I remember 8 years ago when prop 22 was on the table, I was a freshman in High School. It was a strange experience for me during that campaign. A lot of my friends judged and excluded me from their groups because I was open about my beliefs, a lot of really hurtful things were said. That experience made me think a lot about tolerance. I often feel that being a member of an organized conservative religious group some would assume that my support for prop 8 would be because of intolerance that I have towards homosexual couples. This is such a misconception. Just as I desire for people to be tolerant of my beliefs, even if they disagree, I strive to do the same. As for myself and my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) we have nothing against homosexual couples receiving all the same rights, privileges and freedoms of a heterosexual couple. In fact I believe in loving, serving and caring for all of God's children and that is exactly what the LDS church teaches. This new law legalizing gay marriage is not concerned with equal rights and freedoms, it is about re-defining what marriage means in our society. For most religious groups this raises a concern. Marriage and family is often a core belief for most religious organizations and expanding the definition of marriage to include groups other than one man and one woman, seriously conflicts with that belief. I know that the LDS church puts an enormous amount of energy to promote family unity and fights against forces that break up that unity. By legalizing gay marriage the state is forcing people to accept something that is against their fundamental belief system. As time passes and children are taught in school to accept these new ideas of marriage as normal, those who wish to maintain their religious viewpoint of marriage will find it harder and harder for their beliefs to be tolerated. By supporting prop 8 I want to not only protect marriage and family but also religious freedom. I hope that those who are reading this blog will understand my concerns or at least will find out more about the ramifications of legalizing gay marriage on religious groups, even if you are not religious yourself. I hope the best for all of you and may God bless you!
I have included a link that gives more specific details on the impact legalizing gay marriage would have on religious groups and religious freedom. It is a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that describes, in better detail than I can, the concerns and consequences of this issue for those who hold religious beliefs.
The Divine Instituion of Marriage
My sister-in-law also has a really neat blog with a lot more links
I think this video shows how people's rights are being taken away from them
So does this NPR article
Family Update 2023
10 months ago
16 comments:
Excellent comments on your own experiences with tolerance. I think that Prop 8 is so much more important than any of us even imagine. Thanks for standing up for what you believe in. I have walked precincts four weekends and intend to give any support requested. Thanks all for their support of Prop 8.
Dad Sam
that was beautifully said...amen to what you said and thank you for being so couragous in sharing it!!!
hey leah pia pudding pie,
it's nice to hear your opinions about prop 8. it's something that was confusing for me,but after thinking it over and praying about it for a time, I can say it has increased my faith in following the counsel of our prophets and of God. I know He knows what's best.
Ur the best too. love you, Erin
Good points. Good job for being brave enough to write about this. I hope all are brave enough to vote for what they believe and not vote to be more "open-minded." I wish people would understand the topic more and think about it. It seems that some people just say, "oh yes, I am open-minded" and accept all - not realizing what that really entails.
Hope you start feeling better!
There are many things that exist in this world that go against my personal and spiritual beliefs. Many things have been "forced" upon me that go against my personal "fundamental belief system". I didn't ask for a corrupt government, a war, a disgraceful public school system, or most of the things that I've cooperated with in my life. Through all these things, I have struggled to maintain my beliefs about love, life, and spirituality. Beliefs, especially religious beliefs, are one's own weight to bear. They cannot be expected to be accepted by everyone. You are entitled to your beliefs, but how can you say that the freedom of gay marriage is "forcing" people to accept something? You can be against gay marriage all you want, but that doesn't mean that everyone else should be. You don't have to accept anything. You can teach your children that homosexuals are going to hell for getting married all you want. No one is "forcing" anything here. All beliefs are subject to be challenged. But what right do you or anyone else have to include me in your definition of "core beliefs". You have no right to rally together an army to try and stop something that maybe most people want to happen, just as I have no right to organize an army that says you can't pray to your god or go to your church. If people disagree with you, it's not judgement or persecution. It's not stopping your religion from practicing how they want to. You live in a democracy. You live in a country where the people are supposed to make their voices heard. A country that is supposed to accept all it's people as equals. What you believe to be a threat to humanity I see as as step in a positive new direction. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong. Who can define what right or "normal" is? What was "normal" 200 years ago is pretty strange and backwards now. We move forward as human beings. We should not "force" ourselves to stay stuck in an old-way of thinking, because we are always growing and changing, and if we don't let ourselves progress, it will be the end of humanity.
Marriage has always been re-defined throughout our history. It started as something that was arranged and loveless. It was essentially a business merger. Marriage has always been manipulated by people for ulterior motives. Especially by powerful religious officials. I don't want to put down your religion, but I think the Mormon Church has definitely had it's confusion with the concept of marriage and is not in a position to speak for all of us. I personally think marriage is now about love. Plain and simple. Be it man and woman, or woman and woman, or man and man. Now, you don't have to agree with me. But if everyone else does, how is that denying your religious freedom? Teach your children whatever you want. Make them believe whatever you want them to. Pray all you want. Just keep your religious beliefs out of my life, and let the people govern themselves like we're supposed to be able to do.
Crispy's views are very interesting. Its funny when you mention about how since "most people" view gay marriage as good then conservatives shouldn't infringe on that. Its interesting because a lot of people don't realize that Prop 22 was initially voted down by the voters of california. It was actually 4 judges that decided to overturn it that made gay marriage legal. And it was really only one judge (when it came down to it) that swung the vote in favor of legalizing gay marriage
Most people in California that voted in 2002 voted for the definition of marriage to remain between a man and a woman. Although Homosexuals have most if not all of the rights given to married people - the definition of marriage is the key factor that many people are trying to protect. If homosexuals wanted to create a word to define their commitments (that didn't include heterosexuals) I wouldn't be offended in the least. Its a different subject and therefore a different definition.
Its interesting that this is as big of an issue since many people choose not to even get married in this day and age and is a fairly conservative ideal to begin with.
Food for thought...
I think a lot of marriages are strange and don't quite fit the common definition. Should we give them all a new definition? Should all Mormon marriages be illegal now because they're in a Mormon church and conducted differently? You can have all the same rights and stuff, we're just not going to recognize it, because it wasn't in a conventional church. All Jewish marriages should be unrecognized too. I mean, cmon, a temple is not a church. There wasn't a priest there, so obviously we can't recognize that. In fact, let's make everyone who wants to get married appear before a council of judges and religious officials to plead their case and just let them decide.
Perhaps it was voted against in California because there were too many people trying to scare everyone into thinking that it will be the end of the world if gay marriage should ever become legal. Maybe if they let people make their own unbiased opinions, we wouldn't have so much hatred in this country. There are too many people who think they know what's right. My point is, you don't get to make that decision. Let people make their own definitions. And if they vote against it, then you have nothing to worry about. But if they do, at least accept they voice of your fellow man. We are all in this together.
Thanks for that. In Arizona, we are getting ready to vote on Prop 102, which will amend the Arizona Constitution to say that marriage will be between one man and one woman, so I have been forced to think about marriage and the family as well. This is more than equal rights, but it protecting the sacred union of marriage and the family. It doesn't mean I love anyone any less.
Thanks for your post, Leah. Tyler and I have been having very similar conversations on the issue, and I applaud you for posting your thoughts.
And I don't know how posting your personal beliefs on your personal blog is "forcing" your beliefs on someone else. It seems like a very appropriate venue to express your feelings.
Also, it is great that we can vote on this issue. In this fashion, neither people supporting gay marriage nor people opposing gay marriage can force their views upon one another. Instead, it can be left to a majority vote, and I think it's very important that both sides have their voices heard.
Sometimes it seems like those with conservative perspectives (especially those who may be conservative and open-minded, though this may seem incompatable) are not heard because of the threat of being labeled "intolerant."
Thanks again for your post.
I know all these gangsters that I love are firing chalk talk toward the "political troll fan", but in today's world shouldnt we all have our feet thickened by the grass plots of demo/repub ideals? Gray hair makes the world shimmy, at least according to government brazzers. Who can't agree with this rice i just fed the "goblin independence mob"?
So, so true. I'm so not against equal rights in homosexual relationships, but I still don't want the definition of marriage broadened. Thank you for being so outspoken about your beliefs, Leah. You were always good for that sort of thing ;)
Thanks for your thoughts and feelings. To me tolerance is understanding that conscientious and thinking people might have beliefs different that yours. You can respect that reality. Everyone, however must make their own decision as to what has greater value and supports the highest in human potential and happiness. That will always be a two edge sword. It will affirm certain behaviors and concepts and devalue others. That is the reality existing in a communal environment.I have never met a human being that didn't have a take on that what is the better, modern, more advanced, etc way of human existence. One thing I do believe, however, is that if you don't know what you think, others will do your thinking for you. Thanks Leah for expressing your perspective. I agree and support your ideas.
Dad Harv
Wow! Leah! Are you feeling the love on this one?? Sheesh!
So glad you posted this, because while my beliefs are the same as yours, I like to be educated on all this. The article you connected was great. I think having open discussions about these things are healthy, good, and for me, reitterate what I believe in the first place. I LOVE to hear other views and opinions though. Love you!
I think this is an example of what you mean by one-way tolerance: Stealing Yard Signs--Stealing Voices
Thanks for your post Leah.
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