Prop 8 Protects Marriage and Children
Posted by: Ken Mettler | 09/06/2008 12:37 AM
We need to support and vote Yes on Prop 8 which states that "only marriage between a man and a woman is legal and recognized in California." If it does not pass, homosexual marriage will be legal in this state to the detriment of our children.
1) Children in public schools will have to be taught that homosexual marriage in just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (S51890) Therefore, unless Prop 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage can be man-man, woman-woman, or man-woman. There will be clashes between the secular school system and the rights of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2) Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to place orphan children not in homes with a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors to providing adoption services in Massachusetts because the courts legalized homosexual marriage there.
3) Textbooks will be changed. California is a large textbook market and thus textbooks modified for California will become the norm for all of the USA.
4) Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for homosexual couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
Additionally, think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
1) Children in public schools will have to be taught that homosexual marriage in just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (
2) Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to place orphan children not in homes with a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors to providing adoption services in Massachusetts because the courts legalized homosexual marriage there.
3) Textbooks will be changed. California is a large textbook market and thus textbooks modified for California will become the norm for all of the USA.
4) Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for homosexual couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
Additionally, think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
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Great points, I've linked to your post from Right of Same Sex Marriage = Newspeak • Yes on 8 protects rights
http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/released/marriage/Newspeak.html
Interesting analysis. California's direction and the looming vote on Prop 8 certainly sets into motion a great number of consequences that either side cannot possibly yet foresee. The conflict you discuss between religious and secular teachings is interesting, but I don't fully understand how legalized gay marriage will actually impact churches from the points that you make.
For example, point 4 talks about religious institutions that offer married housing. While I understand that recognizing two men as 'married' is against the ideals of the church, certainly they could simultaneously provide housing to same-sex couples (conforming to secular law) while continuing to teach that homosexuality is sinful (following religious teachings), right? Nothing is being taken away from the church in its ability to proselytize, just in the actions it can take to discriminate against individuals. I suppose I just view the argument that legalized gay marriage leads to religious intolerance to be somewhat tenuously linked.
Laws against racial and sex-based discrimination, after all, ran contrary to some church teachings when they passed, but institutionalized religion has not suffered. I guess I fail to understand how same-sex marriage is as cataclysmic as this article seems to purport.
You are so right.
The textbooks in CA are so liberally-biased already. I bet they can't wait to 'indoctrinate' our children in the gay lifestyle. You saw that brouhaha in Kansas with just a mention of creationism in schools.
I personally would rather all orphans go to traditional married couples ONLY. NO single 'parents' either. We all know that homosexuals pretend to be straight just so they can get kids. No that is just too risky.
Marriage is under attack. Quickie divorce, no blood tests, interracial marriage. No, we must draw the line here.
Baloney. Prop. 8 won't protect your marriages or your children.
Ron Prentice Gets Rich Fighting Gay Marriage
Ron Prentice is CEO of the California Family Council and Chairman of ProtectMarriage.com, the committee behind Prop 8 (the folks working to ban gay marriage in California).
Ron is set to be be honored at the Values Voter Summit 2008 (September 12-14) with Focus on the Family Action's Family Champion Award.
Justin McLachlan has broken a major story in the Proposition 8 battle: California Family Council contributions have mostly been spent on the generous salaries that Ron pays himself and his staff.
So far, there’ve been about a dozen news and blog pieces that have appeared online referencing Justin’s research into Ron Prentice and his shady management of donor funds.
Folks volunteering for and making contributions to the “Yes on 8″ campaign should be aware that the operatives running the show have a track record of using contributions to generously reward themselves.
http://justinmclachlan.com/08/46/california-family-council-money
Wow, most of what you posted here has been debunked by legal scholars as pure myth. That charity in Boston, btw, still very much open.
Gay and lesbian couples can already adopt in California, propostion 8 will do nothing to change that either way.
Religious institutions are already required to provide housing to gay and lesbian couples in domestic partnerships -- proposition 8 will do nothing to change that either way.
And a judge has ruled that the proposition 8 folks have to stop using the lie you mention in point 1 -- because it is unequivocally not true.
Why don't you stop being sheep and stop listening to everything that's forced down your throat from the pulpit.
As a happily married heterosexual, I have to say that you closed minded people are what scare me while gay marriage just doesn't. I'm sorry that you'll have to teach your kids about love between couples of the same sex, I know it must terrify you. It's your job to teach whatever values you feel your kids should have, not the government's. If you want to teach them to hate, go right ahead, but I'm not voting for it.
In the interest of fairness, I'll assume that you are not a liar. Regardless, almost NOTHING you said in your post is true. For your education, and for those who read this in the future, I will offer you the real facts. I am personally familiar with these issues because I am a law student and I have studied these specific issues extensively.
1. Public Schools and Textbooks
The California Education Code requires that students be taught the legal obligations and responsibilities related to marriage. This can easily be done without reference to a married couple's sex or gender and without placing a value judgment on which families are "better."
Even if California schools were required to teach students about same-sex marriage (which, I repeat, they are not), all reputable studies have shown that two parents are better than one and that parenting quality (NOT gender) plays the most important role in healthy child development. In short, even though California schools will not be required to teach about which families are "best," scientific research and many religions agree that families with same-sex parents are just as good as families with opposite-sex parents.
2. Religious Institutions
The Supreme Court ruling said, “[A]ffording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”
Propisition 8 will not require religious groups to change anything.
2a. Religious Adoption Agencies
Adoption law is separate from marriage law. Allowing marriage equality has no legal impact on adoption. Same-sex parents can already adopt children in California since 2003 (or prior, I'm not positive on that). Proposition 8 will not change that. Also, see response 2, above, regarding religious practices.
Additionally, note that Massachusetts' Catholic adoption agency ceased its adoption functions (although not all functions) because Massachusetts law prohibits adoption agencies from discriminating against gay people in adoptions. Same-sex marriage had nothing to do with that law, they are completely separate.
2b. Religious Schools and Housing
See response 2, above, relating to religious practices. It is already against the law in California to discriminate against someone in housing accommodations and education. Proposition 8 will not change that.
3. "Unintended Consequences"
There are "unintended consequences" to every policy the government makes. Heck, there are unintended consequences to getting up in the morning. This isn't a convincing argument; it's little more than a pathetic scare tactic.
Point: We didn't allow mysterious "unintended consequences" to stop us from ending segregation in America or allowing interracial couples to marry. Congress didn't let "unintended consequences" stop them from restricting abortions in the third trimester. Why on earth would "unintended consequences" stop us from doing anything.
Also, equal marriage is already the law in California. If anything in this election will result in "unintended consequences," it will be what happens if Prop. 8 passes.
Like I said, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are not lying to convince people to vote how you would like. However, you really should educate yourself on a topic before making unfounded claims.
I am so happy Prop. 8 passed. Yeah!