Sunday, October 19, 2008

Pass it on....

I’ve recently spoken with people in our community about Proposition 8. Several I’ve encountered said they didn’t agree with gay marriage. Yet, they weren’t sure if they should impose their beliefs on others.
I’d like to point out that four California Supreme Court judges had no such pause as they overturned the voice of the people. We will find out on Nov. 4 if the majority’s view has changed on this issue, but before you mark your ballot, be sure you know just what you are imposing upon others.
In the state of California, same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as married couples under the Domestic Partnership Law. A “no” vote doesn’t give same-sex couples rights they don’t have now. All it does is change the meaning of a word, one that has, since the beginning of time, signified the committed relationship between a man and a woman.
It’s true that those of us who want the definition of marriage to remain what it has always been are imposing our beliefs, but when the majority speaks, the imposition is honored — or at least that’s how it used to work in this country. A “yes” vote on Proposition 8 doesn’t take anything away from anybody; it does however, reinstate the voice of the people.

http://www.whatisprop8.com/religious-viewpoints.html (Evangelical,Protestant, Jewish, Catholic, LDS)http://www.catholicvote.com/ (Catholic)http://www.adventistsfor8.com/Info.aspx (Adventists)http://www.preservingmarriage.org/ (LDS/Mormon)http://protectmarriagesd.com/ (For pastors & churches)

Saturday, October 18, 2008

It means more than you know....

Yes on Proposition 8: California Protect Marriage Constitutional Amendmentby Rich Deem
Introduction
On November 4, 2008, Californians will vote on Proposition 8, the Protect Marriage Constitutional Amendment. In March, 2000, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 22, which stated, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." However, the California State Supreme Court declared Proposition 22 unconstitutional by a 4-3 vote on May 15, 2008. Proposition 8 restores the exact wording of Proposition 22 to the California state constitution reversing the activist decision of those four California Supreme Court judges.
Marriage is not a right!
Contrary to the claims of the anti-prop 8 forces, marriage is not a right. Marriage is a responsibility and a legally-binding contract intended to stabilize families with children.
Marriage has always been restricted
Numerous laws exist that restrict the ability of certain people to enter into a marriage contract. First, marriage is only allowed between adults, not minors. Second, marriage is only allowed between two individuals. Multiple partner marriages (polygamy and polyandry) are not legal. Third, marriage is not allowed between closely related individuals (brothers, sisters, and first cousins). If marriage is declared a fundamental right of all individuals, then all restrictions to marriage would be declared unconstitutional, opening the doors to polygamy, polyandry, incest, and child marriage.
Marriage is for procreation, not recreation
The reason why marriage is already restricted only to unrelated adult males and females is because the marriage contract is designed to stabilize a family so that children can be born and raised by a male and female parent. Marriage is all about procreation and not recreation. Individuals, whether they be heterosexual or homosexual, are perfectly capable to showing love towards others without entering into a lifelong marriage contract.
Prop 8 does not limit gay rights
Proposition 8 does not take away legal rights from anybody. Any two individuals in the state of California may enter into a domestic partnership, which, by statute, grants them all legal rights and responsibilities of married individuals (Family Code 297.5).
A "right" of gay marriage will restrict the rights of others
Where gay marriage has already been enacted, the rights of others have been abridged. Here are some examples:
In February, 2007, the judge in a Massachusetts case ordered the teaching of the homosexual lifestyle to children in public schools.5
In March 2007 freshmen were told not to tell their parents about Deerfield, Illinois High School's pro-gay seminar and were required to sign a confidentiality agreement.3
In March 2007, a Massachusetts high school banned parents from attending a seminar for students on how they can know they are homosexual.4
In February 2008, a professor was fired from San Jose Evergreen Community College after being accused of providing an "offensive" answer out of the textbook to a student's question about heredity and homosexual behavior.2
In April, 2008, an Albuquerque photographer was fined over $6,000 for refusing to be hired to photograph a lesbian couple’s commitment ceremony.7
In May, 2008, a black administrator was fired from the University of Toledo, Ohio, for writing an editorial objecting to the comparison of black discrimination to same-sex marriage.1
In September, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that California doctors who have religious objections to artificially inseminating same-sex couples can no longer refuse to treat them.6
In September, 2008, A Placer County couple's marriage license was denied because they had written the words "bride" and "groom" next to "Party A" and "Party B".8
In October, 2008, First grade public school students were taken on a field trip to watch their lesbian teacher's wedding. The indoctrination of young minds has just begun!9
In October, 2008, An intolerant opponent of Proposition 8 violently attacked an injured a Proposition 8 supporter.10
Conclusion
Proposition 8 is not about rights, but is about protecting marriage and families against the destruction of traditional marriage through the actions of four activist judges. If the institution of marriage is declared a right for all individuals then any laws that restrict that right will be declared unconstitutional, requiring that polygamy, polyandry and incestuous marriage be made legal. Vote YES on Proposition 8.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Do Whats Right...

I believe in human rights. I believe in civil liberty. I believe that no government or law of man has the right to compel anyone or any entity to perform any act or service contrary to his own beliefs as long as his beliefs does not constitute harm to others. This is the reason why I will vote yes on Prop. 8. Prop. 8 will reaffirm the voice of the people in California that marriage is between a man and a woman. And those four activist judges in San Francisco cannot and should not be the voice of the populous overwhelmingly passed what was then Prop. 22 in the year 2000. Preserving the definition of traditional marriage is important for California and good for our society.
I am not prejudice. I respect individual rights and the freedom of choice. I have neighbors who are gay. They are good and decent people. I respect their rights to choose. I accept them as what they are. I don't impose my values on them and they don't impose their values on me. But if Prop. 8 does not pass, the law will demand their values be imposed on me. All businesses, all entities and all of us will be compelled by law to treat all marriages without distinction. The schools in California will be compelled to teach children and that children must accept that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage. Any child does not accept all marriages are same would be construed as breaking the law. Churches will be forced to perform same-sex marriages even if that is contrary to the church's position. Churches would not be able to use their doctrinal beliefs to defend their positions.
The opponents viewed this as another scare tactic. I wish this is only a scare tactic but it is the truth. It is happening in states such as Massachusetts where same-sex marriage is legalized. Passing of Prop. 8 will protect individual liberty, protect our schools from mandatory teaching same-sex marriage to our children and protect our churches from performing marriages contrary to their doctrine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkv6miGIcTUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmZaHbGgXH8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-MwVKe1oT0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PgjcgqFYP4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY1k10IqN_ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeUJd4y87iU

It's Simple...

Why YES on Proposition 8?
First of all, if you have no idea what Proposition 8 it, it's a bill that is being voted on in California.It will place into the California Constitution these words, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." This was already passed by 61% of Californians (about 4 million people) as Proposition 22 and then, outrageously, overturned by four Supreme Court Judges.As much as I'd like to write out a lengthy, involved reason on why I think Proposition 8 should be passed, it's really not that complicated. I live my life by the Word of God (the Bible). The Bible clearly states that marriage is between a man and a woman and anything apart from that is sin.It's not a question of liking or disliking homosexuals (I like them), but a matter of disagreeing with that lifestyle (the Bible calls it sin, although no different from gossip, lying, etc..) and protecting marriage as a God-ordained, not man made, institution.

What part don't you get?

Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage between any two adults is of the same worth, regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.

Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.

Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: "traditional marriage," or "family values" because, after the same-sex marriage case, it is "hate speech."

It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already lost (e.g., photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages; doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors). Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money – your money – that will be spent on such legal battles.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Protect California.

Empowering Families exists for the purpose of taking the hurt out of relationships and strengthening the family. Proposition 8 on the California ballot in November, supports those two purposes. If it is defeated, the sanctity of marriage will be destroyed and its powerful influence on the betterment of society will be lost. A defeat would result in the very meaning of marriage being changed to nothing more than a contractual agreement between individuals. No longer will the best interest of the child and families even be considered.
The marriage of a man and a woman has been at the core of society since the very beginning. Much research has found that the ideal environment for a child to be raised is with both a father and a mother living together in the same home to even entertain the thought of anything less than that for our children.
Divorce and death already disrupt the ideal situation for children and as a society, we need to put the best interest of our children first, which has been proven to be in a traditional home with a father and a mother. Voting No on Proposition 8 would destroy marriage, as we know it and cause profound harm and hurt to children, families and, in the long run, to our society as a whole.
Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage, not about attacking a gay or lesbian lifestyle. It does not take away any rights or benefits already enjoyed by the homosexual community. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protection and benefits” as married spouses (Family Code §295.5). Prop 8 will not change any of that.
In 2000 nearly 2/3 of the voters passed Proposition 22 to reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage and four activist judges in San Francisco overturned that vote calling it unconstitutional. That is why it is necessary for those same 14 words to now be presented as a constitutional amendment. Those 14 words are:
“Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
By amending the California Constitution, the courts will be required to uphold traditional marriage instead of overturning the will of the people on this issue again.
Proposition 8 is endorsed not only by Empowering Families, but by a wide range of local, state and national organizations as well as other businesses and individuals. To learn more and to view a list of supporters, visit http://www.ProtectMarriage.com.
To become involved on a personal level, getting the word out on Prop 8, you can call ProtectMarriage.com at: (916) 446-2956.

Keep Up The Good Work.

Proposition 8 on the California ballot, which would negate a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing homosexual "marriage," appears to be gaining strength.

Previous polls have shown the traditional marriage supporters trailing, but a new one by a San Francisco CBS television station shows Prop. 8 is ahead 47 to 42 percent. "Ten percent are still undecided. It means it's still a close race, but the shift still seems to be taking place," says Randy Thomasson of SaveCalifornia.com. The pro-family activist believes success will depend on two factors -- encouraging people to vote, and getting Christians to vote according to the Bible. Thomasson is hopeful pastors will take an active role as the election nears. "They've got to be men of God who are bold and courageous and say, 'God says marriage is only for a man and woman,'" he adds. "We all must be Christians, not just people who say they're Christians and do not follow Christ in this matter." Thomasson attributes the new poll results in part to a new television commercial that does an effective job of selling the traditional view of marriage as well as the homosexual activists imposing acceptance of their lifestyle on everyone else.