I sent the following email today to every email address I have with the exception of family, other church members, professors, and business clients. I wanted to especially contact those that were not of my faith and those in my age group that may be inclined to vote no. I bcc'd each email address to protect their privacy. I have not received any feedback from the dozens of people who received this email but I hope it will give people a reason to take a closer look at Prop 8 and the severe consequences failure of this critical ballot measure could entail.I am a believer in showing tolerance to others, but for some reason tolerance only seems to go one way. Those whose core values differ from those that oppose prop 8 are frequently labeled bigoted or hateful. Those that support Prop 8 only ask that you review some of the consequences of Prop 8 not passing and make up your own mind. I respect those that have differing beliefs and I believe I am entitled to that same respect. Four unelected judges have overturned the will of 61% of the California electorate in overturning Prop 22. I believe that judicial activism of that sort is dangerous. Again, please review the following 6 consequences and make up your own mind. Prop 8 does not take way any civil rights that homosexuals now enjoy under the California Legal Code. Remember, tolerance is a two-way street.
Thank You.
Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails
1. Public Schools. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code (§51890) already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the rights of parents to teach their children
their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Adoption. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.
4. Private Schools. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.
5. Free Speech. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A California court recently held that municipal employees may not say "traditional marriage" or "family values" because, since the legalization of same-sex marriage, it is "hate speech".
6. Litigation. It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. For example, some cases already lost: photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages; doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money – your money – that will be spent on
such legal battles.
And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot foresee at this time.
Where will it end? It's about your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your civil liberties.
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