Prop. 8 debate
Most of the propositions this year will be overshadowed by Prop. 8, the initiative that would put a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, if passed. It has been hard this week to get a spokesperson from either side of the debate to return calls because they've been so busy. A spokeswoman from Yes on 8 told me, "We're running this like a White House campaign."
When it comes to raising money, the Yes side was ahead during the period of January to September with $25.5 million. The No side trailed by about $10 million. Since then, celebrities and other No supporters have stepped up to match funds and the California Teachers Association put in their own $1 million.
Pockets of the Inland Valley, like the Chino Valley, are Yes strongholds. The Chino Valley Unified School District has approved a resolution supporting the proposition and Calvary Chapel has given at least $2,000 to Yes on 8. That means plenty of Yes placards for parishioners to display.
Not all churches think alike, of course. The article in today's paper highlighting the views of one Loma Linda Adventist follows.
By Wendy Leung
Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would amend the state Constitution to prohibit gays and lesbians from marrying, has become one of the most divisive measures in recent years, and the Inland Valley is one battleground where both camps are staged.
With just two weeks before the election, Proposition 8 proponents and opponents have heartily stepped up the fight. On Saturday, both sides held rallies throughout Rancho Cucamonga and
have plans to hold more before Nov. 4.
Signs supporting the proposition were recently stolen from St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Chino Hills and were vandalized at the Solid Ground Church of Brethren & Christ in Rancho Cucamonga.
Senior Pastor Ron Graff of the Rancho Cucamonga church said after attending a pro-Proposition 8 meeting at an Ontario restaurant, he discovered a "No on Prop. 8" label placed on his vehicle.
Among the most outspoken leaders on the issue are church and school officials.
Last month, the Chino Valley Unified School District board passed a resolution backing Proposition 8. Leading the way is board President Michael Calta, who insists that the resolution is not pointing a finger at any group.
"This was never ever directed against children of any background," Calta said. "It's simply a statement that the ideal of marriage should be between a man and a woman.
"Most people voting for it aren't voting against gays in their hearts. We just believe that (traditional marriage) has generated a tremendous benefit for thousands of years in our society. Now we have
to sustain it."
Calta, like many others who back the initiative, believes that schools would begin teaching students about same-sex marriage if the proposition fails. The fear partly stems from a ruling by a Massachusetts federal appeals court earlier this year that an elementary school can use children's books supporting gay rights without parental consent.
Backers of Proposition 8 also fear that churches will be obliged to recognize same-sex ceremonies and could stand to lose their tax-exempt status.
No one can look into the future of what will happen should Proposition 8 fails but Julius Nam, who teaches theology at Loma Linda University, is doubtful that churches will be forced to do something they doesn't believe in.
"Churches have such a wide latitude in discrimination. Many churches do not ordain women, for instance, and yet they are shielded from discrimination suits," said Nam, a Loma Linda resident who is part of a group known as Adventists Against Prop. 8.
To understand just how controversial Proposition 8 is, look no further than the Adventist community. The church opposes same-sex unions but has not officially encouraged its members to vote yes on
the issue. However, a local body of the church dealing with advocacy issues is urging a yes vote.
That's where Nam and other like-minded Adventists come in. They formed a no on Proposition 8 group which in turn led to the Adventists for Prop. 8 group.
For Nam, the issue is important because he strongly believes in the separation of church and state and doesn't want the state Constitution to be amended on a religious belief that marriage is
defined as a union for a man and a woman.
"It's also a question of justice," Nam said. "As a resident of California, we should lead the way in pushing for equality."
Nam sees homosexuality as a trait that a person is born with and therefore shouldn't be discriminated against.
"We live in a world that's not perfect. There's so much brokenness," Nam said. "I, as a heterosexual, am broken in my own way and yet, in spite of that, I see joy in my relationship with my wife. Homosexuals in their own brokenness, shall be given the same benefits and privileges of entering into a relationship without being judged."
The heart was created empty. It was created with a hole in it. That is why most people wake up in the morning and wonder if there is going to be something special for me today. They wonder if something will be out of the ordinary happening to them. Some people try to find out the purpose of life. Yeah I can get married, then what? Yeah I can get a family and a nice career, then they wonder "then what?" People will try and fill their hearts with friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, moms and dads love, if that does not fill them up, then they will try drugs and alcohol, if that does not work then they will turn to music or fame or money or cars or a career. People will try anything to find out the purpose of life; they try and fill their hearts with anything they find reasonable. But have you notice that people will not try Christ, Jesus Christ that is? People will not try God to fill their hearts up. What god is actually the person that created our hearts. Have you tried Jesus Today?
No or Yes on Prop 8????? First of all, I am getting tired of all “sky is falling theatrics” on both sides of the fence and I’m sure others are too. Let’s just think about what would be best for all Californians. Both sides of this issue seem to have good points over permitting same-sex marriage. One side states that “it would damage the institution of marriage,” the other side reminds us that “interracial marriage was also once illegal.” How is a 67 year old, white, Christian, Republican (never voted for a Democrat in my life), father, grandfather, who has been married for almost 50 years to vote? Before making up my mind on this issue I decided to do some research on the matter and view the question, while looking at the state constitution.
The California Supreme Court has already spoken on this issue. In May, the state's highest court ruled that the law defining marriage as between one man and one woman passed in 2000 by Prop. 22, was unconstitutional, a violation of the equal protection clause.
California has domestic partnership laws that encompass many of the basic legal privileges and responsibilities that married couples take for granted. But barring same-sex couples from legal marriage relegates them to "separate but equal" status. The term sounded strangely familiar to me. It's the same oppressive language we once imposed on racial minorities in this country.
Regardless of how I feel about same sex marriage, the bottom line is the California Constitution and ultimately the U.S. Constitution. Both guarantee ALL people equal protection and equal rights under the law. We must not support any constitutional amendment that would serve to take away fundamental rights. For me, it's as simple as that.
We Christians need to move beyond the divisiveness that Prop. 8 has created and embrace Californians who are different than us. There are so many more pressing issues. Live and let live. Vote NO vote on Prop. 8.
Duane Dyar
Upland
The Founding Fathers created a separation of Church and State fundamentally because they wanted people to have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Many of the earliest colonials, such as the Quakers of William Penn, left England because of religious persecution.
Now here we are today, trying to tell people who you should and shouldn't be with, with hypocritical righteous indignation!
Whom you choose to marry isn't anyone else's business but of those who choose to enter it.
If you want to protect the sanctity of marriage, outlaw divorce instead, and make people think long and hard about marrying someone for the rest of their lives. Just because a couple is gay doesn't make them a threat to marriage and family. It's the other people who get married for all the wrong reasons that make marriage a less than a lifetime institution.
I am amazed at the hatred and discrimination I see on street corners in the afternoon. Yes on 8 signs in Rancho Cucamonga - who could believe such a modern looking, progressive seeming community would be so awful and backwards?? I am a teacher and a lesbian in RC and I have many other gay teacher and professional friends who live here. We are embarrassed by what we see. We pay taxes, own homes, spend money, raise and educate children, and follow laws. Why should we be discriminated against? If this prop passes, then anything/one could be next on the constitutional chopping block. My marriage couldn't possibly affect anyone else's life! Your marriage doesn't affect mine. If people want to "protect marriage" they should work towards preventing divorce, abandonment and abuse. Additionally, I have never taught "marriage" in my classroom. People who are gay will not disappear and discriminating against them only teaches children to hate groups of people they do not agree with and to act against them. RC should support it's gay, peaceful, tax paying, citizens in love.