I've wanted to say a few things for quite a while, but was unsure of how to do it without giving offense. after a lot of thought and prayer this is what i think i want to say. And now especially with the passing of prop 8 in CA, and similar passings in az and fl. I want to preface this by saying i in no way claim to understand what goes on in the minds of any person in love, i only know my own thoughts and feelings, and i know i am somewhat ignorant/unknowledgeable of some of the specifics of the proposition, but i DID look quite extensivley at it. I personally have known several people who are bisexual or homosexual. Some of them are VERY close friends AND family. I feel nothing but love and respect for them as people. I do disagree with their choices to act in that way, but that DOES NOT affect my love for them. I do not agree in taking away peoples' personal choices, but at the same time i would like to explain why i do not support such propositions. In Massachusetts (and now connecticut) gay marraige is legal. the effects of this is now taking away the choices of parents in how they want to teach and raise their children. I remember in elementary school we had to get a permission slip signed to go the facts of life classes, but one father was arrested after a long afternoon meeting with the school's teachers/principal for simply wanting to be notified of the diversification material being taught to his children. Now, call me crazy, but what about their right's to teach their own children???? And what about the preachers and pastors who are being accused of bigotry for teaching heterosexuality and denouncing homosexuality in church??? has anyone ever actually READ the bible? does soddom and gamora (i know spelling...) ring a bell. what the heck is church for if not to teach from the holy scriptures?
What about the freedom of speech there??? last i checked it was NOT conditional. I can't turn on the tv with out hearing obscenities in the programs, or turn on the radio and listen to news shows or music without it, and what about commentaries, or just over hearing a conversation at the mall with out being embarresed.
I know i am old fashioned but gee, silly me, i thought the good ole US of A was a place for the freedom of worshiping how we choose WITHOUT being discriminated. If people want to marry whom they choose, that's their choice and that's fine, but if it's going to take away my rights as a parent, or to exercise my rights as a citizen, then i'm sorry. we will have to go back to the drawing board to come up with another solution to appease both parties.
One of the reasons i am posting this now, is that there are several threats and accusations being thrown at the church i and my family are a apart of,and again, i say this with a lot of apprehention, but I feel that people need to take another look at this. "Mormons" as we have been nicknamed, are NOT hateful towards gay people. in fact there are numerous amounts of people in the church who are gay, and EVEN attend the temple. They are able to do this because even though they have these feelings, they do NOT act on them. It is self control. The same for alcholics. I'd venture to say that there are Lots of alcoholics in the church as well, who also attend the temple, and are worthy to do so because they choose NOT to act on their desires which are contrary to the teachings of the scriptures and the gospel. We love all people (though i could name a few that I personally am not too fond off;)( just a little light humor there), regardless of their orientation, color, job, whatever... Our Heavenly Father is just like any other kind and loving parent you know. He loves us no matter what we do, but may be dissapointed in the choices we make.
Again, I am not looking for an arguement, i just wanted a chance to explain a few things and voice my opinion. Please don't leave mean comments, but I DO encourage people to leave thoughts, maybe questions that others may be able to answer.
