On California's Proposition 8

With the approval of gay marriages in California earlier this year and the election of Barrack Obama as President of the United States, I thought that the majority's view of the discriminated already changed a big deal. Now, with the approval of Proposition 8, I'm thinking twice.

California's Proposition 8 title was "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry" which states that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." This proposition will amend the previous decision of the Supreme Court that allowed gay marriages. I can remember that there was so much rejoicing then but not now when 52.2% of those who said Yes on Prop 8 won against the 47.8% who said No.

Among the proponents of the Yes on Prop 8 were Republican presidential nominee and U.S Senator John McCain, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the Roman Catholic Church (of course),The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church (author of The Purpose Driven Life). These influential personalities and institutions greatly affected the vote for 8 and personally, I think that institutions are just so hard to break (at least the decision proved it). Meanwhile, U.S president elect Barrack Obama, his VP Joseph Biden, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, The U.S House Speaker, a good number from the senate and jewish groups were among those who supported Proposition 8.

Indeed, it was disappointing news especially that aside from the prominent figures and institutions that supported Prop 8, 70% of the African-American vote said Yes on 8. It is quite ironic on how the African-Americans know how to be oppressed yet deny that freedom to be recognized under law to homosexuals. Not to be too bitter, but a huge deal of homosexuals also helped get Obama, the hope of African-Americans, to his position. Yet, no help from them. It's no surprise that the minority will be on the same spot as they are when they themselves do not help each other.

In addition, I sense that the Church is quite afraid to change and reconsider traditions. I can say that the Church is the most traditional (and could be quite literal no matter how figurative and literary the Bible could be) institution. True, battle with the Holy Book is long and exhausting; sometimes pointless... whoever won with a battle with God?

I thought the first commandment is, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Now, which of these was broken by homosexuality. It's just that Christianity has all these fuss on rules and laws yet when you begin to think about it, all those laws should only fall on those two major points and that's it. Did you ever wonder why eating pork is okay these days and I reckon, it's because it just doesn't fit the commandments.

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