Three videos and three articles to pay attention to.

In this upcoming election we have one important issue that rises above the rest in magnitude of consequence if it fails. That is proposition 8. This is known as the marriage amendment.

I know that some of you are already fully supportive of this proposition. Others are unsure. There are also some of you are decidedly voting no.

Many of us have friends, family, or loved one that are in homosexual and lesbian relationships. You may not want to offend them, keep them from the same happiness you have experienced in your own marriage…or simply do not see what harm there is in allowing it.

No doubt – this can be an extremely difficult decision.

Regardless of how firm your position on Proposition 8 either way…as a friend I am asking you to:

• Seriously and contemplatively read this letter
• Watch the embedded videos
• Read the linked articles.

A yes vote on Proposition 8 will define marriage as only valid between a man and a woman. In 2000 citizens in California already voted in favor of this definition 61% to 39%.

However – in May 2008, just four California Supreme Court Justices declared this unconstitutional and actually legalized same sex marriage.

Proposition 8 will:

• Reverse the decision of the 4 judges who opposed 61% of Californians
• Make the definition of marriage a constitutional change
• Preserve that definition for generations to come.

But it does so much more. It eliminates the consequences of what would happen if it were not to pass.

If proposition 8 does not pass the following would happen:

• Religious rights and freedoms by individuals and churches would be trumped by “tolerance” or anti-discrimination laws.
• Homosexuality would be taught as a healthy normal relationship in schools to children as young as 7, maybe even younger. (2nd graders in Massachusetts are to read to from books such as “The Prince and the Prince” as part of their family education curricula)
  Gender would no longer become an essential characteristic in ones identity.
  

Don’t take my word for it.

There are THREE videos and THREE articles I want you to look at. They do a much better job of explaining the importance of the sanctity of marriage, and what the real consequences would be if Proposition 8 does not pass.

These videos and articles are:

Video #1: Broadcast snippets of LDS church leaders to its members. (you will have to click the link...the code to embed it did not work) Church leaders encourage its members to participate in the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. More importantly though in this short video, you will hear non-denominational Christian ideas and views regarding Christ’s teachings of tolerance and the treatment of those who engage in sinful behaviors. Put aside any thoughts you might have about listening to a “Mormon Leader” and just watch. You won’t be disappointed.

Video #2: Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council discusses family education being taught in Massachusetts. As a result of legalized same-sex marriages in Massachusetts, family education curricula have changed dramatically, all without the consent or knowledge of parents.



Video #3: How will my same-sex marriage affect your marriage? This is a YouTube video by someone whom I know nothing about. I found it while doing some research on Proposition 8, and found this mans answer to be phenomenal and very satisfying.

Article #1: When Gay Rights and Religious Liberties Clash. This is an NPR article citing actual court cases when the liberties and rights of religion have been discarded as a result of Gay rights. This has been coined as “The Tyranny of Tolerance”. This is where modernized definitions of tolerance trumps basic fundamental US constitutional rights

Article #2: Protecting Marriage to Protect Children. This is an article written by a liberal democrat who supports “homosexual and lesbian love”, the fight against homophobia…but is opposed to same-sex marriage.

Article #3: The Divine Institution of Marriage. This one is heavy on Mormon theology regarding marriage but not unique only to Mormonism. I think you will find the declarations and statements made to be quite universal among most of Christianity. In fact 100% of supporting scriptures for the statements and positions on marriage comes from the King James Version of the Bible. Even those conservative religions that are not Christian based such as the Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths will find many common beliefs.

If you have read this much of the email I am sincerely appreciative of the time you have given this topic already. If you haven’t already watched the videos and read the articles please do so – you won’t regret it and you will be much more informed.

Like I said at the beginning of this email, I have some action steps that I would like you to consider as a result of studying this topic.

Here are action steps I would like you take:

• Register to vote if you are not already registered at your current address
• Show up on voting day and vote yes on proposition 8
• Pass this email on to all of your friends and family and encourage them to vote yes on proposition 8.
• Consider giving of your time and / or means to support the efforts of proposition 8. You can get more information on how to do this by visiting www.protectmarriage.com
  
  
  Thanks for reading this positing and studying out this very important issue.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Spent 3 hours walking neigborhoods talking about Prop. 8

Yesterday I spent 3 hours walking local neighborhoods talking to people about proposition 8. It was a great 3 hours, I was part of a coalition across Southern California doing the same thing, and I will be about it again next week, and again another Saturday not yet decided. Of course - during the week their are many canvassing the streets who cant do it on Saturdays, but still want to be involved.

We came across many who want to volunteer to help, many who support proposition 8, and those who were undecided. Of the 50+ people I spoke with yesterday, only 2 were definitely voting no on the proposition.

However - despite the low "No" votes - we came across many undecided voters who had some very legititmate concerns and questions.

I would like to share with you some of the things we came across, how we responded - and would like your input if you have better advice and answers.

Response #1: I have friends who are gay, I probably will vote no on Proposition 8

Our Answer: We all have friends who are gay or homosexual. These are good friends or co-workers and we love and respect them. They contribute a great deal to our community. We think we have come a long way to make sure that those who live this lifestyle recieve the same rights heterosexual persons recieve like healthcare, hospital visitation rights and other domestic partner benefts. We think all of that is great and this proposition doesn't change any of that. However -with all that we have done for those in that lifestyle, its time that we vote for something that preserves something sacred for the majority. That thing is marriage.


Response #2: No - I am definitely voting against proposition 8

Our Answer: Are you set in your decision, or are you still gathering information?


Response #3: I am not sure, so many propositions have the small writing, or hidden pieces of legislation - I am just worried that will voting for something else that I am unaware of.

Our Answer: So you are hesitant to vote yes, because you dont want to change other things as well that you dont support? We want to assure you that the entire wording of the proposition states that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." That is it. There is no more and no less. It is that simple.


Response #4: What does it matter if there is same-sex marriage? Homosexuality used to be so deep in the closet, and it isn't any more.

Our Answer: It does matter. Issues of health insurance, hospital visits, taxes, retirement, etc are all issues that have roots in society. These are things we have created for our benefit. As a result, it makes sense to make them legally available to all persons in an equal matter.

Marriage was not designed by us. Marriage actually goes against mans natural tendancies. By nature we want power, wealth, and sexual fulfillment. Marriage curbs all of that.

Marriage, in all major religions of the world, is an institution that is building block of society and has always only been between a man and a woman - specifically designed that way. It is also the belief most religions that the institution of marriage was created and is ordained by God. That alone separates this issue from all others regarding homosexual rights.

This country was founded on Judeo-Christian morals and one of those core moral issues is that of marriage. This country continues to have a majority who claim that God plays a role in their every day lives. We need to preserve the moral issues of this country, and so longs as this country is dominated by Judeo-Christians - marriage being solely between a man and a woman is one of those issues.

We as a people should grant equal rights and access to those things that are created by man.

We as a religious people should fear God and defend what he has created, lest we find ourselves his enemy and subject to the consequences. (remember - he destroyed Sodom and Gommorra for this very issue)

Those people are not believers in God, should vote their conscience.


In Conclusion: Vote Yes On 8. Its not about taking away from anyone - its about preserving that which is sacred. You could say voting yes on 8 is a green stance - its about preserving one of Gods natural resources. Go Green, vote yes on 8!

Why my marriage is important to me

Why my marriage is important to me

I have been married now for 10 years. It hasn't been easy. There were times I am sure when both of us wanted to walk away. But we haven't and were not going to. You see - our marriage is more than just a relationship with a piece of paper tying us together. Our marriage is more than just tax and insurance benefits. Our marriage is more than a fad.

Our marriage was the beginning of a family. A family that will not end. A family that will endure time and be a building block for our community and communities to come.

Marriage is the keystone to a family. Families are the building blocks of communities, cities, towns, counties, states, nations, and this world.

There is nothing that can replace the family unit as the world has known it for centuries.

A father and mother to create, love, and raise children. Fathers and mothers are different. Men and women are different and the children learn different things from their parents. This can only happen in a traditional family setting. Of course we know that not all marriages work out and that not all children have both parents in the home. That is why neighbors, aunts, uncles, friends are some important – to fill the role of the absent parent so the parent who is raising the children can focus on what they can do, and not have to worry about what they can’t do. This is more than just life skills, values, and character traits. It’s also about developing character and identity.

I love my marriage because of we have the opportunity to create greatness in our children, in our community. No other organization has this opportunity. The family unit was created by design in the fashion because of the greatness it has embedded in it.

Attempting to create family units built on foundations other than a husband and wife as we have always known it will destroy what families can and should be.

My marriage is also sacred to me

I am also a religious person. I believe that Marriage is ordained of God and that God created marriage between a man and a woman for a reason. For that purpose alone, re-creating, re-defining, re-designing what marriage is, is heresy and defies one of Gods most sacred institutions.

God commanded man and woman to marry and be one flesh. The multiply and replenish the earth. This can only be done between a man and a woman. There is no other way. The powers of procreation are sacred and are only to be done in the bonds of marriage.

Marriage any other way makes a mockery of God and his purposes.

Marriage has been this way for centuries. I want it to remain this way for centuries to come.

Homosexual couples have called their lifestyle and alternative lifestyle. Alternative to what? It is an alternative to marriage.

I am ok with them having an alternative lifestyle. I don’t really care. But lets keep it alternative. Let’s not make it be something it isn’t.

Homosexuality will always be an alternative relationship to mainstream. It will never be a majority lifestyle. That being said – why confuse it with something that is mainstream. Why confuse it with something that has been around since the creation of man.

Let it be what it is. Let Marriage be what it is and has always been. Marriage is a holy and legal relationship between a man and woman.

Vote Yes on 8.

Vote Yes On Proposition 8

Hello All!

The purpose of this blog is for everyone to share why their marriage is important and sacred to them.

The hope is that as we share these stories those who are unsure how to vote, or those who may think that marriage is not sacred and should be available to any two adults, will change their minds and come to a realization of exactly how sacred this institution is and that we should keep in between a man and a woman.

So as you read this blog please do the following:

1. Share about the sacredness of your marriage now, or a future marriage you hope to have.
2. Click on the link to Protect Marriage Now and make a monetary donation, no matter how small.
3. Send an email to everyone you know with a link to this blog.

Thank You!


James K.