Yes on Proposition 8!

Ever hear the adage about calling "evil good and good evil"¹? Well, that's how I feel about the situation that's erupted in California regarding Proposition 8. This is an issue that is very important to me, so it's kind of a no-brainer that I'm blogging about it.

For those who are not familiar with Proposition 8, it's time that you become familiar with it! A vote "yes" on Prop 8 will add the following 14 words to the California state constitution:

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

A vote "no" on Prop 8 will give no definition of "marriage", leaving the word open for interpretation.

Of course there are many debates about the constitutionality of this proposition, the biggest being in regards to "equal rights". However, I believe that the core of it all has nothing to do with "equal rights" per se. In fact, "domestic partnerships" have the same rights as "married" couples, as found in the California Family Code (Section 297.5 a). Instead, the debate has to do with the consequences of the Proposition failing. According to whatisprop8.com, there are 6 consequences if Prop 8 is not passed, namely the following:

1. Children in public schools will be required to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as the traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
2. There is a good possibility that churches may be sued over their tax-exempt status.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged.
4. Religions that sponsor school with married student-housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples.
5. Ministers that preach against same-sex marriage may be sued for hate speech and receive government fines.
6. It will cost you money from ensuing lawsuits that would come from Prop 8 being voted against.

Anyway, so why is this such a big deal for us non-Californians? Because even though we are not directly affected by it currently, if Prop 8 is voted against, we will become directly affected by it down the road. Let me give you a couple of insights. For those of you who are LDS, this first paragraph is for you, although other religious communities are being affected similarly. First of all, the Church has become a very active supporter of Prop 8, donating to the cause and encouraging members who can to donate as well. On top of that, the Church is getting hit pretty hard by "no" voters. A friend showed me a blog that shares an experience about protesters in front of the Oakland Temple not too long ago. You can click here to read the story from someone who experienced it herself. Also, another friend of mine living in CA reported the following to me:

"Well, I haven't heard about the protesters in front of the temple, but there has been a TON of vandalism to the church building in SF and to the 'vote YES on 8' signs everywhere. Ours was stolen out of our front yard in the middle of the day. It's too bad people see it more as anti-gay and don't realize that if Prop 8 does NOT pass, everyone will lose the right to know what their children are taught in school regarding homosexuality. Whose responsibility is it to teach your children about homosexuality? Definitely NOT the schools! Homosexual couples don't lose ANY rights if Prop 8 passes...they just can't call it marriage.'"

And the LDS community is not the only religious community being hit by this. In Massachusetts where a similar amendment has already been rejected, the Catholic Church had to shut down its adoption services because it was against sending children into same-sex marriage households. What's the potential future of other religious institutions (including the LDS Church) who hold to their beliefs that marriage is a sacred institution, strictly between a man and a woman?

Another big issue is the possibility that children will be taught that same-sex marriage is okay and normal. Again, in public schools in Massachusetts, children under the age of 8 are being read books that focus on same-sex relationships. In California, a group of 1st graders went on a field trip to their teacher's lesbian wedding (and it happened on my birthday of all days...sad day)! Even though schools are required to keep parents informed of curriculum, some parents are having a hard time getting schools to inform them of when such "education" will be given to their children, making it hard to pull their kids out of the class rooms on those days.

Those are just a couple of points to show how we are also affected by this huge issue. In my opinion, I believe that Prop 8 should be legalized. Many argue "equal right" issues in regards to Prop 8. If one digs enough, one finds that it's the opponents of Prop 8 that are against "equal rights", whether it's intentional or not. Already found in the CA constitution is an amendment giving same-sex couples the same rights as married couples (Family Code, Section 297.5 a).

The way I see it, Prop 8 gives those specific institutions the right to keep their values of keeping marriage between a man and a woman; it also gives same-sex couples the rights to have domestic partnerships and maintain married rights. I think that allows for much better "equal rights", as opposed to rejecting Prop 8 and forcing people and organizations who believe in the "traditional" marriage to silence their voices.

As far as schools go, they should leave the whole aspect of same-sex and traditional marriage out and leave that subject to the parents. If sex education is such an important aspect of public education, keep it within the following bounds: maintaining abstinence until married, STDs, and the anatomy of the body. That should keep things on neutral ground, while allowing "equal rights" to remain much more equal than saying "no" to Prop 8 and forcing unwanted values on many people and families.

So with that said, I'm all about voting "YES" on Prop 8!!!

Why My Life Is So Good!

Yeah, so even though it looks like my college career is being extended by another year (it's a long story), life is still pretty good. Let's look at a few of the reasons why my life is so good right now:

1. I just bought a car! It's a white '94 Honda Accord LX. She's a beaute! My Benz killed over during the summer...I'm glad I'm done driving it; I don't think you're supposed to always have a knot in your stomach every time you drive your car. That's bad.
2. I'm living in a new complex! 3 years in the same complex as a single person is just too long. Change feels good. Plus this ward seems to yield a greater amount of girls older than 20-21. Although I personally believe no ward will ever top or replace the BYU 106th ward, it feels good to be in a different environment.
3. I'm taking my advanced SCUBA class! Plus, I have an awesome diving partner (too bad she has a boyfriend...I really hope she doesn't get around to reading this - that'd be kinda awkward...I guess I know how Jim Halpert felt for awhile, right?).
4. A new season of The Office has begun! I cheered when Jim proposed to Pam in the rain. Out loud.
   
5. My dating life isn't so bleak so far! My first date in almost 6 months happened this past Tuesday. It was a blind date. This weekend I have another blind date. Next weekend I have yet another blind date. If I ever make it down to St George, I'll have another blind date waiting for me. As it got nearer to heading back to Provo, it seemed as though all of my friends suddenly became concerned about the eternal welfare of my soul and wanted to give me a jump start on the wife-search...and I'm okay with that. I say, "Bring it on."
6. My sister flies out for Thanksgiving! She gets in the Thursday before the week of Thanksgiving, will hang out with me in Provo that whole weekend and through Monday, then we are off to Idaho, where my bro and his wife and kids are. We'll be there for the week. This will be the first time the kids do their own Thanksgiving away from home. A new tradition has just begun. I'm stoked!
7. General Conference is this weekend! I'm heading up to SLC for the Saturday sessions and probably priesthood as well. It looks like it'll be just me for the trip, but I'm okay with that...I'll probably enjoy the alone time immensely, and the chances of getting a conference ticket for one are probably greater anyway. Sunday I'll be at a friend's family's house watching conference there (and eating strawberry waffles - yum).
8. A family I baptized in Germany isn't inactive after all! Last I had heard (a while back) this mother and son had gone inactive. I recently found out from my last comp, Elder Jones, that they are active, they just go to the Heidelberg ward instead of the Mannheim ward. That makes me happy. I hope she's working toward going to the temple now.
9. I keep my job! Last winter semester I interviewed LDS Germans in Utah for a research project. I get to do the exact same thing this semester!
10. I'm serving in the community! Every Wednesday morning I volunteer at Provo High for an hour and a half and help students improve their reading. It's pretty rewarding and I enjoy it immensely.
11. I have amazing friends! I've been pretty blessed to be around awesome people. I have great friends, and I've been starting some really good friendships this semester as well (yes, that means you too).
    

Anyway, those are just a few things. Most of them are just on the surface. I think it's just from living life and trying to be the best I can be that the joy comes.