How many times do we have to say 'NO' to same-sex marriage?
California voters are once again fighting for the 'life of the family.' Same sex marriage is on their November ballot for the second time, bringing many people to ask: How many times do we have to say "No" to sodomy?
Californian families are, once again, on the highways and byways, promoting Proposition 8, an initiative to amend the State Constitution with a ban against same-sex marriage.
Why again? Because Californians approved by a 61% majority a similar ballot initiative called Proposition 22 in their 2000 primary election. On May 15, 2008, however, four out of seven justices of the Supreme Court of California overturned Proposition 22 ban against same-sex marriage, stating that marriage is a fundamental right for all and the ban was unconstitutional.
Conservative pro-family groups, seeing the proverbial writing on the wall, successfully began circulating signature petitions in an attempt to override the Court's decision. More than a million Californians signed on and Proposition 8 now appears on November's ballot. If approved by voters, it would add the following words to California's Constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
In one of the fiercest, most costly campaigns against same-sex marriage in the nation, supporters for the Proposition 8 initiative, called "Yes on 8," raised over $27 millions, with 20% of the money coming from out-of-state sympathizers.
The Los Angeles Archdiocese contributed $1 million towards the ban against gay marriage. The Proposition 8 initiative is the best way to prevent now or at anytime the vote of one out-of-control judge from redefining marriage as was also done in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The opposition to Proposition 8 comes mostly from liberal groupthinks such as Hollywood personalities, the ACLU, and Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered/Queer associations and philanthropists who have raised over $31 million, with 34% of the money coming from out-of-state opponents.
Catholic Priest, Father Geoffrey Farrow, is a gay man opposed to Proposition 8. When asked by a parishioner why he wouldn't speak out in favor of Proposition 8 to his congregation, he came 'out of the closet.' As a result, the Priest has been stripped of his job as pastor in Fresno, including his salary and health benefits. Farrow said he gave himself to a Church that has, condemned homosexuality and marginalized gays, even though, he said, a large percentage of priests are gay.
The California Teachers Association donated $1 million to the "No on 8" campaign. Other politicians have also donated money such as the 'Catholic' Hispanic Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, twice divorced, donated $25,000 personally. Mayor Villaraigosa, who attends Holy Mass about a dozen times a year, recently said:
"[My Catholic religion] is more about my spirituality and faith than adherence to rigid theological concepts....I am strongly, strongly pro-choice....Same-sex marriage is the law of the land in California. In my legal capacity as Mayor of Los Angeles, I have proudly officiated many same-sex weddings since the Supreme Court ruling in June confirmed the constitutionality of these unions.
These are loving, committed couples who want to get married for universal reasons: they love, care for, protect and take responsibility for each other.
I vow to vote No on Proposition 8 because I believe our civil society demands that we uphold Ñ not eliminate Ñ these fundamental rights."
Ellen Degenerate [DeGeneres], who recently married her long time girlfriend, Portia de Rossi, spoke out on the Tonight Show against Proposition 8. Additionally, celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Pete Wentz and TR Knight have all made contributions to the "No on 8" campaign.
Catholic Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who twice vetoed same-sex legislation in the past, now opposes Proposition 8 ban and supports the 2008 State Supreme Court decision overturning the State's previous ban against same-sex marriage.
Since 2003, the pro-homosexual, pro-abortion Catholic Governor has signed 20 anti-family bills into law. He recently was quoted as saying:
"I always said that you should not have your religion interfere with government policies or with the policies of the people. I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but that does not interfere with my decision-making.... I support a women's right to choose abortion.... Republican legislators shouldn't be upset that my chief of staff is a lesbian and lives openly with another woman.... The goal is to raise $300,000 for the 'Log Cabin' Republicans so they can transform the California Republican Party into the party that supports homosexual marriage.... I will always be there to fight Prop 8, I do not support it.... warm greetings to participants in the gay pride events, California is proud to host events that celebrate diversity and support active civic participation." Gov. Schwarzenegger.
The Catholic Church teaches that a Catholic politician's religious moral convictions cannot be confined to their personal lives. A politician's religious views are not his or her own private affair. In fact, the Church teaches that all Catholics, including public figures and politicians, must uphold basic human and universal truths, Church teachings on faith and morals, and God's natural laws. All Catholics, including those in the public square, have the duty to defend all attacks against human life from the moment of conception to the natural end of life. Catholic teaching holds that a Catholic must inform his conscience in accord with truth as revealed in Scripture and magisterial teachings. Willfully to dissent from a fundamental moral precept is an act of infidelity, objectively immoral and a scandal to the faithful.
The Catholic Church's Canon Law provides swift and clear recourse for Bishops to discipline any public politicians who promote or legislate abortion, sodomy, euthanasia, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, cloning, and other attacks against the right to life. In Canon 915 of Canon Law, if the Catholic person or politician does not convert his mind and heart to conform to moral Catholic teachings, the ministers of the Eucharist must refuse to give the politician Holy Communion: "Those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion" (canon 915). [1]
Add California's "Prop 8" to your election prayers.
Notes:
[1] Cases considered in this canon 915 also include: 1] any interdict or excommunication ferend sententi (one inflicted by the superior); 2] the same penalties lat sententi (inflicted by the perpetrator on himself...by his very act); 3] grave manifest sin, obstinately maintained, which could be the case of the estimated 500 Catholic pro-abortion politicians in the U.S.
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