evan, lindsay, nina, elena and esther

Last week we went to a meeting for members of our faith that was broadcasted through several states. We learned more about an issue that will be on the ballots in the state of California - the definition of marriage and family. It's called Proposition 8. Since I don't have the best language to explain it all, there are a lot of sites that are really informational on some of the facts and also some of our beliefs as latter-day saints:

Same Sex Marriage and Proposition 8
An article from NPR
The Family: A proclamation to the World (an LDS church publication from 1995)
Protect Marriage- an organization in favor of prop 8

Here's trying to explain it in my own words: There was a vote taken a while back in CA to define marriage. The majority of CA residents voted in favor of sticking with the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman. Afterwards the supreme court of CA overturned the vote and decided that such a narrow definition of marriage is unconstitutional. (meanwhile a bunch of other states have reviewed the same case and decided that redefining marriage is unconstitutional) The only other state to have done this so far is Massachusetts. Since the CA supreme court overturned what the people themselves decided, the vote now goes back to the people in November. If proposition 8 passes, basically the people keep what they originally voted for. If it fails, the CA supreme court's ruling is the new policy. Something important is that proposition 8 will not deny gay couples rights such as hospital visitations or otherwise discriminate them.

Even though we don't and never have lived in California, we know a lot of people who do, and it's important to be informed about it even though California is another state. Every vote counts. Every voice counts. Especially with a baby on the way ;) Being a student of sociology, I recognize how value systems change in a society - one person, then group, then political unit, and so on at a time, until a new value is institutionalized with new expectations and priorities. Changes in society don't happen instantly but in degrees and stages, and unless people inform themselves and actively voice their opinion, with time other voices will overpower the silent ones. This is one opportunity for people, even outside of CA to raise their voice because if these changes can happen there, they can happen anywhere. And it is likely that if family is redefined in California, it will eventually happen elsewhere as well. Also I was thinking that with the influencial position the US has in our globalizing world, who knows how far reaching the changes will be outside of the US. The family is the most basic unit of society and any change to the family will have effects that can't even all be foreseen.

Here are some of the things that could (and likely will) happen if marriage is redefined:
- Children will be taught the newly decided definition in schools and there will be no room legally to teach it any other way in the classroom. Therefore the classroom will be where children learn to believe in a certain way.
- The belief in marriage between a man and a woman as the only right way will not be tolerated publicly. This means that we'll be stuck with forfeiting one of two basic rights - freedom of speech or freedom of religion. They won't be able to coexist if the definition of marriage is officially changed in political language.
- One thing that happened shortly after Massachusetts passed the redefinition of marriage -- Catholic adoption agencies in Massachusetts were forced by law to arrange adopted children to be raised by homosexual couples. Legally, there wasn't room anymore for their beliefs to dictate how they organized adoptions. Rather than give up their beliefs, they opted to close their adoption services altogether.

As always I was impressed by the thoughtful and respectful way the issue of same sex marriage was addressed by our church leaders. It's not our place to demean anyone who chooses a different lifestyle. The first two commandments are Love God and love your neighbor. That includes everyone even if they have different beliefs or choices. The question I then ask myself is: is it possible to love others and at the same time not tolerate their choices? The answer to that question is something we have to learn about for ourselves. I believe that you can, if love guides your thoughts and actions. This is one amazing thing about the nature of God - He is capable of infinite love while upholding eternal truths. That means that He doesn't tolerate just any type of behavior because knowing all, He can see what the result of certain choices will be, and His ultimate goal is our happiness.

After all is said and done, I don't think voting in favor of maintaining what I believe to be the true definition of marriage will do anything to marginalize or discriminate against homosexual couples. If that were the case I wouldn't be in favor of it. If you have any different thoughts or ideas, I'd love to learn more.