No on Prop 8 Campaign Takes Off the Gloves: "They're Using Lies to Persuade You"

Once again, as Californians, we find our lives being affected by a ridiculously liberal decision of the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, this is not a decision having to do with illegal aliens or car insurance; it is about the institution of marriage. This question up for debate is not about Gay couples in love. If that were really the focus, this proposition would not even be on the ballot.

Most Californians, to include Christians respect the rights of people to live the lifestyle they choose as long as it does not affect them. Californians have tolerated Gay lifestyle even to the point of not blocking efforts to give homosexuals the same rights. What the Gay activists are not stating in their arguments is the fact that California's laws, already provide legal rights to gay couples that are provided to traditional married people. The California Supreme Court's ruling regurgitated another flawed perspective, but this time on same-sex marriage, and it defies all logic and judicial prudence.

The court, totally disregarding the will of the people moved same-sex marriage to a protected class. So what does that mean to you? Well, I am not an attorney but based on what I have witnessed in history, it means that if you oppose homosexuality on moral or religious grounds and teach your children that homosexuality is a sin, it will hurt their feelings and somehow interfere with the rights of same-sex couples, and guess what? I do not have to tell you how skewed the Supreme Court is in this state, it surely does not take a rocket scientist to figure out how the court will respond. Invariably those Judges who are full of misplaced compassion will side with same-sex couples because of their protected class status.

As Californians, we have already become a silent majority because expressing a view in opposition to same-sex marriage often exposes people to personal attacks, exclusion, and even threats of loss of employment for standing for what they believe about marriage. Try working at Disneyland, Google, or PG&E and express openly your views on traditional marriage, and see how popular you become. So, the question many of you are asking yourselves is; how did we get here, who is to blame? The answer…We all are to blame!

Our spirit to stand up for what is right has been eroded by political correctness and fears that as a people we might be accused of being thought of as intolerant or branded bigots. Over the years, we have stood by and allowed the Courts and legislature to pass laws that are contributing to the decay of our culture established by our Forefathers, and is creating a society of self-indulgent individuals that care nothing for the laws of decency and the real freedoms our Country represents. Amazingly, the proponents of this new society have accomplished this by perverting the meaning of these freedoms to include the acceptance of unnatural and deviant sexual behavior and they have done it all in the name of the Constitution of the United States.

I can hear you screaming at your computer screen now, I was trying to be tolerant, and certainly, nothing could be wrong with protecting the so-called rights of a fellow Human Being, could it?

As Americans, we thought we were removing the Government from our bedrooms but unfortunately, that is not where it stopped. Gays with a newfound sense of freedom and acceptance could not leave well enough alone, they had to rub our heterosexual noses in their lifestyle and take what should have stayed in the bedroom to the streets. It was not good enough for them that we were tolerating something that deep down most of us felt was disgusting and corruptive behavior. They demanded that we accepted homosexuality as normal and even teach our children it was ok to be Gay. We now see the consequences of tolerating something that should have never have been tolerated in the first place. This is a perfect example of “giving an inch and losing a mile”.

Probably the most disturbing consequence to allowing this madness to continue is what will happen to our children and grand children. California law provides for the teaching of children about marriage. If you do not know this, ask a teacher. Under the current ruling, our children would have to sit in class and be taught that there is no distinction between same-sex marriage and traditional marriage. Furthermore, it would be discriminatory to view the two marriages in any other way but the same. Ask yourself, would you as a parent have the right to teach your own child the true meaning of marriage? You already know the answer to that question. This is exactly the case in Massachusetts, just ask the Parker family, the Father was arrested for trying to teach his son’s the true meaning of marriage and refusing to allow them to attend school when homosexuality was being taught.

I am not just pulling this stuff out of thin air here folks, do your own research. Another such instance was a teacher taught a second-grade class using a book, which told the story of a prince marrying another prince. Is this the kind of stories you want your children to learn? This is indoctrination and propaganda in its worst form. I can only imagine that all the dead communists and socialists in history are probably celebrating because the tactics being used in this battle are the same if not worse and would even amuse Mussolini.

I read a column by a Catholic Bishop yesterday and he profoundly outlined all the pitfalls for condoning same-sex marriage and homosexuality. I am not Catholic but l was appalled at reading the mean and hateful comments to his expression of ideas from the Gay side of the issue. This is disturbing to think that rather than debate the question these people must resort to slinging mud. It reminds me of a small child that does not get his or her way.

Nevertheless, upon closer investigation of the claims made by Gay lifestyle promoters it seems clear now that they are not aware of what is happening even in their own movement. It is already becoming a hate crime in Massachusetts, for voicing opinions against homosexuality. The Gay and Lesbian blogs are full of denials that they would ever file lawsuits against Churches or demand that schools teach homosexuality; this is just not true. The message that this Catholic Bishop is talking about is becoming fact in both states that allow Homosexuals to marry and if you dig even further you will discover that freedom of speech in some European countries is non-existent when it comes to Homosexual issues.

It appears our Gay friends think that tolerance is a door that swings only one way, and it must be in their direction. The fact of the matter is this, tolerance does not mean acceptance. For that to take place, all Christians would have to accept homosexuality as normal and you might as well ask them to condone abortions. I know a number of Catholics, I know Lutherans, Baptists, Born Again’s, and even a few Mormons, and they will always believe homosexuality is abnormal behavior until kingdom come. Nevertheless, they have always accepted the fact that people make choices and have the freedom to do so with their lives every day. They will even love those people that make the wrong choices, as did Jesus Christ but, to demand that they become advocates of those choices, it just will not happen.

Gays have all the legal rights that a traditional married couple have in this State; no one is going to take them away. Moreover, they do not deserve to elevate their choice of such behavior to a protected class, no more than any other individual or group that makes choices. If we as Christians must be tolerant of Gay lifestyle, then they must be tolerant of ours.

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It is no lie that Church-Exempt Status and Children's Educations would be affected by the defeat of proposition 8. It is called foresight.

First, what will happen IF prop 8 loses? After much celebration of the liberal crowd, they will begin claiming that any church that preaches against same-gender marriages is spewing hate speech (when in reality it is their constitution right). Then they will start petitioning the government that these churches should no longer be exempt because they are preaching against said marriages (which is their perogative). Of course the proposition failing will not IMMEDIATELY take away the exempt status, but it will come. Besides, I have already read on many blogs people calling for the exempt status to be removed from certain churches already--the proposition hasn't failed yet and they are already moving on to the next phase. OKAY, so that proves that's not a lie.

Next, children will be indoctrinated about same gender marriage. This is not a lie. You know those sex-ed classes we all had, don't you remember hearing and talking about marriage. The children will be exposed to homosexual behavior and same gender marriages. Now, in Massachusetts this has already happened. When the parents found out about what happened, what did they do? The requested the school tell the parents that such things were being taught so they could remove their kids from school that day (which is their perogative--we have the right to teach our kids our views, this isn't a socialist-communist country yet). What did the school do? THEY REFUSED. The audacity. What was worse is the liberal judeges upheld it. I'm not letting that happen to my children in California. Okay, that proves that THAT one isn't a lie either.

Tolerance is a two way street. Many liberal condemn marriage traditionalists for maintaining their beliefs but applaud homosexuals for "progressing" the idea of marriage. Many liberals even condemn traditionalists for opposing same gender marriages. This is simply hypocrisy. Tolerance goes both ways. Prop 8 does not take away rights it affirms what marriage truly is.

I voted yes on 8! to protect traditional marriage.

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R. Clayton Huckaby, lets look at your argument for Prop 8. Four out of seven of our Supreme Court justices were appointed by Republicans which belies the statement that the California Supreme Court is "ridiculously liberal." Since Mr. Huckaby says he respects the rights of gays and lesbians as long as it does not effect him and he is so obviously so bothered by same-sex unions, which have nothing to do with straight people, I can only conclude that Mr. Huckaby is gay and somehow misinformed about civil unions which do not provide the same protection as marriage. He seems also misinformed because the Supreme Court was upholding our state constitutions' equal protection rights by stating that same sex couples have the same right as non same-sex couples to marry. This silent majority that tolerates the LGBT community by advocating discrimination and berating our legislature for upholding equal protection for all people regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, especially in such vehement language, is why such laws had to be passed to begin with. So yes, those begrudging "tolerators", like Mr Huckaby, did make their own beds by violating their initial premise - if it doesn't affect them, they won't get involved. Mr. Huckaby, don't be a hypocrite. If you aren't gay then no one is denying YOUR right to believe marriage is whatever you want it to be. Therefore, don't tell anyone else what their definition of marriage should be.

Now as to Deep Thoughts, I applaud his/her visionary acumen. (Would you please use it to tell us how the financial crisis we are in is going to play out?) Deep Thoughts does not KNOW whether churches or schools will be effected. Deep Thoughts only THINKS they will be effected. I have not read of any legal precedent in either case. By the way, in California, "teaching about marriage" falls under sex education instruction and there is a code that mandate's schools must inform parents if they are going to teach any sex education since parents have the right to exclude their children from such teaching. So this is not similar to Massachusetts' law. Further, if you read all of Parker v. Hurley (the case cited by Deep Thoughts) you will see that the case is complex and the parents' claims were along a similar vein as the California father who claimed his daughter's rights were being violated because she had to say G-d in the pledge of allegiance.

Why are parents who are against same-sex marriage so afraid that if their children are exposed to a contrasting point of view the children will right away be indoctrinated, brainwashed. Are you that bad at parenting that you cannot instill your beliefs in your own children?

All the 8 supporters say they are for equal rights. I would bet most also against "big government" that wants to raise taxes, etc. This is nothing but hypocrisy. Prop 8 is social legislation and exactly the same in principle as financial legislation. So stand up for what you really believe in and say you don't like gays and lesbians, you are prejudiced and intolerant of gays and lesbians and you don't want equality in our country. At least then you would be honest.

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It is now being reported that a class of first graders took a "field trip" to attend a same-gender marriage. If proposition 8 does not pass, you can expect more of this. First graders are not at a developmental stage to understand the social implications of such an event. Again, I point to foresight to understanding how churches and schools will be impacted by this issue. Do we want children indoctrinated by schools and the state regardind moral issues? Let the voice of the people ring out!

Vote Yes on Prop 8!

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My Daughter is 5 years old. She attends a school in San Carlos California. She is being taught that homosexuality is normal. That having two daddy's is normal. This my friends IS indoctrination by the Liberal Elite who believe that they know whats better for your children. When I question the school they treat me like I was a Nazi...they state they MUST teach about the realities of "alternative" lifestyles... It's already in the education code in California..it was passed this last spring. I could care less about gay marriage...I wish at times the Prop 8 would fail to shut these nut jobs up.... but I will vote for it because I am my daughters father and it is up to ME to teach my children about morality. I am not a moral relativist like all the Liberals who have taken over this state...and I will defend my right to raise my children as I see fit...It would be a huge mistake for any liberal to try to get between me and my children...

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For Gays, Tolerance Can Never Substitute For Acceptance By Reva McEachern

When people say they are tolerating you, it's probably an indication they don't like you very much, but they're forced to deal with you for one reason or another.

So when during the vice presidential debate earlier this month Republican Sarah Palin said she would be tolerant of gays and lesbians, I knew what she meant.

"If there's any kind of suggestion at all from my answer that I would be anything but tolerant of adults choosing their partners, their relationships they deem--uh, best for themselves--you know, I am tolerant," is what she said. What she meant was that if you are gay, you are an undesirable in this country.

I know because tolerance is a looming cloud of nonacceptance hovering over my head during holiday gatherings with my family. Tolerance forces people to hide in back alleyways and dark corners. Tolerance is "Don't ask, don't tell."

Tolerance leads to bias, which leads to intimidation, which leads to violence, on ourselves or others. And with as much preparation that clearly went into Palin's responses, I don't imagine it was by accident that she chose the word "tolerant" over "acceptance".

Before he was brutually murdered on Oct. 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming could have told you a thing or two about tolerance. As could Sakia Gunn, a Newark lesbian who was stabbed to death at 15. Both were the victims of hate crimes.

As we remember them and other victims of hate crimes on the 10th anniversary of Shepard's killing by looking at the political climate for gays in America, I think it's fair to say that both Shepard and Gunn would want people to know that tolerance is not enough.

So would countless other gay, lesbian and transgender victims.

FBI statistics show that anti-gay hate crimes are the third-most frequent kind of hate crimes in America after race and religion, according to a 2006 report.

New Jersey is one of 11 states and the District of Columbia that include sexual orientation and gender identity as well as race, religion and national origin as bases for hate crimes. But federal law only covers hate crimes based on a person's race, religion and national origin.

Vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said that his ticket was for equal rights, though like the Palin-McCain ticket, Biden and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama denounce gay marriage in respect of traditional values.

Well, I disagee that pushing traditional values is a realistic means to improve the quality of life for most people in America, gay, straight or otherwise. Harkening to tradition does not in any way represent a tide of change to me.

I wish that gay people would take the time necessary to discuss openly and truly understand the complexity of our sexual identities instead of offering straight people an explanation that will make sense within their heterosexual perception of the world.

I wish we would stop giving them the standardized repsonse that it is not a choice. I wish we would stop implying that being gay is wrong, but that you can't blame us poor gay people who are victims of chance.

I wish we would stop putting ourselves into boxes, and boxes within boxes, and then begging for tolerance rather that demanding acceptance.

The truth is that there are as many ways of being gay as there are gay people. So I don't want to hear about traditional values and assimilation, and I couldn't care less about marriage vs. civil unions if you would just give me the same 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples.

I want to hear politicians talk about fundamental values, like love, peace and happiness--not offer bipartisan rhetoric or appeal to Middle America. I am not a soccer mom. I am not a single parent. I am not a community organizer or a coal miner's daughter. And I am certainly not traditional.

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