Like many others, I have become very interested not only in the outcome of the most recent election, but the wave of protests against the outcome.
I was involved in the Prop 8 campaign and I have spent many hours reflecting on the many arguments and concerns brought up by both sides of the issue.
The courts, judges, taxes, schools, rights, etc. have been hashed over and gone back and forth many times, but what seems to be missed is the issue of morality.
Californias had a rare opportunity to vote on an issue that did effect the marital union between homosexual couples, but morality was the basis for the religious response to the proposition.
Fears of tax exemption and child education are valid concerns, but when an issue arrises that seems to transcend the typical political agendas, isn't a religious individual or organization obligated to define their position and support it?
I understand that many people don't see this as an issue of morality; they see it as an issue of equal rights. That being said, if a person or organization believes that immorality (sexual relations outside of marriage) is wrong, then they have the right to vote and support that issue as much or as little as they choose. Furthermore, if they believe that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman, they can support that (and everything that goes along with that) as well.
If a proposition was placed on the ballot that required all dog-owners to spay or neuter their pet, the people in favor of the proposition have the right to support it as they will. Those who oppose it have the same right. Such it is with any issue given a place to be voted upon by the people. And after the people have spoken, we must adhere to the outcome because that is the system we follow.
It is interesting that many of the protestors against Prop 8 hale the system when it is in their favor and curse it as they find themselves in the slim minority. Think of the praises and support that the opposers of Prop 8 would be giving to our electoral system if they were in the majority. It is unfortunate that the game is played whole-heartedly until the tides turn in the favor of the opposite side.
About a year ago, I made a decision about the way I was going to live my life. If I support something, then I am going to do what I can to truly support it. If I oppose it, then I will do what I can to appropriately fight against it. Passivity in life seems to be of little worth when trying to move in a direction you feel is right. When it was announced that marriage would (once again) be voted on in California's general election, I immediately knew how I felt and how I would vote. My next thought was, "How will my gay friends react to my decision?"
I realized that I could not convince every gay person that my motives were strictly a matter of morality. I also realized that when an issue is so closely connected to personal beliefs and feelings, it is hard to honor the freedom of the opposition without taking it personally. I was amazed at how this proposition polarized so many people. It is unfortunate that it seemed to incorrectly resolve to the cries of hate and discrimination. Loving our fellow man is not the same as accepting a lifestyle believed to be incorrect and in opposition to moral standing. It is possible (and Christian) to be able to sincerely love a person while disagreeing with behaviors you feel to be contrary to Christian principles. I believe this is how God intended man to interact.
I have friends who are gay that I like very much and hope them the best in their lives. I believe that if you asked my gay friends how I felt about them, hate and discrimination would not be the verbs they would use even though I was very active in the "Yes on Prop 8" campaign.
Why is this? Because I see this as a moral issue, not a tax or a civil rights issue. I also don't see this as a "my gay friends" issue either and I don't believe that they are "bad" people or at least any worse than me. I do believe that homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle, but I consistently see flaws and unacceptabilities in my own conduct. If there was a proposition against using fowl language, procrastination, short-temperedness or impatience, then I would be in the guilty party from time to time. Though when I go to exercise my right to vote, my heart will have to vote in-favor of the proposition because everything I believe and hold to be true tells me that it is the right thing to do. I respect my friends and their decision to live as they will. I do not see myself as better than them and I believe they know this. I am grateful for friends who are so accepting and respectful of my personal beliefs. I return the acceptance with love and when we go to vote, we do so according to what we personally believe is best.
Such it is with Proposition 8. It is not a matter of "H8." It is a matter of morality.
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