Saturday, November 8, 2008

Proposition 8 news

As everyone knows by now, Proposition 8 was recently passed in California. When I awoke on the 5th, the first thing I checked was not the presidential election (I had already decided that there was almost no way McCain could win after he lost Ohio) but the decision on Proposition 8. I was grateful to see that the majority voted yes in this crucial issue. I understand that some people will disagree with me, but I am more comfortable with the traditional definition of marriage, namely between a man and a woman, than I would be if the states' constitution said otherwise. This was a vitally important and historical question. In some ways, I imagine that this election in California was more heated than the presidential campaign. There were even riots performed by anti-prop 8 groups after the election and rumors that people already wanted to appeal the recently voted yes.

I just wanted to share some articles and information I have found from the church and others in response to the recent passing of Proposition 8.

Church Issues Statement on Proposition 8 Protest: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-issues-statement-on-proposition-8-protest

Catholic Bishop Decries Religious Bigotry Against Mormons: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/catholic-bishop-decries-religious-bigotry-against-mormons

I thought this statement was particularly moving, that this Bishop made sure to state that people who were pro-prop 8 were not only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but people from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds voted yes.

LDS official lauds work for California's Prop. 8: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705260852,00.html?pg=1

This article talks a lot about how the church viewed this issue as a moral one and not necessarily a political one. I appreciate how Elder Clayton emphasizes that a differing opinion is not grounds for harrassment or any other improper treatment of other people. We still need to show love and understanding, even if others don't agree. I also appreciated that he pointed out the implications in religious freedoms that could have been questioned if this proposition had not passed. A great article.