As expected, when the California Supreme Court judges released their opinion that they would uphold Proposition 8 -- there was a >>>LOUD<<< response by the homosexual community. Interesting thing is, the court also upheld 18 thousand same-sex marriages that from the perspective of many opponents to SSM, should never have happened.
Why then, are you and I NOT out marching the streets, carrying signs and spouting hate speech toward gays? It doesn't matter what state you live in, either -- this issue affects everyone. Anti-Prop 8 protesters are demonstrating in cities all across America! Couldn't we be actively protesting that the full intention of Proposition 8 was completely ignored by the Supreme Court? Yes, we could.
However, contrary to what many proponents of SSM believe, Proposition 8 was never an anti-gay issue. Nor should it be seen as an anti-Mormon issue, either.
As I ponder these pictures and video that I have posted, showing many who decided to take to the streets in protest of the Prop 8 decision, I am filled with compassion. I realize that most on those streets, could not begin to understand these feelings, coming from a "Mormon".
I don't profess to understand "all things" by any stretch of the imagination. But, I do know, that the FAMILY as God has ordained it, is central to our Heavenly Father's plan; and therefore we are called to protect and preserve the Divine Institution of marriage, which is vital for our eternal happiness.
The Church issued the following statement following the California Supreme Court Decision on Proposition 8:
"Today’s decision by the California Supreme Court is welcome. The issue the court decided was whether California citizens validly exercised their right to amend their own constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The court has overwhelmingly affirmed their action.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the deeply held feelings on both sides, but strongly affirms its belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The bedrock institution of marriage between a man and a woman has profound implications for our society. These implications range from what our children are taught in schools to individual and collective freedom of religious expression and practice.
Accordingly, the Church stands firmly for what it believes is right for the health and well-being of society as a whole. In doing so, it once again affirms that all of us are children of God, and all deserve to be treated with respect. The Church believes that serious discussion of these issues is not helped when extreme elements on both sides of the debate demonize the other."
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
AS you stated the LDS church, unlike other churches, has NEVER involved itself in ANY political matter. I do find that ironic, since the LDS seem to be the only ones attacked by those in favor of gay marriage~
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley -
ReplyDeletePerhaps it has a "little" do do with the natural man, that can be found in all of us. It is much easier to pick on the "nice" guy, rather than an adversary who will meet you eye to eye and oppose you, with little regard for anything else, other than their position.
Lets face it. Mormons, are nice;-)
tMDg
Hi Kathryn
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me in this post is 2 things, first of all, those banner must have been premade which insinuates that they gay community must have already known that they had little chance of the decision being over turned. The second is what some of the messages read, the one that says 'my two moms can beat up your ten wives' seriously disturbs me for a number of reasons, the main one being...what are they teaching our future children?
I could go on about this for a while but right now i should be asleep but cant! Lol
Keep up the great posts though, I love reading and pondering your words! :)
Debs x
I'm wondering if you had ever considered that, perhaps, you should have more than a religious justification for making laws that affect everyone, and not just members of our church. Why should anyone that is not LDS care one whit about the fact that we believe the institution of marriage is divine?
ReplyDeleteJeremy -
ReplyDeleteGood question, and yes - I actually have given that quite a bit of thought.
But I have a question for you, as well. Why is it that only IF someone Else's opinion or position on SSM is not faith-based, does it then make it credible.
Do you not see, that regardless of how a person forms their ultimate opinion on political matters, it is no business but that persons.
So, if I hold a position that others feel is faith-based, why should they care? My vote, and my right to exercise that vote, is mine -- doesn't matter how or where it originates.
There are many definitions of "what" religion is. Personally, I think you could consider a belief such as atheism, to be a religion as well.
Those who claim to be atheist, make many of their decisions, as well as vote accordingly, based on the belief that there is no God; thus no ultimate "law". That's what they BELIEVE.
I vote according to my conscience. Just like EVERYONE else.
tDMg
No state constitution recognizes the Divine Institution of Anything.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you LDS Nana!
ReplyDeleteI am sick to death of people telling me that because they find the place where my political opinions originate to be unfashionable, that therefore I am not entitled to the same freedom of speech and civic franchise that they are. The minute this country allows someone's rights to be validated or disqualified on the basis of popular sentiment is the minute this country dies and is replaced by an imposter.
And yes, I realize that this sounds like what has already happened to opponents of proposition eight, but that's only if they conveniently forget that it's not about legal rights, which in many cases they already have, and which most supporters of proposition eight would gladly not deny them. The opposition to proposition eight is all about the increased social normalization of that which ought never be normalized. The stigma attached to that lifestyle is there for a reason, and I have a right to teach my children that that behavior is unnatural, sinful, and nasty beyond expression. That would be unreasonably difficult if the government endorsed it and society was able to successfully bond it to something as fundamental as the institution of marriage.
Further, marriage is a religious institution. The government has no business messing around with it. But since it's already involved to the extent that it is, it ought to help defend it. Defending it includes refusing to allow certain groups to drag it through the mud in which they are wont to wallow. They are attempting to redefine something sacred, when it is absolutely unnecessary for their enjoyment of legal rights and their lifestyles. They just want to take something away from us due to their contempt for it and us. Normally, I'd say it's just something we have to endure, but marriage is too sacred to be trampled in this way with immunity.
I'm all for tolerance, but I will never accept something evil, and I believe that separation of Church and state means that the government cannot compel me to.