Support Prop 8

I don't live in California but thought this is important for everyone to know about and do what you can to inform others. This comes from my cousin in law who lives in california. Hope you take the time to read it.

Thanks for the info, April!!
"You don’t think Proposition 8 will affect you? Here are six ways LDS and non-LDS Christians will be effected if Proposition 8 does not pass:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relationship between any two adults. This will be very confusing for our children.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public.
The civil rights activists could fight to keep our church from doing temple marriages since same-sex couples could not be married in our temple or in our churches.

3. 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.
Children deserve to be in a home with a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston have already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or the church will lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
Bishops, stake presidents, and other clergy of other faiths would be liable for hate speech if they taught their congregation that same-sex marriage or same-sex relations are sinful. This is taking away our freedom of religion!

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. 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, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.

As you can see, our rights will be drastically effected by this election. If same sex marriage is
legalized in California I worry that the new definition of marriage will spread like wildfire and our children will reap the consequences. We should have the right to worship as we please—this is why our ancestors came to America in the first place.

But what about equal rights you say? The Gays and Lesbians of California will not lose any rights or benefits for their families if this proposition passes. However, if it does not pass, we (Latter-Day-Saints) could lose everything, including the right to preform temple marriages or civil marriages in our churches. Civil activists could fight to take away the right to marry if we do not open it up equally for all marriage arrangements. No on prop 8 could also take away the right of LDS adoption agencies to place children with LDS mothers and fathers only. Children deserve to be in a home with a mother and a father. We owe it to those children and our own!

If you are a christian or an LDS Californian, you’ve been called to action. Here is how you can help:

First: Get to work by registering to vote at your most recent address—or absentee. October 20th is your deadline. This is a good start. Though your vote is very important, it’s not enough. President Monson asked us members to “… do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.”

Second: Last night the leaders of our church asked you and I to post on our blog our opinion on prop 8—this could be done even if you don’t live in California. Many people who look at your blog may live in California. We need your help too! If anything, please put the consequences of same sex marriage (above) on your blog or if you don’t have a blog please send an email to friends and family or a letter to your newspaper. Do what you can. There is a great link in which Elder Ballard gave to us last night that will help you in your efforts. There is a lot of great material that you can read and or view. The link is http://www.preservingmarriage.org/"

I hope that we all can see the damage this may cause to our beliefs and lifestyles. Please post your opinion on your blog as well. Thanks!!