One thing that has been made very clear to me as I have weighed the arguments for both sides of the same-gender marriage issue is the fact that there is no neutral ground in this debate (other than to not vote, an option I hope nobody chooses). Those in support of legalizing same-gender marriage erroneously argue that the issue is simply about getting society off the backs of a minority group -- they argue that those who oppose same-gender marriage are meddling in an issue which has nothing to do with them. That is not true.
As has been documented in earlier posts on this blog, a no vote on Prop 8 will curtail the freedoms of anyone who opposes same-gender marriage. Right now, only 7 months after the supreme court legalized same-gender marriage in California, churches that disagree with same-gender marriage here have already been forced by courts to perform same-gender marriages. Photographers who do not believe in same-gender marriages have been forced to take photographs same gender marriages. In Canada, where same-gender marriage has been legal a little bit longer, a law has been passed that makes it illegal for church leaders to teach the doctrine that homosexual behavior is wrong, labeling such teaching as "hate speech."
Those who oppose Prop 8 claim that it deprives a group of people of the right to marry. Those who support Prop 8 claim that legalizing same-gender marriage deprives them of some of the most fundamental rights provided in the American constitution.
Two groups claim that their rights are being violated. Either way you vote, you're going to offend someone. The question is, which rights are more important?
Do we value freedom of sexuality more than we value freedom of religion? If so, what's next? Whose sexuality can we legislate after homosexuality? What about a mother and her son who have a sexual relationship and want to get married? Should we discriminate against them and deny them the right to get married? What about two 12 year old children who are very mature for their age and say that it's not fair that they aren't allowed to be married? Isn't that discrimination? Who says it's not right for them to get married? How would you like a court to force YOUR church to perform that marriage?
If you vote no on Prop 8, how will you answer these questions? You will have voted in a way that curtails the elements of society that keep everybody in line - you will have voted to silence the moral authorities in our society that define what is right and what is wrong. Without being able to say "We can't legalize that because it is wrong", what will you say?
Will you turn to scientific studies about whether or not such behavior is harmful? Why would you, when you had previously rejected the abundance of scientific evidence that suggests that same-gender marriage will cause a GREAT deal of harm to our children, especially those who are raised in same-gender households?
The problem with our modern concept of "civil rights" is that we have separated it from its most fundamental principle - RIGHT. We need to stand up for what is right this November. Please understand that a no vote on Prop 8 is not a vote to stay out of peoples' business. You're not sitting on the fence by voting no on Prop 8. Please understand the issues, and vote YES on Prop 8 on November 4th.
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Of course I see you do not link to a single piece of evidence that any church has been "forced" to marry couples of the same gender. It doesn't happen, no more than churches are forced to marry people of different faiths if they don't want to, or to marry people of different races. Nor has any church in the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Massachusetts or other places that have marriage equality been forced to comply. It's an absurd lie on the face of it.
Of course, by voting for proposition 8, you take the rights my partner, I and OUR CHILDREN already have.
I assume you'll be not showing this comment, but lets hope you are open to discussion.
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