Proposition 102

For those of you who don't live in Arizona, Proposition 102 is a proposition to amend the Arizona state constitution to clearly define the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. I have been thinking for a while about writing this post, and yet I haven't, more for fear of what other people would say (mainly people who might oppose my opinion and may relay their opinion disrespectfully). I shouldn't, since we are all allowed to have our own opinions and feelings, but nonetheless, it makes me nervous. However, this is something that I feel strongly about, and decided that I would share it with you. When something is important to me, I often have a hard time expressing my feelings, so hopefully I am able to get my feelings out there.

I believe that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God. I believe that the family is the most important unit in society, and that a family with a father and mother at the head of it should be what we envision when we think of the family. It is the best place to raise children, and help them to learn and grow and be the best that they can in the future. The family gives back to society this way, by producing law-abiding citizens.

A friend of mine wrote a post on her blog about Proposition 102. Below, I quote some of what she shared, and the impact that this could have on us if it is not passed (she has done some great research, and I felt it was justly shared in her words):

If this proposition does not pass and same-sex marriage is legalized, then we face the reality of same-sex marraige being declared a civil right. This would protect those in a same-sex marriage under the same discrimination laws as those defined by race, age, religious preference, etc. Here are some examples of what this could mean:

• Churches could lose their tax exemptions and benefits if they do not embrace same sex unions. All donations would then be taxable.
• Schools could be required to teach both heterosexual and homosexual relations as morally neutral and further erode our ability to teach our children traditional standards of marriage. No parental permission would be required (this has already happened in other states).
• Church adoption agencies could be forced to allow adoptions to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. This happened to the Catholic adoption agency in Boston and, as a result, rather than be forced to allow adoption to homosexual couples, Catholic Charities stopped offering adoption services in that city.
• Married housing for same sex couples could be required at universities, including religious schools and universities.

Many people feel like passing this proposition would be discriminating against a minority culture and stripping them of their rights. In reality, if this proposition isn't passed, we risk being discriminated against as a group of those who regard this moral issue as sacred and we would risk being stripped of our religious freedoms. The LDS church's article on this subject states that we would support initiatives for the rights of specific groups "so long as they do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference". The failure of this proposition infringes on these rights and degrades the status of the traditional family as the fundamental unit of society. (Thanks Jeni for letting me use some of your post and links to articles!)

This article here is written by the leaders of the LDS Chruch regarding marriage and its importance in our lives. Also included are challenges to marriage, and the affects of same-sex marriage in our lives.

Here is where you can go to view the proposition in full with For and Against statements.

Please get the word out to those who are voting in Arizona (and California and Florida too!) of what this proposition is and the effects that it can have on us, and other states, in the future.

I respect the rights of others to have their own opinions, and live their lives the way they feel is best suited for them, and I hope that my views and opinons are respected as well.