photo by brebot
In California we have the opportunity to vote on a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. This vote promises to be a very close one and in California, it’s probably a bigger deal than the presidential election. (The presidential election has been wrapped up for awhile in California).
I see older white families holding “Yes on Prop 8″ signs on busy intersections in the morning. I see younger ethnically diverse people holding “No on Prop 8″ signs on those same intersections at night. It is a very interesting fight considering that 8 years ago, prop 22 was passed with an overwhelming majority (61%).
I can perfectly understand why non-Christians would vote no on 8, but arguments for Christians to vote no on 8 have been popping up. This blog post argues that Christians should vote No on 8 because we should acknowledge religious freedom for all and not all religions think that homosexuality is wrong. Basically, don’t pass laws that force others to be Christian or think like a Christian. Many would use this same argument for abortion. Many would argue that we should vote no in order to ensure the separation of church and state.
One thing these people forget is that there is no such thing as neutrality. Those against prop 8 would have you believe that a No vote is a neutral vote on prop 8. You’re not FOR gay marriage, you’re merely for personal freedom and choice. You’re for allowing people to do what they want to do. You don’t want to restrict people’s freedoms even though personally you believe gay marriage is wrong. They argue, if you’re against men marrying men, then don’t marry another man. But if someone else does it, its none of your business.
They have reframed the debate. A vote for YES is eliminating rights for them. A vote for NO is retaining rights. It’s no longer about gay marriage or being gay. But that is wrong. A YES vote is against gay marriage. A NO vote is for gay marriage. It’s as simple as that. Gay activists know this. They want to trick Christians into voting for gay marriage by reframing the debate.
If gay marriage is legalized, children will grow up in an environment where their sexuality is a choice. It will become a government sanctioned choice. The gay community is slowly transitioning their argument from “it’s genetics!” into “it’s my free will choice.” I personally know a couple people who do choose to be gay. They don’t struggle with it. It’s a choice for them. I know most people do not choose to be gay and wish they weren’t. But it’s not true that “nobody chooses to be gay.” The gay community wants people to have that choice and to choose to be gay. The gay community wants more people to identify with them.
That is why there is this argument about whether or not gay marriage would be taught in schools. If gay marriage is illegal, it likely would not be taught in schools because it is difficult for a teacher to advocate something that is illegal. If gay marriage were legalized, it would make it very easy for teachers to advocate gay marriage. Of course teachers would not be forced to teach gay marriage, but many teachers want to. Many teachers have taught about gay lifestyle and that’s a fact.
So it’s a culture war and the law speaks volumes about what is acceptable in society. If you vote No on prop 8 you’re casting a “gay lifestyle is good vote.” Don’t make any mistake about it. There is no neutrality here.
