Prop. 8/102
Let me give you some back-story.
I am LDS, standing for Latter-Day Saint, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Commonly called "Mormon" or referred to as "Mormonism." (Re-)established by the power of God through Joseph Smith Jr. whom we believe saw God and Christ, was told that none of the churches at the time had the full gospel and was told of another record hidden up by an ancient people of the Americas. It was called the Book of Mormon as it was compiled by the ancient prophet Mormon during the last years of the Nephite civilization. This is not "Mormon's Church," he just compiled the history of his people before their demise and thus the book is named after him. We believe that this book supplements the Bible and both clarifies and fills in things that are missing from the bible, both due to inaccurate translations/transcriptions and men who had ill intent.
Got it? Excellent.
Re-wind four years. there was a proposition on the ballot of Arizona to state that Marriage would only be recognized between one man and one woman. It also went further and denied the possibility of civil unions, eliminating the possibility of shared insurance, visitation rights, and so forth.
I voted NO. It didn't pass.
This year the proposition simply called for an amendment that would define "Marriage" as being between one man and one woman.
I voted YES. It passed.
Now people would like to string me up for the second vote and call me intolerant, but do they praise the first? I have friends who are gay, lesbian, bi- and trans-sexual. I respect the beliefs of others even when they conflict with my own, I respect them. I don't care what you believe or practice so long as it doesn't hurt anyone. I only ask that you don't hit on me (applies to heterosexual males too, I'm married, bugger off! [humor folks]).
People should have a right to see their loved ones in the hospital, they should have the right to make end-of-life decisions for a partner. They should be able to buy a home together and share insurance. I am perfectly fine with civil unions.
One can't really control who or what (personality traits, physical characteristics) one finds attractive, I know that. However I am of a firm belief that marriage was and is for the union of a man and a woman.* To lift each other up, support each other, and bring children into this world to nurture and raise.
I also believe that marriage is a religious covenant that government happens to recognize and offer additional benefits for. Let the churches decide what marriage is, but offer the same governmental benefits to others. Your church recognizes same-sex unions as marriage? Good for them, that's their belief.
Now does that sound like I hate homo/bi/trans-sexual people and want them to be second-class citizens? I doubt it. I don't care what your sexual orientation is. It doesn't affect me (sans flirting, see previous comment), it doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter.
Don't harass people because they voted. You don't like the way it turned out? Talk rationally, make your argument. Don't go around painting everyone with the same brush and beat people up, destroy property, attack religious and holy places, or drag peoples names, beliefs, and everything else they hold sacred through the mud.
You can't blame the LDS Church for the fact that it didn't pass. People voted on what they personally believed, not necessarily because they felt another group should be punished.
Hopefully that makes plain my views on the matter, questions welcome.
Now, I haven't called names, I haven't gnashed teeth, I have kept a civil tongue and would appreciate it if others did the same.
*Let me know if you want a separate essay on my views on polygamy.
I am LDS, standing for Latter-Day Saint, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Commonly called "Mormon" or referred to as "Mormonism." (Re-)established by the power of God through Joseph Smith Jr. whom we believe saw God and Christ, was told that none of the churches at the time had the full gospel and was told of another record hidden up by an ancient people of the Americas. It was called the Book of Mormon as it was compiled by the ancient prophet Mormon during the last years of the Nephite civilization. This is not "Mormon's Church," he just compiled the history of his people before their demise and thus the book is named after him. We believe that this book supplements the Bible and both clarifies and fills in things that are missing from the bible, both due to inaccurate translations/transcriptions and men who had ill intent.
Got it? Excellent.
Re-wind four years. there was a proposition on the ballot of Arizona to state that Marriage would only be recognized between one man and one woman. It also went further and denied the possibility of civil unions, eliminating the possibility of shared insurance, visitation rights, and so forth.
I voted NO. It didn't pass.
This year the proposition simply called for an amendment that would define "Marriage" as being between one man and one woman.
I voted YES. It passed.
Now people would like to string me up for the second vote and call me intolerant, but do they praise the first? I have friends who are gay, lesbian, bi- and trans-sexual. I respect the beliefs of others even when they conflict with my own, I respect them. I don't care what you believe or practice so long as it doesn't hurt anyone. I only ask that you don't hit on me (applies to heterosexual males too, I'm married, bugger off! [humor folks]).
People should have a right to see their loved ones in the hospital, they should have the right to make end-of-life decisions for a partner. They should be able to buy a home together and share insurance. I am perfectly fine with civil unions.
One can't really control who or what (personality traits, physical characteristics) one finds attractive, I know that. However I am of a firm belief that marriage was and is for the union of a man and a woman.* To lift each other up, support each other, and bring children into this world to nurture and raise.
I also believe that marriage is a religious covenant that government happens to recognize and offer additional benefits for. Let the churches decide what marriage is, but offer the same governmental benefits to others. Your church recognizes same-sex unions as marriage? Good for them, that's their belief.
Now does that sound like I hate homo/bi/trans-sexual people and want them to be second-class citizens? I doubt it. I don't care what your sexual orientation is. It doesn't affect me (sans flirting, see previous comment), it doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter.
Don't harass people because they voted. You don't like the way it turned out? Talk rationally, make your argument. Don't go around painting everyone with the same brush and beat people up, destroy property, attack religious and holy places, or drag peoples names, beliefs, and everything else they hold sacred through the mud.
You can't blame the LDS Church for the fact that it didn't pass. People voted on what they personally believed, not necessarily because they felt another group should be punished.
Hopefully that makes plain my views on the matter, questions welcome.
Now, I haven't called names, I haven't gnashed teeth, I have kept a civil tongue and would appreciate it if others did the same.
*Let me know if you want a separate essay on my views on polygamy.