OK, I realize this fight is never going to go away. There will always be a fight for “rights” and “equality”. But this is taking things as far as it can.

Apparently in Arizona there is consideration for “…new attorneys to swear they will not let their views on sexual orientation get in the way of providing legal services.” ‘Licensing’ morality out of the law

What’s next? We already can’t talk about CHRISTmas for fear it will offend someone, BUT we can certainly talk about Kwanza and/or Hanuka without any problem at all. What is wrong with you people? We are in this country because we chose to be here. We chose to be here because we are allowed our religious freedom…. Freedom? This is sounding more and more like confinement and subject to ridicule and harassment.

Get over it already! BE FREE! Be free to choose what religion you choose. Be free to express your beliefs. Be free to live and be happy. Just DON’T impose your choices on other peoples freedom.

Again, this all comes down to MARRIAGE being a RELIGIOUS Act of freedom. Marriage is between a man and a woman, religiously bound here on earth and in heaven. To bring forth children and create families, to continue in what the world is created for.

May we all look forward to a very Happy, Healthy and Successful New year!

Well folks, we are in for quite a fight. Campbell’s Soup Co. is BIG, they are HUGE. They have since joined the opposition and are promoting homosexuality as good and wholesome. How sad!

Yes, I titled this entry, “No More Surprises”. There is nothing they won’t do, no one they won’t try to influence. It does not surprise me anymore. This only means we need to be stronger then ever before. We need to be louder then ever before. We can not sit back and be hushed, even with these large companies joining the war. Thank you to Beetle Blogger for posting this vital information and link to write to Campbell’s Soup Co. and ask them to please remain neutral. This is what we do. Please go to the link and send your letter.

I must say, on the one hand I am anxiously awaiting to hear what happens next. Every time something pops up in the news about this issue, I am glued to the TV. Of course, on the other hand I do wish it would at least sub-side for the holidays. I would imagine the next few weeks leading up to the inauguration that things will get extremely heated. I must also say that Obama’s choice for the invocation at his inauguration was PERFECT. But because of that, we will see some excitement in the days to come.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas to be enjoyed with family and friends. Please travel safe, if you must at all. Us Californians aren’t used to all this cold weather and waking up to ICE everywhere. Be safe, stay warm, Merry CHRISTmas!

As we start this Christmas season, I want to wish ALL of you a very Merry Christmas.  Hopefully things will cool down a little over the holiday break.  
 

Yes, I took a break for a while and will be breaking again through the holiday break.  But will be ready to go again after the first of the new year.  I know this is a good thing to be doing.  I know it will be tough.  I am very glad to see ALL the support from “most” of my readers.  Every once in a while I will get a negative comment letting me know that what we have started. . . “they will finish”.  I don’t doubt that this will be a LONG fought war, and we might not win every battle in store.  But that will NEVER change my mind or thoughts or feelings about what Marriage is… between a man and a woman.

As I’m writing this, there are thoughts coming to mind about “them”.  Can anyone tell me why it is when “they” do get married that more often then not one of them is always portraying the opposite sex?  For example, when Ellen DeGenerus (sp?) got married to her model partner, why did the model wear the dress and Ellen wore the pants?  Is that not contradictory to what they are fighting for?  That has been on my mind for quite some time.
 

In any case, I want to reach out to those of you who are in support and are fighting to protect Marriage.  Thank you for the great comments.  Keep up the good work.  Your strength helps me tremendously, so thank you!

I have been quiet for a while. Yes, I was tired of all the arguing and frustration. It’s really plain and simple, we were at the beginning of the war. It was a great battle fought… no bloodshed, no major injuries. Rather harsh words and vandalism. It is sad to know that our world has changed so much. Things have become so “normal” so “all the time”. Yes, there have been some good changes. We must always seek to progress in knowledge and spirituality, however, we have become a world of WAY TOO MUCH agency. Yes, we have the choice to do and say what we will, but when that choice infringes on other peoples agency then clearly something is wrong.

What ever happened to courtesy? To respect? To just being kind? It is amazing how abusive we have become as a people. I am constantly hearing from my mother, “I never LET you do that.” Or “You would have never gotten away with that.” How much are getting away with now? How much are we allowing other people to get away with?

I know I sound like I’m babbling, and maybe I am. We all want peace, love and joy in the world… heck, I would be happy with just in California! Oh well, Have a very Merry CHRISTmas to all.

OK, I know how we have been asked NOT to retaliate in all the protesting going on, however, when I heard about what Oprah was discussing on today’s show (Nov 15th), I had to chime in. I have been writing posts on her site about how I hope this show will not be completely one-sided. Her guest star is Melissa Etheridge, and apparently Melissa is all “fired up” about prop 8.

Hmmm…. I wonder why?

I just read a great quote from Sir Elton John who is basically saying to leave well enough alone.  He has been with his partner for several years and enjoys all the rights and protections that any couple deserves.  It’s just a name, let it go.

It is more and more frustrating to watch TV shows let alone news channels any more.  This will sound horrible, I know, but thanks to the fires in Montecito, this issue has been taken out of the media for a little while.  And don’t get me started on fires and high wind warnings… let’s call out to all the arsons out there and make sure they know which days will be the best to start a fire!  Ok enough.

I know there are a lot of Oprah fans out there.  Today’s program is going to be extremely frustrating to watch.  Apparently Oprah has already turned away several viewers after making a spectacle of herself last week after the elections were over.  She was rude and ruthless, talk about reverse racism.  At least Ellen has been civil about this whole thing.  Although my husband says I am ban from watching her show either… hahaha.

The fight has just begun.  We have rested for a day, and now are being called up to grin and bare the persecution, turn the other cheek.  I walked my dog this morning wearing my Yes on 8 t-shirt, although I live in a great community where there has been very little if any vandalism or protests.  I will continue to fight and stand tall.

In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause.  Our young people have been especially subject to mean spirited comments by high school friends and teachers.  We have nothing to be ashamed of.  We did nothing wrong.  In fact, we did everything that a civic minded American can and should do.  I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better.  For example:

 

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California.  There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.
 
2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote.  If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.
 
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign.   Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
 
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign.  Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.
 
5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations.  The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
 
6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8.  Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8.  Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.
 
7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8.  This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama.  No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.
 
8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).
 
9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations.   Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims –all supported Yes on 8.  It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California.  Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members. 
 
10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8.  Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self.  Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with “civility, respect and love,” despite their differing views.
 
11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state.  This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” The phrase “separation of church and state”, which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law.  U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues.  The Church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.
 
12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens:  they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process.  For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way.  Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse.  The fact is, we simply did what Americans do – we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.  

 

Hold your heads up high – you did a great job on this most important cause.  We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process.  Let’s remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time. 

 

These are my personal opinions and thoughts; any errors are mine and in now way reflect official Church policy or doctrine.  

I just found out that the mormons only made up 4% of the entire 52% who voted to pass prop 8.  So what does donating money to the campaign have to do with the other 48% who voted to pass prop 8?  It’s not as if the mormons gave that money to the individual voters to make sure they were going to vote yes… GMAB!  Why are you chastising the individual people who were asked and chose on their own to donate money to this extremely important cause.  It’s not as if the mormon church itself donated the money.  It was the individual people who were asked and chose for themselves.  Certainly they could have refused and NO, there would have no punishment….again, GMAB!

Here’s something else I just found out, that the entire county of Los Angeles voted to PASS prop 8.  And how many mormons live in LA county?  Why aren’t you turning to your neighbors and chastising them?  West Hollywood is living it’s own little (very small) world.  I enjoy seeing the Temple on National TV.  It’s a beautiful site.  So if you must continue to make your stand, please, go right ahead.  Obviously you don

Have any of you ever seen the cartoon by the Southpark guys?  It shows several religious groups of people in hell.

The Correct Answer | Funny Jokes at JibJab

 

What if the Mormons are right?

This is amazing.  I knew once we passed this amendment that it wouldn’t be over.  These people just won’t stop.  I suppose I have to admire them with there “don’t take no for an answer” attitude.  But really, marching through the streets?  What is that going to do, really.  The people have spoken.  I never really understood why we had to vote on something that the state has nothing to do with in the first place.  Marriage is a religious issue, it’s not a “right”.  This has nothing to do with equality.  Yes, we are all human beings made after the image of the one who created us (NO, not monkeys!).  We were NOT born nor created with sexual preferences.  We WERE born with different physical anatomies.  How we choose to use what has been given us is OUR prerogative.  Marriage, by definition, is the union of a MAN and a WOMAN.  That’s it, plain and simple.  Why are we arguing over the definition of a word?  Are we going to start changing other definitions?  

It is frustrating to watch how people are trying to put the blame on religions.  IT IS A RELIGIOUS ISSUE.  If you are not allowed to join a certain religion because of your sexual preference, and that goes against everything that religion believes and teaches, then why continue to fight it.  Why would you want to be a part of something that does not want you.  I know, that is sad, you are right, but why force other people to change their values and beliefs?  Are we forcing you to do that?  NO.  We are not asking you to go to the back of the bus.  You are welcome to sit down right next to any of us.  We are not telling you who you can and can not love.  You have the freedom to love anyone or anything (for that matter).  We are simply asking you to leave the definition of Marriage, between a MAN and a WOMAN alone.  We are asking that you allow us to teach our children how we see fit, and you have that same right.

Perhaps we can come up with another name/term for your union…. how about Splice or Merge or Unify.  Certainly your time can be better spent then marching around town showing your anger towards other people not like you.

 Yes the Victory of this battle is ours!  We fought a good fight and are exhausted.  HOWEVER, we all know it’s NOT over, and it won’t be over until they have torn apart the only true sacred thing on this earth.

I agree, this is a very personal issue and should be thought through individually.  For those of you out there who say “it doesn’t really matter”, you need to think this through.  I love the football and rugby analysis, yes, this is the same but very different.  Human beings are the same but very different.  Skin colors are different, genes and chromosomes are different, heights are different.  There’s nothing wrong with being different.  How many young people are constantly striving to “stand out” and BE DIFFERENT!

Religions are different.  Not all religions believe in God (or “a” God).  Some believe in idols or science.  Most churches have missionaries who are sent out to preach their gospel and try to convert others to join them.  Which one is true?  Which one is right for me?  No one can answer that but YOU!  You will hear all kinds of testimonies from people who have been taught a certain way.  Do they believe what they preach?  Do you?

I believe that Marriage is a religious sanctity.  When two people wish to be married, normally they will approach THEIR religious sanctuary and speak to their Bishop, or Priest, or Pastor, or whomever is at the helm of their church.  Marriages are performed by those who have the authority of their sanctuary.  Most sanctuaries will “prefer” that the couple first be members of their sanctuary, and perhaps even take classes together for preparation of this beautiful and sacred step in their lives.  Most religions believe that this is the first step to  the great commandment of multiplying and replenishing the earth.

I’m sorry, I am trying so very hard to stay focused and not get too excited, however, when a group of people are demanding and literally pushing their life-style onto me and my family, I can not and will not just sit idly by and watch.  While gay and lesbian people are in deed people, their life-styles are completely different.  I won’t even say wrong, just different.  What they are asking for is to be able to call themselves the SAME as anyone else, and they are NOT!  They have the same benefits, rights, privileges as a partnership – YES, THE EXACT SAME BENEFITS.  Much like football and rugby have rules of the game, there are two teams, there is a winner and a loser, but the name of the game is DIFFERENT.

Just let it go, please.