Proposition 8 - why it matters

Today Rick's sister Robyn (who lives in CA) sent an email to Andy with this paragraph that I thought I'd include here: "Right now I am writing to all my friends about the anti gay marriage proposition that is probably going to lose in CA. We are all getting persecuted for our beliefs. People are saying we are intolerant bigots. Today I am composing a letter to the editor. My friend who wrote to the editor got crucified in the paper, but I have to have courage. After all, our ancestors crossed the plains in handcarts."

Below please find some resources to check in order to fully understand some of the implications of Proposition 8 (Defining Marriage) on the California ballot and how important it is to all of us whether we are a California resident or not. This information is very critical to our country's future stability, protecting our children and grandchildren for generations to come and affording them the best chance for happiness in this life within the time honored structure of marriage and family.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children. If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will be required to put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive "age appropriate" information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches. The court's decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs. Including adoption agencies.

A YES vote will not hurt gays. In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.
On Friday, October 10th, 2008 a first-grade class took a field trip to witness a lesbian wedding in California. Click Here for the article from the San Francisco Chronicle. A father in Massachusetts was frustrated when his twin kindergartners were taught about homosexuality at school by the teachers. He insisted he be notified in the future before such things were discussed so he could pull his boys out of school. He was taken to jail. Click Here for the story.A Catholic adoption agency In the UK closed their doors because of the Government's new homosexual equality laws. The Equality Act forbids discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was forced through Parliament last year despite past Prime Minister Tony Blair's recommendation that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the rules. Click Here for more info.

Earlier this month judges in Conneticut overturned the state law (just as the judges in California did) to legalized gay marriage. This is not just an issue in California. Californians voted years ago to keep traditional marriage as the only marriage recognized in the state of California, 4 judges overturned their vote…and again, Californians need to fight back. That is what this Proposition is about. This is happening everywhere and the leaders of the church and others have warned that the outcome of California's vote will affect the way the other states vote.

If this proposition doesn't pass, it could eventually have an profound effect on everyone!

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, "You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven't time to be concerned for others." Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service andour hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord." --Thomas S. Monson


Click Here for excerpts from the Broadcast given by Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton.A good resource mentioned in the broadcast: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

November 4th: Election day. Polls close at 8:00pm. This election may be one of the most important in our life time for many, many reasons.

Hopefully, this information has been helpful. Even if you don't live in California you can make a difference by emailing this to all your contacts and getting the word out. Whether you are into politics or not...this issue is so INCREDIBLY important. I can't stress that enough. So get the word out: VOTE YES ON PROP 8 in California and Prop 102 in Arizona.