Proposition 8 affects me

With the California Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop 8 the debate has been renewed.  There are many arguments that have been made and will be made again.  Many of these arguments are flawed.  Some valid arguments are overlooked or ignored.  Either side knows they are right.  I have never seen a more divisive issue in my life.  As such i will attempt to remain neutral in this debate (or stick to arguing the underrepresented side) as i can argue either side of this issue.

There is more to this argument than religion vs rights.  First i argue against marriage as a right.  Marriage is treated as and should be treated as a privilege.  I feel it needs not be a right for anyone. This would eliminate most of the debate.  Government supporting a law for or against same sex marriage are telling someone their church is wrong.  There are churches on both sides of the debate so someone is "wrong".

Next is the financial impact.  Being for or against this issue has financial impact on your business.  Business on both sides of the arguments have had individuals stop doing business with them based on this issue.  Some business owners are more concerned with their higher costs of benefits for a same-sex family that they do not currently provide. 

More legally required benefits means more costs to businesses.  This might mean lower wages for all including those who do not support same sex marriage.  It could also translate into higher costs for products and services.  Based on supply-demand economics, everyone will pay more for these government protections.  Avoiding this company or that does not solve this.  You have to avoid an entire product or service to avoid the support of the supply-demand equation.

As for Nature vs Nurture.  Individuals might be born with sexual tendencies but science has yet to show a lack of choice in this debate.  People are also born with tendencies toward alcoholism or violence.  This part of the debate comes out as “this is a choice” vs “born this way”.  You can argue either side of this debate all you want.  Science can not prove choice nor can it eliminate choice.  If choice is involved then this is not a right.  If choice is not involved then this is not a right.

This is not a debate i can avoid.  Every time i point out the flaws in a same sex marriage argument i get accused of being a bigot.  If i point out the flaws in the traditional marriage argument i get accused of being immoral.  The problem with the debate is it is the wrong debate to have.  The California Supreme Court did what they should have done in upholding this measure.  But it is still the wrong argument so it does not matter.

This being a “faith” blog i will also point out the argument of immorality vs God loves everyone.  This argument is often skewed to the side of the one making it as well.  God loves you no matter the side of the argument you are on.  Based on the teachings of Jesus and Buddha you are to love the sinner and not the sin.  Too many people forget this as they condemn homosexuals not homosexuality. To many people forget this as they condemn the homosexual haters and not hate.

If you care about what side of prop 8 i am on – you are still having the wrong argument.

Happy Easter

On this Easter Day i am very thankful that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. On Good Friday he was tried and sentenced for who he was. He bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane. He died on the cross at Golgotha. He suffered and died for me. On Easter Morning he rose form the dead. He did this all for me. He paid for all my sins, transgressions, pains, sorrows, sickness. He did this because of His boundless love for me. So that i can return to God one day. So that i can be resurrected one day. So that i may be comforted in my anguish. He did this for me. He did this for everyone that will repent and come unto Him.

General Conference

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints i have the opportunity to attend General Conference. In the LDS faith we believe that God has called prophets as in olden days. General Conference is a worldwide meeting held the first weekend of April and October every year. At these meetings each prophet speaks and councils those who will listen. There are sessions Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon. There is also a Priesthood session on Saturday evening. Each session has different speakers and topics covered. After the conference is over the talks are made available in as many different formats as possible including audio & video podcasts, DVDs, audio CD, and print in magazines and online.

I enjoy hearing these uplifting messages designed to draw one closer to God. While in college i knew people that would attend these meetings even being of a different faith. Each had his own reasons for attending. All felt they were a better person by listening, learning, and doing what was taught. In these talks there is always council to obey God's laws, pray, treat others better, give service, every so often there is council to get and stay out of debt, etc. These meetings (except Priesthood) are open to all. If you want to attend one and decide for yourself if it can build your faith go to LDS.org to watch or listen online or stop by any LDS church. You may even be able to watch it on TV depending on the broadcast channels you receive. Meetings are at 9am and 1pm Pacific time on both Saturday and Sunday.

An Introduction

Faith is hard work. Having spent many years trying to grow my faith i have learned this. Having faith is hard. The world tries to pull you every which way. Growing one's faith is even harder. There are plenty of faith promoting things and events out there in any number of religions. There are plenty of faith promoting things and events out side of religion.

To start i'll begin with trying to establish some common ground. I believe in a Supreme Being that was instrumental in the creation of all things. From here on out i'll call this being God. I believe truth wherever it is found can promote faith. I have had lyrics in a song confirm a religious truth.

Now a little more about me. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe this to be a restoration of the church Jesus Christ set up while on the Earth. I do not plan to try and convert anybody through this blog. The Bible many times over says ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. The Book of Mormon ends with a promise of the same. If you want to know more go to Mormon.org. I'll answer questions you ask and questions i've had. This blog is here to grow faith regardless of one's religion.