Monday, August 25, 2008

Proposition 8 in California

Today, I would like to give a big "Shout Out" to Yuba City, specifically Tierra Buena, which truly lived up to it name - Good Earth. We were out walking our neighborhood, as we've been asked, to inform voters about the Protection of Marriage Initiative on the November ballot. We had overwhelming support, as we talked to folks at their doors. It seems that voters are fed up with their votes being negated by a few Supreme Court Justices. It was a pleasant surprise to be so warmly received at the door. The majority of our neighbors thanked us for getting out and knocking on doors. Only a few were undecided, and only one, on Saturday, wouldn't accept our brochure and said she felt as long as folks had a good relationship that was what mattered. We still have several more streets and a few more hours to go, before we are done with our routes.
Last night, Wally Herger, our congressman who is also LDS, spoke at a fireside at our stake center. It was well attended. He gave a good speech, as he talked about the foundations of our great nation. He spoke about the Capitol Building in D.C. and how much of the artwork depicts a nation founded on moral, and Christian principles. He said, as you stand on the congressional floor you have the Ten Commandments displayed behind you, and a painting of Moses with our founding fathers in front of you. Yet, we have Supreme Court Justices removing God and Christian principles from our daily lives.
The California State Supreme Court voted in March, by a margin of 4 to 3, to overturn a law passed in 2000 by 61% of the people which stated, only a marriage between a man and a woman is legal and valid in California. I am enraged that 4 Justices, whom I could not vote for, have overturned a law passed by the majority of the voters in the state. It almost doesn't matter to me what the law is about. I am furious they have the power to invalidate what the voters want.
Those of you who read my blog and are not Californians, take heed, as you will also be soon forced to recognize the marriages performed in California, should those persons move to your state. Many folks are coming from out of state to be married in California. The problem will be on your home turf all too soon.
Congressman Wally Herger said we can't know all the legal ramifications of same sex marriages, but he did speak about some of the statistics in a few European countries which have legalized same sex marriages, since the 90's. For one thing, only 2 % of same sex couples have had marriages performed. That is surprising, but what is more shocking is the number of children born out of wedlock, since the legalization of same sex marriage - 71% !!! And for first time mothers, the number is 80% of children born out of wedlock. To me, that speaks of the demise of marriage and the total breakdown of the traditional family unit.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has asked its members to give of their time and means to support Proposition 8. Facts prove that, all things considered, children do better when they come from a home with both a father and a mother. We owe it to our children to give them our very best effort when we bring them into the world.
Again, I want to applaud Yuba City. I get frustrated at times at our backwardness, or should I say our lack of forwardness. I mean, sheesh, we can't even get an Olive Garden (but we do now have an In and Out Burger). We are a strong, family oriented, conservative community. I was nervous about knocking on doors, but overall, it has been a wonderful, positive experience. I do not envy our Church members who are going door to door in more liberal communities. They will be in our prayers.
Vote Yes on Prop 8!!

11 comments:

stubz said...

we're trying to pass an amendment here in az too. I'm supposed to help redesign the website for the campaign.
http://yesformarriage.com

The blogging Bakers said...

Hey Laurie- I am glad to read about your experiences out knocking on doors, Robert and I are going out in 2 weeks and I am a little nervous about it. It is very much out of my comfort zone but I guess that is how the pioneers felt too right:) Anyway thanks for the uplifting post hopefully we will have a similar experience.

J and C said...

Shall we let the presedential candidates weigh-in? I bet they dont touch this with a ten foot pole for fear of losing their swing states. It just goes to show that politicians are more worried about their jobs than representing the majority because the minority unfortunately is more vocal. It is sad that the majority would need to bribe their candidate just as the special interest groups do. Our war is definitely an internal/spiritual one. Our foreign enemies although living under false traditions are often more righteous than the "christian" nations.

mastubz said...

Chino Blanco - don't know who you are, but welcome to my little blog. And yes, it is amazing that folks who can disagree on many points can come together for a common good. The Protect Marriage Initiative crosses all major religions, as we come together to agree on the sanctity of marriage, an institution ordained by God. I might also remind you we are not anti-gay, but we are those in favor of marriage being that of a man and a woman. Gays already enjoy the benefits and rights of Civil Unions. I have no problem with that. I will gladly vote along side Mike Huckabee if he supports Yes on Prop 8. I had a great time speaking with my Sikh friends in our neighborhood. We may disagree about many things pertaining to religion, but we certainly agree on what God has ordained as marriage and the importance of family.

emaalyon said...

I'm anxious to see what Aaron encounters on his door to door visits this week. I have only had to make phone calls thus far, and it hasn't been near as scary as I thought it would be. I still get nervous, but responses have been good. I haven't had anyone preach against me anyhow.

Rearun said...

This is such a sensitive/touchy topic. I am in full support of proposition 8. Marriage between a man and a woman is fundamental to our society. It is the mean whereby we are most able to come to know God. Men and women are fundamentally different from one another and that is why we need eachother in order to grow and develop to our full potential. With that being said, I am sensitive to the gay community. I would not want to walk in their shoes. I understand their desire to have their relationships validated.

Jared and Debbie said...

I wanted to share the link to the best paper/talk/discussion I have read on this topic. It is called "How the Order of Marriage has Shaped Us All, and What We Will Lose If We Change It" by C. Terry Warner. It is well worth the read. I had not heard the statistics for children and families in countries where marriage has been legally redefined. I think they answer the "what's the big deal?" question well.

http://ce.byu.edu/cw/fuf/archives/2004/Terry.Warner.pdf

Anonymous said...

Those who might want to understand why Mormons would support gay marriage should visit www.mormonsformarriage.com or lds4gaymarriage.com

meg.. said...

Good for you. I don't envy you having to work so hard on such a tough issue. I hope people aren't too easily swayed by the (more vocal) minority and become afraid to stand up for what is right.

mastubz said...

You are so right about the vocal minority. That is why Californians are in this position now. It is still shocking to me that 4 activist judges could overturn what 61% of Californias votership approved. I believe this is a test for the moral majority to stand up and be counted, rather than be complacent.

Pyatt said...

We've been doing the precinct walks as well. It's been interesting. I'm surprised at how many people just don't think about issues period. As we have knocked doors a lot of people don't even know what Prop 8 is!! It's been an adventure that is for sure! Keep it up!! Go Yuba City!