Post Election Update:
With 95% of the votes counted, Proposition 8 has passed with 52% of Californians voting to amend the state constitution to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. What do you think? What does this outcome say about California? How did you vote and why? With the electorate split nearly 50-50 on an issue that is so personal for so many on both sides, what happens now?
All eyes are on Prop 8 this year as Californians decide whether or not to amend the state constitution to prohibit same sex couples from marrying. Is this an issue of civil rights or religious freedom? What about the separation of church and state? With only a slim majority required to pass the measure, is California's constitution headed to the drafting table?
California already has strong domestic partnerships, but many proponents of Prop 8 invoke the civil rights movement and call domestic partnerships a discriminating example of "separate but equal." Many opponents of the proposition say marriage is not a civil issue, but a question of religious beliefs.
But what business does government have in sacramental language in the first place? Should government leave the marriage business entirely, and hand out only civil unions, allowing other institutions to use the term "marriage," thereby keeping religious beliefs and civil rights separate?
How do you think Californians on both sides will move forward once this issue is decided?
It is a perversion of public policy to decide such questions by referendum.
Morality can be neither legislated by an institution ( The Congress ) or by a helter-skelter sampling of voters in a hastily conceived campaign at one instant in time, (referenda).
This approach mocks the rule of law.
If the definition of what is or isn't moral, proper, valid, legal;- as in what constitutes a marriage, can be determined by the fleeting whims of the electorate, then let's eliminate the legislative and judicial branches of government.
Other Items that Might be resolved by Referendum:
1. Outlawing/Mandating Abortion
2. Outlawing/Mandating the death penalty
3. Outlawing/Mandating the second amendment to the Constitution.
4. Legalizing/Criminalizing drugs of your choice.
5. Outlawing alcohol/Lowering the drinking age to 16.
6. Making gum-chewing illegal.
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state — and first in the nation's heartland — to allow same-sex couples to wed.
Iowa joins only Massachusetts and Connecticut in permitting same-sex marriage. For six months last year, California's high court allowed gay marriage before voters banned it in November.
The Iowa justices upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman.
I am ALL for same sex marriage. While I am not gay personally I have a lot of friends that are and they are happy. That is all that matters in the world is to be happy so to each his own. People love who they love and the rest of the world should just keep their noses out of it, it has nothing to do with you!
agree.
Unfortunately getting the justice that individual groups and people deserve will be a long trip.
Every one has certain opinions but I do not see anything wrong with same sex marriage..who am I to judge?
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Same-sex marriage is not a political issue, however I think we should not allow this. Jesus commanded us to judge, yes judge, with righteous judgment.
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Gays and Lesbians are also human beings and are subject to equal rights as well. It is a very delicate topic as to whether or not - advocate on allowing them to take the vow of marriage.
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I don't understand how same sex relationships could be a crime. Old fashioned or not, that just seems ridiculous. Why should homosexuals not have the same rights that we do as heterosexuals. Sure, it might make some people feel uncomfortable, but that's no reason to discriminate. If a man wants to marry another man, then that is his choice, so let him do it. It's not affecting my day to day life nor yours!!
Very interesting argument. I don't understand such negativity towards same sex marriage. People need to stop bashing their own views and morality on others.
Well unfortunately that is exactly what a pure democracy is, the majority rule. But as this shows it does not work properly, you end up in a situation where a state goes almost bankrupt due to the propositions which constrain it.
What about the idea of 'consenting adults in private' being able to do whatever they wish? I know that in some states this is not legal, but who exactly is being harmed?
11/02/2008 3:22:12 PM
