Well this has been brought up a lot lately. Although all the votes have been placed, I think I should post my opinion. If you don't know, Proposition 8 will define marriage in California to mean only a union between one man and one woman. It will add exactly 14 words to the California State Constitution:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
My personal beliefs and morals force me to go towards a YES on this, making gay marriage illegal. But then I think it through. My personal beliefs are not everyone elses, which makes it my opinion. It is absolutely WRONG to create a law like this that will deny a group of people their rights, based on an OPINION. Why should people who don't believe in what the Bible says, have their rights taken just because other do believe if they don't think it's true? Why should people who don't believe in God have their rights taken because of a book they think is a bunch of lies? Something they think is completely fake is hindering them from being "equal." How fair is that?
On the other side, there are also issues deeper than this. Right now, 96 percent of California public school districts must teach "respect for marriage and committed relationships" without showing any bias regarding sexual orientation. Unless Proposition 8 passes, all of those school districts will be required to teach children in grades K-12 that same-sex marriage is equal in every way to traditional marriage. What if a parent doesn't want their child exposed to this?
Also, churches may have their tax exempt status challenged or revoked if they publicly oppose same-sex marriage or refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. WHY should a church that DOESN'T AGREE WITH GAY MARRIAGE based on Gods word be required to allow it in their church. What happened to separation of church and state? People who always complain about this are now the ones that are intertwining them! Someone who believes what God says to be true shouldn't be getting married in the house of God knowing God doesn't want it anyways.
There are so many more things to think about when voting on this. Churches and religious schools are threatened with lawsuits and government fines just for doing what they think is right.
In the end, everyone will pay. Changing the definition of marriage will generate a flood of lawsuits which will inflict heavy legal costs upon the parties who are sued and upon their business customers, which means you. So do a little thinking and research before you claim to have an opinion that can be backed up!
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2 comments:
You're right, it's an extremely complicated and multi-faceted issue, making it hard to call. I believe that two homosexual people who want to commit to each other should be able to do so, and I believe they should be given the same legal rights and protections as married heterosexual couples. However, I don't see why this can't be a "civil union," or addressed by another term. "Marriage" is more than just a legal union and a public proclamation of your love and commitment to one another. "Marriage" is a term that also includes a religious aspect at its center. It is a holy union under God, and blessed by Him. This is why I personally have a problem with "gay marriage." I feel the same way about atheists using the term, because if they don't believe in God, how can they be united under Him? As for the churches, I think it's quite silly for people who don't believe in God and his Word to get married in a church (for the previously stated reason). To me, religious faith is a big part of the act of marriage. It's too bad that our definition of this sacred union has become so twisted and blurred throughout time. Again, I'm not opposed to gay unions, and I hope that gays will soon be given the same rights as straights are, all across the board. I just wish marriage could go back to what it used to be, and what it meant to be.
Hope I didn't ramble you to death! Good job actually educating yourself and thinking it through before blogging. You're fantastic! =]
Haha. I love long comments!
I agree. A "civil union" can be the exact same thing as a "marriage." All it would be missing is the religious factor. We have freedom of religion, and freedom not to believe. But if you don't believe, you can't have something that is given by God (the blessing of a 'marriage'). It's like Atheists celebrating Christmas. Obviously that isnt as big of an issue politically, nationwide, but it's just as ridiculous to celebrate the birth of Jesus as it is to expect to be married under a god you don't believe in. It's unfortunate that people can't respect us in that sense.
At the same time though, not everyone thinks religion is at the center of the term, making it an opinion. Like I said, it's not really right to take it away from someone who doesn't agree with that. Then againnnn what is being taken? A word? Who cares? Gay people are still viewed the same whether it's called marriage or civil union. Their rights aren't being taken away by not being allowed to be called married. But ya know what, it's a WORD. It's like me saying "oh no i can't be black :(" It doesn't matter what I'm CALLED. I'd still ALWAYS be white (unless I pull some crazy Michael Jackson stuff) and people would view me the same.
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