgment call. If this is my belief, that it will harm families and children, I would be irresponsible to vote no on Proposition 8.
Below is the text from an e-mail I just received from Capitol Resource Institute, that of all the e-mails on the topic I've received in the last couple of months, I think best sums up my concerns:
Public Schools will teach that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are normal and acceptable-and if you disagree, you are a bigot. Books like "Heather has Two Mommies" or "Daddy's Wedding" will be used to teach kindergartners about homosexual relationships. When parents in Boston complained about an eighth-grade teacher instructing students about gay sex, the teacher responded, "Give me a break. It's legal now."
Churches will be required to perform homosexual marriage ceremonies or face prosecution under anti-discrimination laws. The California Supreme Court recently ruled that medical professionals may not defer treatment to another professional based on their religious objections. In other words, Christians and those with moral beliefs must check their conscience at the door when they arrive at work. The same case law will apply to churches. Pastors will no longer be allowed to refuse marrying homosexuals based on their religious beliefs.
Businesses will be prosecuted for not participating in homosexual ceremonies. A New Mexico photography company is being prosecuted for refusing to photograph the "commitment ceremony" of a homosexual couple. The full force of the government will used to make citizens publicly accept homosexuality.
Married couples will no longer be considered "bride and groom," but "Party A and Party B." A young couple in Placer County wrote the terms "bride" and "groom" on their marriage license, which was returned from the state as an "unacceptable alteration." A husband and wife are legally referred to now as Party A and Party B according to the California government. By redefining marriage, every marriage has already been affected.
The role of parents will be diminished. The family unit is already under assault with no-fault divorce, acceptance of single parenthood, and nanny government usurping the role of fathers. Homosexual marriage worsens this trend by giving government approval to single-sex parenting. Children need both a mother and a father. By approving homosexual marriage, government and society denies children their right and need for both parents.
These are just a few of the negative, damaging consequences of allowing homosexual marriage in our society. When you encounter a neighbor, church member, work associate, or family member who says, "I'm not a bigot-and homosexual marriage won't affect me," remind them of just how much it will impact their family and all families.
This is not an issue of bigotry, but of ensuring marriage isn't redefined by four activist judges. Wanting children to be raised by both of their parents isn't bigoted either. What's truly bigoted is telling Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith that their beliefs must be silenced.
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