I've been reading a lot of opinions about Prop 8 in California. And I really feel for all those who are in the tight situation of standing up for what they believe in despite possibly losing friends over it. This situation seems to be too sensitive for that result to be otherwise. I too have friends that have chosen an alternative lifestyle. I don't agree with what they do, but I still love them. A lot of people don't seem to think that can be true, but we can look at it from a different view. I don't believe in the consumption of alcoholic drinks, the use of smoking tobacco. I believe that stealing, murdering, being dishonest, etc. etc. are also not ok practices and yet I have friends that do some of these things too. Do I dislike the friend or not accept them NO, I just don't agree with some of the choices they make. Anyways, our Church leaders have encouraged us to post on our blogs whether we live in California or not about prop 8. Hoping to get the word out about why we feel Prop 8 should pass. I would like to borrow some info from a fellow blogger. She listed the reasons in a very easy to read format . . . . so here goes.

You don’t think Proposition 8 will affect you? Here are six ways LDS and non-LDS Christians will be affected if Proposition 8 does not pass:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relationship between any two adults. This will be very confusing for our children.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public.
The civil rights activists could fight to keep our church from doing temple marriages since same-sex couples could not be married in our temple or in our churches.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father.
Children deserve to be in a home with a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston have already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or the church will lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
Bishops, stake presidents, and other clergy of other faiths would be liable for hate speech if they taught their congregation that same-sex marriage or same-sex relations are sinful. This is taking away our freedom of religion!

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees

So it's not just about whether we believe in the idea of live and let live. This has far reaching effects. And more consquences than you would first think. If this prop does not pass in california, it will spread to other states faster and faster. It will be knocking on our front doors sooner than we could even guess. So pass the word along. Let the world know how we think marriage should be defined and preserve our rights to worship as we choose.