Proposition 8 was passed on November 8, 2008 in California. The proposition would add a new amendment to the California Constitution which will classify marriage as only a union between man and woman. Proposition 8 has brought a great divide between Californian's and American's abroad. One church that has gained a lot publicity and hatred is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Friendships have been broken and people have left the church because the proposition.
Proposition 8 didn't just pop out of thin air. It has history starting in 2000 with proposition 22 to unequivocally define marriage between a man and woman in California. There were issues with the civil code that promoted changes in that year by legislation because prior to 1977 California's Civil Code was ambiguous about same sex marriage. Many cases including the mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom granting same -sex marriages (that were later overturned) sparked the California Supreme Court to overturn proposition 22 in March 15, 2008.
Proposition 8 was being formed to give proposition 22 back bone before March 2008. The debate began... commercials for and against proposition 8 started taking their course. Many commercials for the proposition were focused on family and the unity of marriage, no gay bashing involved. On the other side those who opposed it used derogatory methods against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. Portraying self-arrogant missionaries stripping away the rights of a same sex married couple. Funding on both sides were extremely close 35 million for the proposition and 37 million against it.
It wasn't the amount that started the riots and protests, but who made the contributions. The religion foundations that have received the most undignified sentiments have been the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many blame the church's affiliation as the reason for success of the proposition. There continue to be allegations of hatred, bigotry; discrimination as being the foundation of the proposition. Several communities compare it to the discrimination of interracial marriage. One can beg to differ. Let's face it the proposition 8 is majorly based on religious faith that is biblical. We live in a democracy that's what the county is built upon. Most would say they have no issues with whom another loves, if that were the case that would be the real discrimination.
So, many Californians' are being described as meaningless followers of religious leaders. When is it ok for Americans to be intimidated for using their fate and religious beliefs to exercise their democratic right? Would it have mattered if any church got involved? Who's to say that people wouldn't have relied only on their beliefs without any involvement of any religion. No one can disagree there are raging emotions of pain and uncertainty for those who want to have that union of marriage. Jim Key, a spokesman for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center stated, "We're making a statement that no one's religious beliefs should be used to deny fundamental rights to others."
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It's easy to say someone's beliefs shouldn't be brought to the ballot booth, because the outcome may affect someone's life. Isn't this America, aren't skinheads, KKK, and other racially motivated affiliations allowed to still rally and have they're websites, because of the first amendment. Many of these affiliations use religion has basis for they're beliefs. Pro life activist beliefs are mainly based on religion. No ones screaming leave religion out of that debate. If we are to eliminate religion motivations for voting or bringing up legal issues to satisfy one side, then we are to abolish what are forefathers have worked so hard for. People speak of tolerance in this issue for same sex couples, but there should be religious tolerance as well.
Logically, any association can put all their work and money into any proposition. However, it is the voter who decides once entering the booth. To say that 52% of Californian's were brainwashed into voting for proposition 8, as if to say that these American's were not in tuned to their own beliefs. Is a disgrace to each individual who voted for it. It was the California citizen who put the proposition into effect not funding from any church. The campaign against the proposition provided more funded for the cause, by a slight margin. Could it be that many American's believe that marriage and the spiritual meaning of it are only sanctified between male and female. In schools and at political events we pledge to the flag one nation under GOD. In conclusion, it is unconstitutional to demand that a personal belief in God be left out in some ones political personal view.