My parents live in California, and they voted yes on Proposition 8. In case you’ve been hiding under a log or stuck on Mt. Scott without television or radio reception, Proposition 8 is the California ballot measure amending the Constitution to include the provision that the only recognized form of marriage is between a man and a woman. Over 1/2 of the states ban same-sex marriage, so to me the fervor is a bit misplaced. Moreover, it’s odd that such raucus events would occur on a 3rd attempt to ban same-sex marriage in California. From my neo-Christian view, it seems clear that a majority of the population does not want same-sex marriage. Granted, it’s a slim majority (only 4%), and if the African-Americans would have voted "for civil rights," or better-yet, not have voted, the Amendment would have failed.
As it is, we’re stuck (or blessed) with this legislation. What’s shocking is the reprecussions of some political activists at one particular toward one group of people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (in full disclosure, I am one), is taking a massive blow in the media, and by the activists for, its members’ participation in the "Yes on 8" campaign. I think most people are shocked that this doesn’t affect the Church’s tax-exempt status (it won’t because it’s a bi-partisan political issue, supported on both sides), and how this isn’t an interference of church and state (it isn’t because the state is not telling it’s citizens to vote/act in a particular manner supporting a particular religion).
Many clearly erroneous, and hate-filled comments are being directed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What makes me wonder is why others aren’t opposing these actions? Oh wait, I know, it’s because "they’re Mormons, and they’re weird." You’re going to tell me that you treat Jews, Muslims, or other Christians in this manner, and you’ll casually pass it off as "they Jews, and they killed Jesus," or "they’re Muslims, and they don’t believe in my God," or "they’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they’re annoying"? That’s ludicris! The truth is that over 150 different churches supported this action. So to single out one religion, and stand by innocently, is unfair.
What’s more, it’s unfair to target businesses because they supported the Amendment, through money or other donations. It’s the American right to vote, and to vote one’s conscience. By telling someone how to vote, and then ridiculing them because they supported the actions is UnAmerican. GO TO CANADA, MEXICO, OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT OR NEED YOU.
This is the American system, and any person or entity that encourages differently does not deserve the American system. I’m sure there were a multitude of people who were discouraged by the results of the election (I know 3 people in the office who were saddened), but they moved on, handled the situation and their loss. I haven’t seen anything but hope and encouragement from the McCain supporters for their President-elect.
I’m confident the chaos and criticism will not end soon. The most I can hope for is tolerance and far less childish behavior.
