Update: An official movement is underway to get this issue on the California ballot in 2010. Click here for more info on the2010 California Marriage Protection Act .
I'm overall happy with the results of the election. I, for one, was convinced Obama was presidential from the time I heard him speak at the Democratic convention a few years back.
But this whole proposition 8, banning gay marriage thing is just puzzling. Their tag line is Protect Marriage. But from what? Proponents claim "It protects children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage...", but it doesn't shield anyone from the fact that gays are fellow citizens and live their lives in the same ways that straights do. Even if gays can't legally marry, they can still love, and live together, and yes even have & raise children.
So it appears there is a majority of people in California in favor of "protecting marriage". Great, then let's do it right. I propose we put another proposition on the next ballot that outlaws divorce. Divorce only serves to weaken the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is meaningless if you can enter and leave it on a whim as you would a boutique at the mall.
I haven't thought too much about the specific language of the bill yet, but here's a first draft. Please help me refine it in the comments.
I'm overall happy with the results of the election. I, for one, was convinced Obama was presidential from the time I heard him speak at the Democratic convention a few years back.
But this whole proposition 8, banning gay marriage thing is just puzzling. Their tag line is Protect Marriage. But from what? Proponents claim "It protects children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage...", but it doesn't shield anyone from the fact that gays are fellow citizens and live their lives in the same ways that straights do. Even if gays can't legally marry, they can still love, and live together, and yes even have & raise children.
So it appears there is a majority of people in California in favor of "protecting marriage". Great, then let's do it right. I propose we put another proposition on the next ballot that outlaws divorce. Divorce only serves to weaken the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is meaningless if you can enter and leave it on a whim as you would a boutique at the mall.
I haven't thought too much about the specific language of the bill yet, but here's a first draft. Please help me refine it in the comments.
- People may only marry once. Once married you may not divorce. Once married, you may not marry again.
- Divorces granted in other states will not be recognized.
- The courts will not get involved with "custody" for married couples who choose to live apart for whatever reason. It is up to them to figure things out.
- If you are married and have kids (minors), you are responsible for them until they reach adulthood, no matter where you live and what your financial situation. You will be held accountable, including being convicted of child neglect.
- The same goes for your spouse. By entering into marriage, you are legally bound to them to support them for the rest of your life. And you will be held accountable to this.
Absolutely!
Adults who vow before God and Man "til death do us part" should be held to their word.
And I'm firmly convinced that if we ban divorce, demand for same-sex marriage will disappear instantly. It takes a serious person to take marriage seriously.
Lets do it!
Marty
You should play up the "Protect Children" angle more!
The Bible does not outlaw divorce. Although God detests divorce (Malachi 2:16), he recognizes that as a potential result of the union of two sinners. Jesus also recognizes divorce as acceptable in the case of unfaithfullness (Matthew 19:9), though you shouldn't remarry anyone who has also been unfaithful.
Having said that, I am all for your Proposition, though it should be made retroactive and automatically annul all marriages after the first one. And the parents of all children born outside the first marriage should be recognized as the mother and her first husband (unless this was not her first husband's first marriage, in which case the child should be recognized as fatherless)
Hey Dave - One important correction - you said:
I agree that it It protects children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage...",
According to the California Teachers Association -
http://www.cta.org/issues/current/campaign/No_on_Prop_8.htm
Proposition 8 will not affect teaching in our schools. That’s a lie crafted to scare people into voting for Proposition 8 and stripping Californians of rights they already have. Not one word in Prop. 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are purposely trying to deceive the public. A California Superior Court Judge has already ruled that this claim by Prop. 8 proponents is “false and misleading.”
Stacey, I'm taking the language directly from their site:
http://www.protectmarriage.com/about/why
I've no doubt it's filled with misleading statements and lies.
Les McFall has an interesting way to deal with the exception clause in Matthew 19:9. He has written a 43 page paper that reviews the changes in the Greek made by Erasmus that effect the way Matthew 19:9 has been translated. I reviewed McFall's paper at Except For Fornication Clause of Matthew 19:9. I would love to hear some feedback on this position.
Perhaps you should also consider a proposition that the government should not recognize any marriage. The marriage union is one between the two parties and their diety...There is no need for any kind of government interference in that relationship. Just as homosexuals can marry in a church, provided they can find a man of the cloth that will perform the ceremony, and it is still a holy union, even unrecognized by the USA. Let heterosexuals go back to this deeper meaning of marriage as well and let's get the government completely out of marriage altogether.
I am in disbelief that all the people that voted yes on Prop 8, are the equivalent to KKK members, the black panthers and any other street gang that is driven by anger and hatred. I am a straight female and what this prop has showed me is what religion to not get involved with.
I now have left the church I was a member since I was a baby, because of their involvement and using member’s funds to support this prop without asking anyone’s permission.
Here is the link for the LDS that will show you how much money was donated and by what family and business. If you feel the same as me and many others- do not give money to these people of organizations.