gay marriage

On November 4th, a small majority of voters elected Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Mr. Obama was definitely not my choice, and my reasons were many for opposing him. From his position on abortion, to gay marriage to the possibility of changing the makeup of the Supreme Court, his candidacy troubled me greatly, and now after the election I am even more troubled. So what should my response now be according to scripture? 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says..” I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (NIV) I will be obedient as a follower of Christ and pray for the President-elect and trust God for His divine guidance and protection for our nation. I will also pray that God by His Spirit, will change the heart and mind of Mr. Obama and that he will truly accept Christ as his Savior and follow the scriptures as he makes decisions as president.

The Art Director for the largest non-profit musical theatre company has quit after protests and boycotts resulting from the fact that he dared to give money to the "Yes on 8" campaign, which passed California's marriage amendment last week.

Scott Eckern stepped down from his job at the California Musical Theater in Sacramento after some gay and lesbian activists called for a theater boycott.

He said in a statement that he is leaving "after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theater going and creative community."

Eckern said he "chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved" but had no idea his contribution would generate such controversy. He said his sister is a lesbian in a domestic partnership, which he understands to carry the same legal rights as marriage.

The boycott calls led by artists including "Hairspray" composer Marc Shaiman began after activists learned Eckern contributed $1,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign. Last week, voters approved Proposition 8, which changes the constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

I am old school enough to remember the old saying..”Folk are so heavenly minded, they are no earthly Good.” That is where I believe today’s Church finds itself. Instead of being a influence on society, the Church has been busy assimilating into the society with little impact for the Kingdom. Never in my 50+ years have I seen such a desire to agree, tolerate and embrace things that God has declared wrong, sinful or even an abomination, and all in the hopes of making folk like us.

The Word declares that our association with God and His word will cause the believer to be marginalized and hated. "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24:10) And again in 1 Peter 2:7-8..” To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God's] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. (Amp. Bible) The majority will always be offended at the audacity of God to actually demand obedience to HIM, and even worse, by His people, flawed humans, declaring the truth of God’s word to them. I love the words of Peter as he defiantly declared..” We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

As mentioned previously, the folks supporting passage of the state marriage amendment in California, (proposition 8), which would define marriage as one man and one woman, have gained a good bit of momentum and support in the past several weeks...and their opposition has actually been helpful.

Well now we see some in the pro gay-marriage crowd are actually turning violent as they get desperate.  From OneNewsNow:

A Proposition 8 volunteer in California was recently assaulted, evidently because he supports the proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The victim, Jose Nunez, was preparing to place Prop. 8 lawn signs when the attack happened. Chip White, a spokesman for the "Yes on 8" campaign, explains what happened.
 
"The attacker grabbed about 75 signs, [then] yelled at Mr. Nunez [asking] 'what do you have against gays?' And Mr. Nunez replied that he had nothing against gays -- but he was attacked anyway." ...

Although social/cultural issues are getting little (if any) attention whatsoever in the current presidential election, the campaign to defend traditional marriage rolls on in California, Florida (likely to pass) and Arizona this year via proposed state constitutional amendments.

To date, such amendments have passed over 30 states with an average of about 70% of the vote, only failing in one state (in Arizona in 2006 by a few points, largely due to a poorly drafted amendment).

California is obviously the state that everyone's had their eyes on, for several reasons. First, because it's the biggest state in the country; second, it's home to the epicenter of the gay-culture universe, San Francisco...not to mention Hollywood and third, this is the first time such an amendment has sought to overturn the damage already done by a state court (having ruled gay marriage legal in that state by a one vote margin of its Supreme Court).

With the vote on the California state marriage amendment just three weeks away, it's nice of the proponents of gay marriage to give the voters of that state another stark reminder of just what they could be in for if gay marriage remains legal in that state. Via Protect Marriage:

SAN FRANCISCO, October 11 – In the same week that the No on 8 campaign launched an ad that labeled as “lies” claims that same-sex marriage would be taught in schools to young children, a first grade class took a school-sponsored trip to a gay wedding. Eighteen first graders traveled to San Francisco City Hall Friday for the wedding of their teacher and her lesbian partner, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The school sponsored the trip for the students, ages 5 and 6, taking them away from their studies for the same-sex wedding. According to the Yes on 8 campaign, the public school field trip demonstrates that the California Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage has real consequences. ...

There's a new poll out of Californai voters re: the vote on that state's marriage amendment next month, and the results are encouraging.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ― A new CBS 5 poll finds that California's Proposition 8 has picked up support in the wake of a television ad campaign that features footage of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaiming same-sex marriage is here to stay "whether you like it or not."

The poll conducted for CBS 5 by SurveyUSA indicates that support for the measure to ban gay marriage has grown among voters in the state over an eleven day period — most especially among young voters.

According to the poll, likely California voters overall now favor passage of Proposition 8 by a five-point margin, 47 percent to 42 percent. Ironically, a CBS 5 poll eleven days prior found a five-point margin in favor of the measure's opponents. ...