Much of my family still lives in California, where I grew up, and are fighting for a rital foundation of our society-keeping marriage between a man and a woman. Here in AZ we are fighting a similar battle with prop 102. California had it's own version of prop 102 (prop 22) about 5 years ago. Prop 22 passed with 61% but was recently overturned by judges. Now they have prop 8. This letter my mom wrote brought up issues that had never occured to me and I thought I should pass this on. I know she wouldn't care if this letter was used if anyone wanted to send this to any non-member friends that don't see the long term ramifications to our country and liberties regarding religious freedom.
Dear friends,
I try very hard not to be a scaremonger or politically offensive, but I truly am convinced that Prop 8 must be passed, not only because of what could happen immediately, but because of what it could lead to. I think we're at a major crossroads in defining our civilization and our 1st amendment rights.
Please view the video and read the article below.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713 video interview with a Massachusetts public school parent who ended up in jail for requesting notification of what his son was being taught.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486191 NPR article on legal battles between gay rights and religious organizations.
As you're probably aware, Catholic Charities had to shut down its adoption clinic in MA because it refused to place children in same-sex households. The NPR article documents further instances of "gay rights" v. religious beliefs. It's not much of a step to the next concern: that any church that won't perform same-sex marriages may be denied tax-exempt status and freedom of worship. As documented by NPR, there are always radicals who will push any law to its extremes, just to see if they can.
Private religious organizations and schools must be allowed to adhere to their own beliefs. To ask otherwise is to ask members to commit blasphemy.
And as a public school teacher, I am personally growing more and more concerned that I might be asked to advocate or endorse something I cannot condone because of my religious beliefs. Tolerance in the public schools is absolutely appropriate; advocacy is not.
The passage of Prop 8 will not revoke or change any existing civil liberties; it only maintains the traditional definition of "marriage" as between one man and one woman, and allows its religious observance to be preserved. Last time, when we passed Prop 22--which defined traditional marriage in a statute--I spent very little time working for the issue. At that time, I didn't really understand the consequences or what seemed to be dire warnings. Now they seem all too clear.
I generally try not to push my political agendas publicly, and apologize if you have found this offensive in any way, but I think this cause is too important not to speak up. Much as a stone thrown in a pond sends ripples to the shore, please consider what ripples this stone could cause in our most precious first amendment rights.
Love to you all!
Further information is available at
http://ProtectMarriage.com , and have I yard signs available in my car if anyone wants one. Please be sure to VOTE!
Having tolerance without condoning.We can love someone while still maintaining and advocating our standards and beliefs.
Unless Proposition 8 passes, California society will soon undergo a profound change in its basic understanding of marriage and family life.That will affect everyone in numerous ways. 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.
Proposition 8 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.
Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children.If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive "age appropriate" information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.
My mom's words: And teachers will be required not just to acknowledge all relationships with tolerance (as we should, and do), but to accept those relationships publicly as equally moral--which my faith will not allow me to do.
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.
Last night we made our plain, average pumpkins into spooky Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns.
Emma carved this pumkpin from beginning to end all by herself. It turned out so cute!
Some people just aren't pumpkin goop fans
Tonight Dana, Eli and Dad Kleven set-up the haunted porch so come and check it out tomorrow night...if you dare.
A few of my favorite things about her...
