I wonder why churches -- and especially the Mormon Church are so strongly in favor of Proposition 8? Is it truly something theological? Something spiritual? Or is it something more? I honestly can't figure it out! Everything I read is so biased and everyone I talk to is so polarized on one side or the other that it's hard to get an honest, objective discussion.
- The Mormons, in their early history were one of the most persecuted religious groups in the United States, so they must know what it is like to be persecuted, ridiculed, and have their civil rights restricted. In fact they emigrated to Utah to escape a lot of that persecution. Why do they now want to persecute the Gay population
- The Mormon Church and all US churches teache the "Golden Rule" -- "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - Which is the basic precept of almost all religions of the world according to all scholars of world religions. Why would they go against this teaching and treat Gays so unlike they would want themselves treated?
- The Church says that Gay Marriage is against Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. However the only "solid" Bible quotes seem to come from the Old Testament, other than one reference from Paul. Why don't the churches quote actual teachings from Jesus? Why nothing from the New Testament or the Book of Mormon? Is there nothing else? That Old Testament can also be quoted to advocate polygamy, submission of wives and many other things we would never do now! Why would we want to follow a teaching that is that obsolete?
- Jesus does say "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but render unto God what is God's" -- Gays have always been able to be married in a church of their choice and in the eye's of their God -- The problem has been that their marriage isn't recognized by the Government. So this proposition isn't about a religious marriage, it is about the civil part of marriage -- allowing Gays to be protected under divorce laws, tax laws, and "next of kin" rules in sickness. So why are the Churches involved in this issue at all?
- Most churches and religions also teach "Tolerance" -- Tolerance of other races, creeds and religions. Although they also want to proselytize all "non believers" and must be tolerant to be able to do that. One of the loudest complaints of the Proposition 8 advocates is that children might be "taught" about gay marriage. Gay families already exist, they're on TV, and throughout our community. Why wouldn't we want our children to be made aware of the alternate lifestyles that they should "tolerate?" Is this because the churches believe homosexuality is like a disease and could spread? Does that sound like a homophobic position? If so, does that sound intolerant?
- All of the churches who are proponents of Prop 8 are spending millions of dollars to advertise advocacy for this California Constitutional Change. What do they expect to get from it? Do they expect to increase donations from their members more than they are spending? That is hard to believe! What other benefit could the churches get from supporting this proposition? Could it be that the issue is being pushed in order to get more right-wing voters out to the polls so the politicians they are supporting have a better chance? If the churches can get enough politicians they like, they may be able to finally get more Federal and State handouts for "Religion-supported education, or charity work"
- Western, Caucasian religions have, in general, fought against woman's right to vote, interracial marriage, integration of schools and other civil rights issues. They have typically called out quotations from the Bible as rational for keeping the "status quo." --Is this another case of radical conservatism?
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