While going through my Google alerts, I found this letter written by John and Robert, a gay couple who support Prop. 8 because they choose to affirm their families' beliefs and oppose the disrespect shown by some in the GLBT community that openly mock the religious beliefs of others.
I post only part - for the rest, see http://www.californiaconservative.org/liberals/gay-men-support-prop-8/
The backlash we face is significant, but the activists never thought about this.
Churches have a RIGHT to worship in peace as they choose. NOBODY has a right to disrupt, intimidate, protest, or disrespect these services, no matter what their agenda is.While I may not agree with many of the Church’s doctrines and teachings, out of respect and tolerance I remain humble, quiet, and respectful during the proceedings.
I take great offense to anyone in MY community who demands the “right” to get married, yet thinks nothing of trampling the rights of others to worship in peace as they choose and believe.Proposition 8 has forced us and others like us to make a choice: A choice between “going with the flow” and voting as gay men OR protecting our families values, their right to worship in peace, and their right to their religious institutions (like marriage).
We have news for many in our community: When our community condones, supports, or tacitly approves of such baiting tactics, then you can bet we will cross lines. We will protect our families and all the beliefs they hold dear regardless of what mainstream West Hollywood or San Francisco will be doing.
Prior to this ballot measure, we were really indifferent to the whole
matter. However, as voters and as a gay couple it has now gotten personal. We
are now being asked to make a choice between our families and our community.
We have news for all those angry-bitter people in our community; we choose to protect our family from the gay activists who threaten our families’ beliefs and religious institutions. This is a no-brainer.
Please take the time to comment on John and Robert's letter and show them your support - I'm sure they'd appreciate it!
For more information go to http://whatisprop8.com/
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8 comments:
churches can still choose not to wed gay couples. It will always come down to a separation of church and state. If the Catholic church can refuse to wed a non-catholic, surely any church can choose not to wed a gay couple. This is about whether or not to ban religion state-wide, not about disputing a church's rights.
Thanks for voicing in, Carrie. There's much more to Prop. 8 than religion, as noted in some of the posts below. I just wanted to share this man's perspective on the issue.
yeah, but I don't think his argument holds water. Glad we're all talking about the issues, though, of course.
looking at the posts below, but don't see any reasons that don't amount to religious freedom (which is a red herring). Am I missing something?
Thanks, Carrie - I'm glad we're discussing, too! I enjoy hearing other people's opinions on both sides of the debate.
The "Sometimes love just ain't enough" post specifically sticks to non-religious arguments. When it comes down to it, people vote in harmony with their most closely held beliefs - call it conscience or religion or whatever. Many of the pro-8 arguments do have basis in Judeo-Christian morals and values, I'll agree on that - but there are also sociological proof points to consider.
Well, I responded to those points below. I find it difficult to believe that people actually oppose gay marriage on those points alone, since they seem to completely hinge on whether gay couples can adopt once they are considered married (which would seem a better thing than foster care at least), or whether churches will be forced to wed gay couples.
"churches can still choose not to wed gay couples. It will always come down to a separation of church and state."
Except that religious-based adoption agencies have been shut down because of their refusal to work with gay couples. Why? Because it is considered a "social" service, not a religious one. How often have I heard the argument that marriage is no longer a religious institution, but a legal one?
How long before the courts decide that a church does not have the right to refuse marriage services to a gay couple?
A registered charity, religious or not, gets funding from the state. It doesn't have to. You aren't required to become a 501(c)3 and receive federal funding. If you do, you have to abide by anti-discrimnation laws. Churches are not federally funded entities. Charities are.
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