Protecting Our Moral Rights

The following news article is from a post on my friend Jeanne-Marie's blog. If you want to read the whole post, you can find her over on the right under "Lincoln Links." I read the whole thing and felt very disturbed by the potential consequences of legalizing gay marriage in this country, even if it's only a state at a time. I've always been opposed to it, but never so aware of how it could affect everyone until now. I've heard people before say that they don't care if same-sex marriage is legalized, because it won't affect them or their families. But I'm learning more and more about just how untrue that is.

Following the news article is a video clip that shows short portions of a broadcast from LDS Church leaders about Proposition 8 in California, which will be voted on next month. I believe that it is our duty to do everything we can to stand up for what we believe in--because the opposition always seems to be so loud in their opinions--to protect our rights and more especially the rights of our children and grandchildren. The thought of the consequences if we don't literally frightens me. I only find comfort in knowing that the Lord is on our side and wants the best for my children even more than I do myself.

I also want to make it clear that I have no personal hard feelings against those with same-sex interests. I'm not a hateful or vengeful person, especially not in that respect. But it's not a lifestyle I condone, and I don't want it forced on my family or my beliefs, which is what will happen if it's legally recognized as equal to the sacred institution of marriage between a man and a woman.

What Happens If California 's Marriage Protection
Amendment (Prop 8) Fails?
By Glen Greener
Editor's Note: Because California has no residency law, it will be exporting its same-sex marriages to the entire nation. No matter where you live, you may find yourself dealing with these consequences listed below.

We are trying to contact personally every registered voter in California and you can help no matter where you live. The LDS Grassroots leadership has asked Family Leader to create 800 calling teams-people in groups of 5 or 10-who will call California voters, following a script, and tell them how much this issue means to the future of America. While they and other churches are mobilizing thousands to walk precincts, you can help from the comfort of your homes. If you use a cell phone, most plans allow unlimited weekend calling minutes, and if you live in the Eastern or Central time zones, you can use free late-evening minutes on weekdays to call when Californians have just finished dinner.
We need your help. It is not difficult and we will give you very specific instructions. If you are willing to put together one of these 800 calling teams, please provide your contact information, including email, address and phone number to Family Leader's executive director, Peter Knobloch at pknobloch@san.rr.com and we will contact you to give you further information. You do not need to know the issue well. We will give you an easy script to follow.

At our home, we are going to volunteer like this. We are going to choose a Tues, Wed. or Thurs. night and invite people over with their cell phones for a calling party complete with refreshments and the camaraderie of dear friends. We think it will be fun to stand up together with our friends for something we believe in.


With Labor Day behind us and kids back in school, California voters are beginning to ask deeper questions about Proposition 8 and wondering what will happen if same-sex marriage is permanently legalized. The answers are unsettling. Consider these consequences if Prop 8 fails.
1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code (§51890) already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults 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.
2. It will lead to more government intrusion into private lives . A photographer in Albuquerque refused to photograph a lesbian couple's civil union ceremony. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission fined the photographer $6000 even though there were other photographers willing to accept the business. And this in a state where same-sex marriage is still illegal.
3. It will lead to speech monitors. An employee at the City of Oakland was threatened with termination for using the terms “natural family, marriage and family values” while discussing a public issue with co-workers. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal backed up the district court saying administrative efficiency in a government office is more important than free speech. Today it's municipal employees; tomorrow … who?
4. Anti-discrimination regulations will become more important than religious beliefs. In Vista , California , a lesbian couple sued a doctor who refused to perform a requested artificial insemination because of the doctor's religious beliefs. Although another doctor offered to do the procedure, the California Supreme Court held unanimously that the “1 st Amendment's right to the free exercise of religion does not exempt defendant physicians here from conforming their conduct to the … antidiscrimination requirements.” An elective procedure, no emergency involved, another doctor willing to do the procedure. Anti-bias laws will outweigh religion.
5. Churches will be sued over their tax-exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. While pastors, priests, ministers, bishops, and rabbis may not be forced to conduct such marriages themselves, they will be required to allow such marriages in their chapels and sanctuaries.
6. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts .
7. Religions that sponsor private schools with married-student housing will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
8. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada , one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage. If a government agency such as the Alberta Human Rights Commission can stop a minister from teaching his church's doctrine about marriage, then it won't be long before everyone's free speech rights will be in jeopardy.
9. It will cost everyone more money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already decided adversely. 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, your church contributions – that will be spent on legal battles.

Think of a world where Human Rights Commissions – unelected bureaucrats with unfettered authority – are judge, jury, and executioner of anything they feel is antagonistic speech toward same-sex marriage and its practitioners.
Think of a world where the judicial system relegates long-held religious beliefs to second-class importance behind anti-bias laws and a newly discovered protected class of people.
Think of a world where the public school system is required to teach values and beliefs to your children that may conflict with your own.

Think of the very real threat to your parental rights, your free speech, your freedom of religion.

And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
It's your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your freedoms.
Lets work together to protect them.