Halloween can be a scary time, and not because of the ghosts and vampires going door to door but because of safety concerns regarding trick-or-treating. As parents it is our duty to protect our children on Halloween and every other day of the year.
Proposition 8 protects our children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage. In health education classes, state law requires teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. (Education Code §51890.) If the same-sex marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. (see www.protectmarriage.com)
Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits from gay or lesbian domestic partners. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits” as married spouses. (Family Code §297.5.) There are no exceptions to this. Proposition 8 will not change this.(see www.protectmarriage.com)
As parents of children, we ask that you join with us to protect children without endangering equality and vote YES on Proposition 8.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Consideration on Proposition 8
By Josh Bradshaw
I believe all men and women are created equal and that all should have the same rights regardless of race, religion, gender, social status or any other categorization. I also believe the first marriage was performed by God between Adam and Eve and marriage originated as a religious ceremony. Two beliefs that are reported by many to be at odds when it comes to Proposition 8 on the ballot which would amend the constitution of the State of California to read: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
How can I reconcile equality with religious belief? How can I decide with finality the correct course of action for the pen in my hand on this fall's ballot without fear of offending those living in monogamous homosexual relationships and at the same time not offend a loving God who created all of his children?
I reconcile the two beliefs by considering the following: Over time in national, state and local governments legal benefits have been associated with marriage, the union between a man and a woman. These benefits are significant enough that those who cannot obtain marital status feel they are, although created equal, not considered equal. Among those who feel this way are some of my friends, co-workers and family members, people who I respect and consider created equal to all of the other members of the human race.
I then consider the equality problem as not that same-sex couples cannot marry but that same-sex couples feel they cannot obtain the same government-granted legal benefits associated with marriage. In granting marriage to same-sex couples, the State of California effectively breaks marriage as established by God; mending domestic partnership, creating a legal union equivalent granting spousal benefits similar to those achieved through traditional marriage for same sex partners could possibly be solutions for equality. There are also possible alternatives that would instead of increasing benefits granted to homosexual couples, decrease benefits granted to heterosexual married couples.
While strongly believing equality belongs to all people in this state and nation and the entire Earth, I support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman because I believe there is a way for equality to exist, for equal rights for everyone, without same-sex marriage. I will vote YES on Proposition 8 in the election this November.
I believe all men and women are created equal and that all should have the same rights regardless of race, religion, gender, social status or any other categorization. I also believe the first marriage was performed by God between Adam and Eve and marriage originated as a religious ceremony. Two beliefs that are reported by many to be at odds when it comes to Proposition 8 on the ballot which would amend the constitution of the State of California to read: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
How can I reconcile equality with religious belief? How can I decide with finality the correct course of action for the pen in my hand on this fall's ballot without fear of offending those living in monogamous homosexual relationships and at the same time not offend a loving God who created all of his children?
I reconcile the two beliefs by considering the following: Over time in national, state and local governments legal benefits have been associated with marriage, the union between a man and a woman. These benefits are significant enough that those who cannot obtain marital status feel they are, although created equal, not considered equal. Among those who feel this way are some of my friends, co-workers and family members, people who I respect and consider created equal to all of the other members of the human race.
I then consider the equality problem as not that same-sex couples cannot marry but that same-sex couples feel they cannot obtain the same government-granted legal benefits associated with marriage. In granting marriage to same-sex couples, the State of California effectively breaks marriage as established by God; mending domestic partnership, creating a legal union equivalent granting spousal benefits similar to those achieved through traditional marriage for same sex partners could possibly be solutions for equality. There are also possible alternatives that would instead of increasing benefits granted to homosexual couples, decrease benefits granted to heterosexual married couples.
While strongly believing equality belongs to all people in this state and nation and the entire Earth, I support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman because I believe there is a way for equality to exist, for equal rights for everyone, without same-sex marriage. I will vote YES on Proposition 8 in the election this November.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
This Election
I have been trying to research as much as I can about the upcoming presidential election but I find myself still undecided. I am trying to base my decision more on facts than popularity but there are facts on both sides.
One thing that I can relate to personally is that I am a home owner and the bad economy is effecting us more than other issues. Maybe if I were still in college, I would care more about issues like global warming and such ( don't take me wrong, I still care about these issues) but at this stage of my life, the bad economy is effecting us directly. I have tried to see the both sides of this Bail out plan, but have not come in peace either way. Josh thinks it is a bad idea because it will put our country in more debt and will cause more inflation than we have right now. I think, if they don't bail out we might go into a depression. What do you think and why? Are we better off with another republican or we are ready for a democrat? Is there any way out of this big financial crisis? Who has the better plan?
Here is a link to a video that I came across and it is interesting. It is still biased but informative. Let me know what you think of it. As citizens, I believe it is our duty to research (even pray) before we cast our votes. It is a very crucial time.
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
The video is about 10 minutes. You probably don't need the sound. It is just a loud music.
One thing that I can relate to personally is that I am a home owner and the bad economy is effecting us more than other issues. Maybe if I were still in college, I would care more about issues like global warming and such ( don't take me wrong, I still care about these issues) but at this stage of my life, the bad economy is effecting us directly. I have tried to see the both sides of this Bail out plan, but have not come in peace either way. Josh thinks it is a bad idea because it will put our country in more debt and will cause more inflation than we have right now. I think, if they don't bail out we might go into a depression. What do you think and why? Are we better off with another republican or we are ready for a democrat? Is there any way out of this big financial crisis? Who has the better plan?
Here is a link to a video that I came across and it is interesting. It is still biased but informative. Let me know what you think of it. As citizens, I believe it is our duty to research (even pray) before we cast our votes. It is a very crucial time.
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
The video is about 10 minutes. You probably don't need the sound. It is just a loud music.
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