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!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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:
Thank You!
James K.
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:
- Share about the sacredness of your marriage now, or a future marriage you hope to have.
- Click on the link to Protect Marriage Now and make a monetary donation, no matter how small.
- Send an email to everyone you know with a link to this blog.
Thank You!
James K.
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