Lately I have felt like I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing Proposition 8. I have the blessing of being a scheduler for my zip code for Proposition 8. I am not a very politically involved individual, but am grateful that I have had the opportunity to get involved. I have been spending my free time reading and researching the topic and most importantly, trying to figure our how to get more volunteers to help walk and phone registered voters in our zip code. Proposition 8 is that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Jeff and I had the chance to walk our neighborhood and poll people's opinions on the proposition this past Saturday. About half were for and half were against the proposition, but what amazes me the most is the indifference a lot of people feel about the subject, partly because of lack of information. Below are six consequences if Proposition 8 fails:
1) The California Education Code requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
2) Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public.
3) Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father.
4)Religions that sponsor private schools which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine.
5) Ministers who preach against same-sex marriage will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. (Has already happened in Canada).
6) It will cost money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits.
Our dear Prophet has asked members for their best efforts in defending traditional marriage. The final line in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" states, " We call upon responsible citizen and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." I am gratefuly for my knowledge in our Heavenly Father's plan for us, and am grateful that I have the time and energy to defend it.
