I can’t believe Prop 8 actually passed! I’ve been so out of the loop as far as keeping up with the news that I got my election coverage from Ireland (via a phone call)…But when I got the text message from my sister asking me how I voted, I just assumed it had failed. Apparently folks are far more concerned about the personal lives of others than I expected.
And you can imagine my surprise when I reply to my sister’s text that I had voted against the proposition and she shoots back, “What’s up with that?”
I’m thinking duh…Isn’t it obvious?
Apparently it wasn’t to her. “Don’t you believe in marriage the way God intended?”
Oh wow…here we go…
I felt my anger rise at her bigotry, and even more so because I remember a time when she was tolerant, if not accepting of alternate lifestyles. Now she’s voting to write discrimination and hatred into the Constitution and getting angry at me for not doing the same?
She sent me some shit about the sanctity of marriage being under attack from “the enemy” (read: the devil) and that it had nothing to do with religeon but God.
While I do understand the distinction, my understanding of what God intends varies slightly from what so many, more indoctrinated Christians believe. I’ve read the Old Testament; the stories of waring tribes, the laundry list of ritual, tales of tragedy and hope…
I’ve read the New Testament…The gospels tell of a man who had fully embraced the God within and all of the power that came along with that, while encouraging others to do the same. He and his followers performed miracles, raised the dead, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind…but it was really about the faith…We could all do these things and greater if only we embraced the power of God within.
Jesus…this son of God – spirit made flesh – also refused to judge people. Well, that’s not completely true. He did toss a few tables and chairs in the temple in frustration with the clergy…But when those self-righteous busy bodies wanted his permission to stone an adulteress, he ignored them, instead doodling on the ground. When pressed, he challenged them to examine themselves first.
What does all of this matter? Because it’s about the compassion and love for others regardless of their lifestyle choices; regardless of whether or not you agreed or thought it was right in the eyes of God. And people, Christians, seem to forget this compassion in their quest to save the souls of the nations. Instead of focusing on their own lives, and being an example of God through the way they lead their lives, they wish instead to impose their doctrine and dogma on others.
Well, my vote against Prop 8 had nothing to do with being Christian. It had nothing to do with whether or not I agree with same sex marriages or the redefining of marriage. It was purely about freedom and compassion. It was about tolerance and acceptance.
What business is it of mine to deny two people the right of being legally married; of validating their love with a promise of forever? This kind of dedication to love does not erode my sense of commitment, it had no baring on my right to marry. The ads against the proposition talked about kids learning marriage in schools; a bogus scare tactic. Fear is the enemy, not the validation of love between two people.
The vote to pass this horrible discriminatory bill has chipped away at our collective freedoms, in favor of religious fear and bigotry. Way to go folks…
I’m truly disappointed…
It disgusts me.
I believe in God and appreciate religion, but I honestly do not believe people are wise enough to utilize it properly. They bastardize beliefs with human wants and needs to the point it doesn’t stand for anything meaningful anymore.
The core essence of compassion is love. God is love. Why don’t they see that?
Similarly, they should stop hating on Harry Potter.
I ask myself the same question all the time Keane…Why don’t people understand that God is love. I think at the root of the problem is the constant need for control. It’s rather sad actually. I wanted to cry when I found out the prop passed.
It’s so disappointing. You’re right Kim, fear can be a terrible thing but it’s absolutely worth overcoming.
Prop H8 is disgusting and revolting to me. How dare we presume to take away people’s right to marry whomever they choose? It makes me almost physically ill. I want to move o ut of this state, if this is how the majority of people here think and act and believe!
I’m still reeling from the idea that people could have voted for this! I’m angry at churches, several with long histories of abuse of peoples, who feel it is their right to fund hate legislation like this.
Kymlee, you are so right on about this. It truly is a shame that we, as a collective society, couldn’t see the blatant discrimination that prop 8 was laced with. If we can’t even get passed this in California, it’s not looking good for the rest of the country…
Well said.
What I would really like is for one person to explain to me in a cogent manner how allowing gays to marry threatens the “institution of marriage”. How it can be considered “redefining marriage”. How, in short, it in any way affects the lives of anyone but those taking the actual vows.
I am an open minded person, and I am always willing to consider another point of view. But, when it comes to withholding rights from a segment of the population, I do require some modicum of logic in order to have a sympathetic ear. Baseless fear is simply not reason enough.
Well written.
Marriage is now, and always has been a contract.
That’s why if you file jointly you get tax breaks.
It’s in the best intrest of the *government* (not the churches) to support homosexual marriage,
because then you’ll be able to keep track of people much better.
And with a more definate comittment between gay couples then maybe heterosexuals will start to take them more seriously as a group. A lot of people rubbish gay relationships because they don’t seem serious. Then give them the ability to prove themselves.
Let’s go for a gay president in 2012!
Keith Olbermann made me cry.
He made me cry to Aine…
sorry your sister flipped as far as i’m concerned porp. 8 makes no damn sense just let people go their own way and be happy don’t get in the way of just becouse you have an opinion voice your veiws and leave it the hell alone you can’t force your perspectives on others
or in short form i agree
I am so glad you posted this. I have sent it on. I hope more people do speak out about this too. Great job, thanks a lot!!
Californians should write a lot of letters to their local representatives,
Very well said! I have sent the link on to others as well. I still find it amazing that in California, of all places, this could happen…