Proposition 8 - The Ban on Gay Marriage: In Review & Morals and Government

The last month there has been serious media coverage on the controversial issue of California's Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage. On November 19, 2008, 52.3% of the California population ratified the proposition, writing it into the state constitution.

In the weeks to follow, serious out-lashes from anti-prop 8 fans filled the media as demonstrations were held and christian people were persecuted for their right to vote. Many anti-prop 8 demonstrators held signs that read, "When can we vote on your marriage," or "Proposition H8," etc. In one instance, a 69 year old woman holding a cross was knocked over and her cross was stomped on by demonstrators.

For some reason, Mormons got a lot of the blame for proposition 8 passing, as many Latter-Day Saints contributed to the efforts of proposition 8. For this reason, many Mormon-run businesses were threatened to be boycotted, the artistic director of the California Musical Theatre resigned because his business was threatened after demonstrators learned that he had donated $1000 to the cause, in two occasions mail filled with a mysterious white powder was sent to two separate Mormon temples, and many other christian churches were vandalized or protested by gay rights activists. In response to the violent out-lash from the gay activists, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stated the following statement:

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.

Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.

While those who disagree with our position on proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.

Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information."

On a side note, previous to the ratification of proposition 8, many top tier businesses including Apple and Google came out publicly to express their dislike of the proposition. Apple even donated $100,000 to the anti proposition 8 cause. Though I feel it important for individuals to express their view on politics, I am strongly against businesses flexing their political muscle over their customers and employees. From my opinion, it was wrong for both Google, Apple, or any other business to be for or against proposition 8, or any other political cause.

Due to the out-lashes and protests from gay activists, the state Supreme Court of California has recently taken the proposition into review, as many legal cases have been filed against it. If the court overturns the proposition, we can be sure that we as a people are no longer in control of our country that is now ruled by the minority and not the majority of voices.

In an attempt to dismount the votes of those who voted out of religious belief or preference, many have eluded to the idea that people shouldn't vote based upon morals. In response to any who may have concluded or even considered the idea that the voice of christian people shouldn't be be heard due to their 'biased' opinions and morals, I present the following thought.

Morals and Government:

Separation of church and state prescribes simply that religion doesn't govern the state, and that the state doesn't govern the religion (or in other words freedom of religion). Though religion isn't to govern the state, many falsely infer that this decree also means that the morals of an individual shouldn't be involved in government decisions. Nearly any choice we make on a daily basis is based upon our moral comprehension of the world around us. To throw morals aside on any issue, such as this one, is to blow smoke into the wind, or in other words, is to draw the line nowhere and in a sense is to see government deteriorate. If government was to throw all morals aside, we would see our day would end with no rules or regulations, and Americans could do absolutely whatever they wanted. This sounds like anarchy to me.

Though I'm not saying that proposition 8 prescribes anarchy, I am making the point that morality has a place in government.

We as a people are defined by the way we govern ourselves and by the rules and regulations we put on ourselves. To throw all morals aside is to overturn any law in government, because what is any law, but a regulation of our morals. In others words, without morals, there is no need for any laws.

What is a man without morals.