Don't Believe the Gay Hype

My "Official Voter Information Guide" arrived in the mail the other day. Today, I took some time to read what is stated about Proposition 8.

On the "title and summary" page, we read the biased selection of terminology which was prepared by the attorney general - who is obviously in the tank with gay activists.

It reads:

Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry. Initiative constitutional amendment.

* Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
* Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Now if a person who is in favor of marriage remaining the union of one man and one woman - as it has been defined for thousands of years, btw - had been in charge of the wording, you can be sure that it would have read "RESTORES MARRIAGE." That is what the YES ON PROPOSITION 8 advocates are doing. (More about this in the argument for YES ON PROPOSITION 8 - below.)

ANALYSIS BY THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST

BACKGROUND

In March 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 to specify in state law that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the statute enacted by Proposition 22 and other statutes that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. It also held that individuals of the same sex have the right to marry under the California Constitution. As a result of the ruling, marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid or recognized in the state.

PROPOSAL

This measure amends the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As a result, notwithstanding the California Supreme Court ruling of May 2008, marriage would be limited to individuals of the opposite sex, and individuals of the same sex would not have the right to marry in California.

FISCAL EFFECTS

Because marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid in California, there would likely be an increase in spending on weddings by same-sex couples in California over the next few years. This would result in increased revenue, primarily sales tax revenue, to state and local governments.

By specifying that marriage between individuals of the same sex is not valid or recognized, this measure could result in revenue loss, mainly from sales taxes, to state and local governments. Over the next few years, this loss could potentially total in the several tens of millions of dollars. Over the long run, this measure would likely have little fiscal impact on state and local governments.

The text of Proposition 8 states the following:

SECTION 1. Title

This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "California Marriage Protection Act."

SECTION 2. Section 7.5 is added to Article I of the California Constitution, to read:

SEC. 7.5 Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Ah! Now we see the TRUTH OF THE MATTER! PROPOSITION 8 IS A MEASURE THAT IS MEANT TO PROTECT MARRIAGE AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEFINED - THE UNION BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN! So, the question needs to be asked - why wasn't this title used in the text of the Proposition 8 title page?

Answer: BIAS!!

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 8

Proposition 8 is simple and straightforward. It contains the same 14 words that were previously approved in 2000 by over 61% of California voters: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Because four activist judges in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people's vote, we need to pass this measure as a constitutional amendment to RESTORE THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE as a man and a woman.

Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage; it's not an attack on the gay lifestyle. Proposition 8 doesn't take away any rights or benefits for gay or lesbian domestic partnerships. Under California law, "domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits" as married spouses. (Family Code 297.5.) There are NO exceptions. Proposition 8 WILL NOT change this.

YES on Proposition 8 does three simple things:

It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and human history has understood marriage to be.

It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.

It protects our children from being taught in public schools that "same-sex marriage" is the same as traditional marriage.

Proposition 8 protects marriage as an essential institution of society. While death, divorce, or other circumstances may prevent the ideal, the best situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father.

The narrow decision of the California Supreme Court isn't just about "live and let live." State law may require teachers to instruct children as young as kindergartners about marriage. (Education Code 51890.) If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, TEACHERS COULD BE REQUIRED to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

We should not accept a court decision that may result in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn't be forced on us against our will.

Some will try to tell you that Proposition 8 takes away legal rights of gay domestic partnerships. That is false. Proposition 8 DOES NOT take away any of those rights and does not interfere with gays living the lifestyle they choose.

However, while gays have the right to their private lives, they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else.

CALIFORNIANS HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. If gay activists want to legalize gay marriage they should put it on the ballot. Instead, they have gone behind the backs of voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for the rest of society. That is the wrong approach.

Voting YES on Proposition 8 RESTORES the definition of marriage that was approved by over 61% of voters. Voting YES overturns the decision of four activist judges. Voting YES protects our children.

Please vote YES on Proposition 8 to RESTORE the meaning of marriage.

RON PRENTICE, President
California Family Council
ROSEMARIE "ROSIE" AVILA, Governing Board Member
Santa Ana Unified School District
BISHOP GEORGE McKINNEY, Director
Coalition of African American Pastors

It's Not Political, It's A Spiritual Battle

California Religious Leaders Call for Fasting, Prayer to End Gay Marriage.

Excerpt:

Hundreds of pastors have called on their congregations to fast and pray for passage of a ballot measure in November that would put an end to gay marriage in California.

The collective act of piety, starting Wednesday and culminating three days before the election in a revival for as many as 100,000 people at the San Diego Chargers' stadium, comes as church leaders across California put people, money and powerful words behind Proposition 8.

Some pastors around the state and nation are encouraging their flocks to forgo solid food for up to 40 days in the biblical tradition.

Jim Garlow, the pastor of the evangelical Skyline Church in San Diego County, said he expects up to 100 young adults to spend five-plus weeks on his campus, subsisting on soup, juice and the promise of societal salvation.

"This is not political to us. We see it as very spiritual," said Garlow, a leader of an interfaith coalition that has held monthly teleconferences, shared sermons and solicited donations for the ballot measure.

Alarmed by a California Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage, churches of many faiths have banded together in support of a measure that would amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. They have become the single largest force behind the measure, recruiting volunteers, raising money, registering voters, manning phone banks and distributing campaign literature.

Continue reading here.

HT: Fox News Website

*******
Update @ 8:26 p.m. PT

Found a website with detailed commentary and valuable resources. Although it is from a Catholic viewpoint, many points contained in the material also agree with Biblical, Evangelical Christianity.

Why Catholics [Are] Against Same-Sex "marriage."

Write Letters to Restore CA Marriage

As we get closer to election day on November 4, 2008, it is very important for California Christians to write letters to the editor in support of Proposition 8!

Here are sample letters to consider:


To the Editor:

Marriage is a holy thing which our culture needs to respect more than it does. Same-sex "marriage" is not the way to do this. Same-sex "marriage" is not marriage. It is an imitation of the real thing. Our laws cannot enshrine the imitation without harming the real thing. Once the imitation is in place, you have to teach children that the imitation is real. You have to force ministers and the general public to violate their conscience and compel them to endorse the imitation. It's already happening. Catholic Charities can no longer offer adoption services in Massachusetts because they're forced to include homosexual adoption. So much for religious liberty! The imitation drives out the genuine and is cruel both to those who fall for the fake and to those who resist. I urge my fellow Californians not to fall for the imitation.

To the Editor:

Homosexual marriage is cruel to the innocent children doomed to grow up without one of their parents. Homosexual "marriage" denies that to the little boy who needs his daddy or the little girl who needs her mommy! How can grownups be so cruel to innocent children? Worse, homosexual "marriage" means the adults are doing this deliberately, all for their own selfish reasons. It's not as if death has cheated a child of a parent. Homosexual "marriage" purposely takes one parent away and tries to replace it with two of the same parent! Why would adults do that to a child? How can they be so selfish? I can't bring myself to vote for something like that. That's why I'm voting to support marriage: one-man, one-woman for life. It's the right thing to do.

HT: Concerned Women for America

Religious Freedoms At Risk

My sister in Christ, Carlotta, has an important and eye-opening blog post which points out exactly why same-sex marriage laws need to be opposed! Gay Unions Don't Affect Religious Freedoms? Think Again!

She writes:

Listed [at Carlotta's blog] are a few examples of what has transpired within this decade to many religious organizations and/or individuals where they were sued, forced or had ceased operations altogether to accommodate or avoid accommodating the newly defined “families.”

Go over there and read them. People, this is just the tip of the "homosexual agenda silencing religious freedoms" iceberg!

From a biblical and Christian standpoint, I add my comments:

You are exactly right, Carlotta. When sexual orientation/behavior/perversion “laws” are written, they inevitably are used to trump freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association rights. Guess who gets discriminated against?

Your examples plainly show the answer to that question.

The “equality” and “tolerance” mantra is just a not-so-subtle guise that is designed, and determined, to silence Christians and God’s Word. Period.

In the secular humanistic and gay “christian” movement world, it appears that some are more “equal” than others and that “tolerance” is a one way street.

There is something seriously wrong with this picture.

God’s Word has told us what that is.

Jesus, himself, specifically refered to how it would be the closer we get to His return:

The Days of Noah Are Here

As In The Days of Lot

We need to share those links with every Christian. Many are either ignorant or unaware of the dire consequences involved in the same-sex marriage issue.

God bless you, Carlotta, for writing openly about this topic. We need to keep Proposition 8’s YES votes in our prayers and share the TRUTH with as many voters as possible! Thank you for doing your part in the TRUTH war!

In Christ’s service,
Christine

I Protect Marriage

I Protect Marriage Website.

"It's not just about marriage."

"The way you vote will change your world."

"Who has the right to change marriage?"

"No society has ever lasted with an "anything goes" attitude."

"Which parent doesn't matter? A mom or a dad?"

"If you redefine marriage - what's next?"

"New Moral Code" on the Rise:

(Aug. 25, 2008) -- More adults under 25 are spurning traditional morality, according to longtime pollster George Barna. "We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America," said Barna. More...

Prop. 8's Interfaith Alliances:
(Aug. 24, 2008) -- Prop. 8's growing interfaith partnerships built on a commitment to traditional marriage are catching the eye of political analysts and media, such as the Los Angeles Times. More...

Unfair Ballot Title:
(Aug. 8, 2008) -- Supporters of Prop. 8 will appeal the decision to let stand an unfair description of the Nov. 4 ballot measure imposed by Attorney General Jerry Brown. More...


If You're Catholic:
(Aug. 4, 2008) -- The California Catholic Conference has thrown its support behind Prop. 8, declaring that same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. More...

HT: I Protect Marriage - VOTE YES ON 8 !!!

Slap in the Face Against Traditional Marriage

How ridiculous is it going to get before the nonsense is stopped???

California bans 'brides,' 'grooms'
License rejected for couple seeking traditional marriage

Did you see that? A MARRIAGE LICENSE WAS REJECTED FOR A COUPLE SEEKING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE!!

Excerpt:

Pastor Doug Bird of Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, Calif., was alarmed to find the state now rejects the traditional terms after he officiated his first marriage ceremony last week following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 22.

The couple had written the words "bride" and "groom" next to "Party A" and "Party B" because they wanted to be legally recognized as husband and wife.

However, the Placer County marriage license was denied.

"I received back the license and a letter from the Placer County Clerk/Recorder stating that the license 'does not comply with California State registration laws,'" Bird said in a statement from the Pacific Justice Institute.

So...I wonder where the advocates who usually say, "how does my same-sex "marriage" negatively affect yours?"

Well...here ya go!

This is only the beginning.

God save us from this madness!

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8 IN CALIFORNIA ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008!!!

HT: World Net Daily

Additional resource:

Alliance Defense Fund and Family Research Council's letter to thousands of pastors informing them of their free speech rights.