Saturday, October 25, 2008

A Little More about Proposition 8

As we get increasingly closer to Election Day, blogs and Web sites all over the Internet are ramping up with articles and opinions on the same-sex marriage issue now being brought up in California. We've seen how things have progressed in Massachusetts to the detriment of the traditional family, and now we face the same thing happening in California and most likely, eventually the rest of the nation.

One of the statements frequently made by those who are voting in favor of same-sex marriage is that to vote against it is an act of hate. I want to state quite emphatically at this time that I don't hate homosexuals. In fact, in my opinion, if a couple of the same gender has fallen in love and wants to spend their lives together, that's great -- send me your address and I'll mail you a toaster. (No, not really -- I can't afford all those toasters.) I don't consider it any of my business how another person conducts their love life, just as I don't consider my love life any of your business. But it becomes my business when the government insists that my children be taught contrary to my beliefs, and homosexuality is contrary to my beliefs.

Lest that be taken to be a hateful statement, let me once again explain. I am vehemently opposed to the idea that school children are being taught how to perform homosexual activity at school. But I am also vehemently opposed to the idea of school children being taught how to perform heterosexual activity at school. Sex, of any nature, is something to be taught by parents, in the home, at the time the child is ready. Some children simply aren't ready for the facts of life until they're a little older. Some are ready to know a little earlier. To take this information, which is most sacred in nature, and to present it in a way that does not take the individual child's level of maturity into consideration, and to offer it with no moral underpinnings at all, is to create epidemics of unbelievable proportions. Epidemics of STDs, teenage pregnancies, abortion. All of which could be avoided with proper moral instruction, and as schools have removed God from the classroom and are no longer allowed to teach anything with a moral foundation, that moral foundation must come from parents in the home.

This lack of religious instruction in the schools is only one of many reasons I've chosen not to send my children to public school. I'm doing everything I can to make sure that my children enter this world with a moral compass. When they go out into the work force and to college, I want them to know who they are, and to have the courage to take a stand. If the lawmakers continue on their current path, and things that are moral are deemed to no longer be issues of morality, what is that going to do to all the other standards we have held so dear? They are going to erode. That's just how it is.

You know, I can't think of any other law ever made that has received so much press in the schools as same-sex marriage. I don't recall new driving laws or tax laws being made into booklets and distributed to school children. Why is that, I wonder?

I urge you wholeheartedly to keep a close eye on the candidates in these last few days before the election. Candace Salima has written a series of political blogs which are informative, well-researched, and intelligent. I encourage you to visit her blog and read every single political entry. This election may be one of the most critically important we've ever had. The outcome of Proposition 8 is going to set a precedent for the rest of the nation. Even if we don't live in California and can't cast our ballot one way or the other on that proposition, we need to be aware of it and to realize that it won't be too much longer before that same type of vote is brought to our own states. We need to stand up and protect our freedom of religion, our freedom to teach our children morals, and to keep God in our lives.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for the shout out, Tristi. I couldn't agree with you more. Truly, had I been able to have children I would have homeschooled them as well. I am aghast at what has been wrought by the approval of gay marriage in Massachusetts. You are so very right that unless we, as Americans, are ever vigilant and vocal in defense of our beliefs, our society and nation will be completely and utterly destroyed. Not from without, but from within.

Thank you for taking such a strong stance!

Candace

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Well said.

Amanda said...

Tristi, I am vehemently against Proposition 8, but I respect everyone's rights to vote how they think/feel is right. I wish that everyone could agree to disagree on this issue so there wouldn't be so much anger and hatred and divisiveness going on. I was curious what information you had regarding education and prop-8. I know there's a lot of misinformation going around, and some scare tactics (on both sides of the argument), but the passing or failing of prop-8 may not have the consequences most of the Yes-on-8 propoganda is peddling. Morris Thurston, an active, faithful LDS member, and a lawyer, has written a counter-point based in law on the "Six Consequences if Proposition 8 Fails" propoganda. If you're interested in reading - it explains a lot about the education thing - it's here. I'm not posting that in order to try to get you to change your mind - you are entitled to whatever you feel is right - but I always think it's a good idea for people to be educated on everything. I'm an education snob, I know! :)

I'm glad that there is the option of homeschool for people who want to do that. I know people who homeschool not for religious reasons, but, for example, they think the school system isn't teaching their kids enough, or they think, as parents, they can do a better job than the public schools. It's wonderful the options our country gives us!

Tristi Pinkston said...

Amanda,

Thank you for sharing your opinion in such a thoughtful, respectful way. I don't mind if people disagree with me as long as we can share our thoughts politely.

My concern with education in regards to Prop 8 is taken from what is happening in Mass. right now, with booklets about homosexual activity being handed out in the high schools. I have no reason to think that this won't be the case in CA or in any other state where same-sex marriage is legalized. But like I said, I would be very unhappy if booklets on how to have heterosexual sex were handed out. It's the same thing -- sex should be taught in an atmosphere that promotes responsibility and morality, and that kind of teaching simply isn't being offered in the schools. Of course, we'll just have to wait and see how things play out, but I believe that what's happening in Mass will happen in other states where same-sex marriage is legalized, and that concerns me. I don't agree with parents being arrested for wanting to know what their children are being taught in school.

Amanda said...

I agree all parents should have the option to opt out of sex-ed (be it homo or heterosexual), and that every parent has a right to know what their kid is learning.

Dan Olsen said...

Amanda,

Morris Thurston states that his comments were taken out of context by the No on 8 folks. See here.

Sum Ergo Cogito said...

Tristi,

I live in Arizona and, we too, are battling the same sex marriage thing this election. I appreciate your thoughtful, well-spoken words. This issue certainly has created a stir and I think that it is a good thing. People are starting to wake up, stand up, and be heard, and THAT is what we need more of in conservative circles. Way too much apathy out there!

Shellie said...

I don't understand why they can't just leave it at civil unions and get on with life. The whole hoopla gives us a unique opportunity to learn from both sides of the issue. We can teach our position on the family and it's importance in society and also the importance of defending a church's right to their beliefs and practices being preserved, but we also have a chance to learn so much about those that are struggling with the challenge of same sex attraction themselves or in a member of their family. We can go a long ways towards dealing with this issue better. Carol Lynn Pearson has some great books on this subject.

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