A Serious Issue
I have been hesitant to post about this issue in the past, because I have no desire to offend anyone nor create a flame war. However, I have realized how truly important this issue is, and I feel that it is morally imperative that I speak about it in the online community.
The issue I refer to is Proposition 8 on the California ballot for this November. For those of you who do not know, Prop 8 is an amendment to the California state constitution which will define marriage as between one man and one woman. In the year 2000, the people of California voted for this very definition by a 61% majority. However, earlier this year, the California Supreme Court overturned that vote by a margin of 4 to 3, opening the door to same-gender marriage in this state.
I fully support Proposition 8, and plan to vote in favor of it on the November ballot. It is an effort to re-establish the will of the people of California, and to re-affirm the institution of marriage as it has been defined throughout history.
I have a good number of online and offline friends who oppose proposition 8, be they homosexual or otherwise. I enjoy chatting/corresponding online with them, and I value their friendship. About a month ago, several of my online friends found out about my support for this proposition, and I was immediately bombarded with debate, accusation, and disbelief. I was told that I was supporting discrimination, hate, and bigotry.
Please understand: this proposition has absolutely nothing to do with discrimination nor hate in any form, despite the efforts of the opposition to label it as such. It simply seeks to preserve an institution that has been central to human civilization since before recorded history. It does not remove any rights nor privileges from same-sex couples in any way.
I want the online community to know of my support for this proposition, and I want to spread the word to my fellow Californians who value the institution of marriage.
NOTE: Again, I have no desire to start a flame war here. I welcome objective discussion; not debate nor flaming. (For reference, I define discussion as the mutual, friendly sharing of ideas with the intent to inform, understand, and learn. Debate is defined as two parties firmly established in their own positions, each attempting to discredit and debunk the opposition.) Please do not push me on this; if I see any attempts to debate or flame, those posts will be screened/deleted.
The issue I refer to is Proposition 8 on the California ballot for this November. For those of you who do not know, Prop 8 is an amendment to the California state constitution which will define marriage as between one man and one woman. In the year 2000, the people of California voted for this very definition by a 61% majority. However, earlier this year, the California Supreme Court overturned that vote by a margin of 4 to 3, opening the door to same-gender marriage in this state.
I fully support Proposition 8, and plan to vote in favor of it on the November ballot. It is an effort to re-establish the will of the people of California, and to re-affirm the institution of marriage as it has been defined throughout history.
I have a good number of online and offline friends who oppose proposition 8, be they homosexual or otherwise. I enjoy chatting/corresponding online with them, and I value their friendship. About a month ago, several of my online friends found out about my support for this proposition, and I was immediately bombarded with debate, accusation, and disbelief. I was told that I was supporting discrimination, hate, and bigotry.
Please understand: this proposition has absolutely nothing to do with discrimination nor hate in any form, despite the efforts of the opposition to label it as such. It simply seeks to preserve an institution that has been central to human civilization since before recorded history. It does not remove any rights nor privileges from same-sex couples in any way.
I want the online community to know of my support for this proposition, and I want to spread the word to my fellow Californians who value the institution of marriage.
NOTE: Again, I have no desire to start a flame war here. I welcome objective discussion; not debate nor flaming. (For reference, I define discussion as the mutual, friendly sharing of ideas with the intent to inform, understand, and learn. Debate is defined as two parties firmly established in their own positions, each attempting to discredit and debunk the opposition.) Please do not push me on this; if I see any attempts to debate or flame, those posts will be screened/deleted.