be firm

Elder Ballard has counseled members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to write about their beliefs on the internet, to share these beliefs with others. I think this is a great way to get correct information out there, so that when others look up the Church on a search engine they find more than just anti-Mormon websites. They have a better chance of finding the truth. I already have friends who do so, most admirably. Now it’s my turn.

Today I want to address a very crucial topic that seems to be coming to a head in our society. This is particularly difficult for me because some of my closest friends in high school felt strongly the opposite of what I believe on this issue. They were vocal members of the gay-straight alliance, etc., and some even claim(ed) to be bisexual. I also had friends who were homosexual, though we were not as close. I did my best to make it clear to them that, while I do not and cannot condone homosexuality, that they were still my friends and I cared for them. I believe they saw me as faithful and yet tolerant. But now I have to make a stand that, if they see this blog, could very likely damage our relationships for life. But it’s time to no longer be afraid of criticism.

So as most Californians know, the state supreme court recently declared the law, passed by the voice of the people, that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, unconstitutional. According to the state constitution. Here’s a quote from an article on CNN.com:

The California Supreme Court struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, “does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights.”

Okay, but this is not about “rights.” It is about “definition.” They call it a right to marry, when in fact they seek to change the definition of marriage.

And pro-gay activists have a load of weapons in their arsenal. They use loaded words to gain sympathy. First, as I said, they call it a “right.” Anyone who disagrees is a “bigot” or “old-fashioned.” And we’re not allowed to say things like “sin” because that’s bringing religion into the picture. They’ve duct-taped our mouths.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles words it much better than I do:

This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach. (see full article)

And so it is time for us to take a stand. And don’t let them derail you with arguments of the “fundamentality” of their feelings or of the specialness of their situation. Elder Wickman says the following in the same article:

Whether it is nature or nurture really begs the important question, and a preoccupation with nature or nurture can, it seems to me, lead someone astray from the principles that Elder Oaks has been describing here. Why somebody has a same-gender attraction… who can say? But what matters is the fact that we know we can control how we behave, and it is behavior which is important.

But maybe I’m derailing myself. My point is, marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Any twisting of that is wrong. Also, the family is the basic unit of society. As the First Presidency puts it in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”:

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

…

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

And a few weeks ago a letter from the First Presidency was read aloud in every LDS meetinghouse in California, urging us to give time and means to support the upcoming proposed amendment to the California constitution this fall that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. According to the CNN article, Governor Schwarzenegger said he would not support such an amendment, which means we have to make an especial effort. So this is my call to all out there (especially in California) who believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Even if you are not Mormon. The Supreme Court overruled a vote by the majority of the people, so now we have to go over the Supreme Court.

Vote yes on Proposition 8, the California Marriage Protection Act. More than that, become a part of the campaign effort. Even if it is as little as talking to your friends and sharing how you feel about the issue. Don’t be obnoxious or belligerent. But be firm.

And whatever you do, don’t give up. There is enough voting power out there to do the right thing. We just need to make an effort.

the hottest places in hell…

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a time of moral crisis, remain neutral.” –Dante

In political debates, I have often remained silent–or, at best, wishy-washy–when the majority of people around me disagree with my own beliefs. And then there are debates in which I don’t really know how I feel, because both sides have very convincing arguments. And I don’t want to cause a stir because I know I’ll lose any argument. When people ask what I think, I often answer that I’m not informed enough to have an opinion. One guy (we were talking about presidential candidates) responded “Everyone has an opinion.” I told him everyone has stupid opinions, and that I’m full of stupid opinions, but I wasn’t about to debate those with him.

But I would like to decide what I do believe. Whether I have a good argument for it or not. And besides, even if I do have a good argument, in this politically heated world people can do anything to discount what I say. For example, if I don’t condone gay marriage, then I’m a bigot. Loaded words like that shouldn’t change how I feel, as long as my feelings are right and moral and rational. So here are a few of my opinions, for the world to see:

I don’t believe in gay marriage. It is an attack on the family, which is the fundamental unit of society. If the family crumbles, society crumbles. And I don’t condone homosexuality, just the same as I don’t condone sex before marriage.

I am pro-life except for cases of rape, incest, and where it’s a danger to the mother.

I think global warming is real and I think the burning of fossil fuels is making it worse.

I like Barack Obama and I don’t like John McCain.

I have never liked George W. Bush.

I like socialized medicine.

I think pornography is evil and that it is as addictive and self-destructive as heroin.

I think McDonalds, Wal-Mart, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils (trans-fatty acids), and MSG are the spawn of Satan. If gay marriage and pornography don’t cause the downfall of society, these will.