Prop 8 needs a closer look

Editor: Although the election is still a few months ahead, I feel it is important to get the truth about the marriage amendment out early as opinions are forming. Californians resolutely passed Proposition 22 by more than 61 percent in 2000 in favor of marriage between a man and a woman only. As our judicial system overturned the will of the people they not only affected our state but the western United States. Critics say that Proposition 8 -- the marriage amendment is about hate and discrimination which is not true. It is about legalized love, obligations, privileges, that affect the basic ideal or building block of our society. Anyone who votes for this amendment because they hate homosexuals is voting for the wrong reason. Any homosexual who votes against this amendment because they think it is based on hate and discrimination is voting for the wrong reason.

There are leaders in the homosexual community urging their voters to vote for the amendment. They are smart enough to know the chaos in society that will come about if it is not passed. Catholic Charities who among others who have helped with adoptions have been forced to close for religious reasons.

Clergy may be accused of hate crimes if they preach against the practice of homosexuality based on religious beliefs.

Most preach love of the person and disfavor of the practice. Will clergy be forced to marry homosexuals or not perform marriages at all? Will this be the end to public service organizations like Catholic Charities and the Boy Scouts of America?

Thanks to the governor, from kindergarten up the ideal of marriage has been diminished in our schools with serious implications.

Homosexuals have all rights of married couples except marriage which is an ideal that needs to be preserved. Marriage is an ideal and many heterosexuals have tainted it but it is an ideal worth pursuing.

Stephen Todd

Lemoore

(July 30, 2008)