fulfilling the caricature of Mormons as rock-ribbed Republicans
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On the heels of tonight’s broadcast encouraging California Members to support Proposition 8, the Church launches a new website: PreservingMarriage.org.
[via Messenger and Advocate]
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) was on satellite radio last week applauding California’s gay marriage decision. While bemoaning how “born-again Christians and their right wing loonies” were going to make a democratic ballot inititiave “nasty” he turned his attention to Mormons.
I wonder what they’re going to do with the Mormons. I’d like to put polygamy up if they want to fight this battle. Let’s go into Utah and have it out. I mean, I don’t have any quarrel with polygamy, as long as they leave little kids alone, which is child abuse.
But if you want to have three husbands, be my guest. I think that to me, that’s your decision.
I think it’s kind of humorous you’re going to find the Mormons leading the fight against gay marriage, which is an interesting commentary on what you believe.
It would help to avoid getting nasty if he got his facts straight.
LDS Church statement on California gay marriage decision:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes that same sex marriage can be an emotional and divisive issue. However, the church teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is the basic unit of society. Today’s California Supreme Court decision is unfortunate.
Eugene Volokh (who approves of same-sex marriage recognition) looks at how today’s and other decisions prove the slippery slope argument can be valid.
[I]t seems to me that decisions such as the California, Massachusetts, and Vermont ones illustrate that it’s a mistake to just factually dismiss the claims that slippage is possible. When we’re dealing with a legal system that’s built on analogy and precedent (both binding precedent and persuasive precedent), slippery slope risks have to be taken seriously.
Same-sex marriage is coming to California.
In a 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court opinion finds [PDF]
limiting the designation of marriage to a union “between a man and a woman” is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
The LDS Church took part in arguments in hopes of preventing this kind of decision.
So goes the rest of the country? It will be interesting to see how this affects the presidential campaign. While all remaining candidates officially oppose same-sex marriage, the introduction of a potentially damaging wedge issue can’t help Democrats.
On the other hand, Sen. McCain opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment and has not been eager to engage the issue. While McCain may be lukewarm, already flailing Republicans are at risk of overeaching while voters are more concerned about the war and economy.
It is expected that there will be a November ballot initiative (again) to amend the state constition and overule today’s decision.
UPDATE: Gov. Schwarzenegger approves of the ruling:
“I respect the court’s decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling,” Schwarzenegger said within minutes of the ruling. “Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”
Candidates On Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage:
- Hillary Clinton: Does not directly support same-sex marriage, but voted against a constitutional ban on them. Supports civil unions.
- Barack Obama: Does not directly support same-sex marriage, but also voted against a constitutional ban on them. Supports civil unions.
- John McCain: Opposes same-sex marriage, but has a mixed record on whether it should be allowed by individual states; like Clinton and Obama, voted against a constitutional ban. Does not overtly support civil unions, but would not stop states from allowing them.
- Mitt Romney: Opposes both same-sex marriages and supports a constitutional ban on them. Also opposes civil unions.
- Mike Huckabee: Like Romney, opposes same-sex marriages and supports a constitutional amendment to ban them. Also opposes civil unions.
- Ron Paul: Has a mixed record on same-sex marriages and civil unions, but because of his libertarian background, he’s considered the most liberal of the Republicans on gay rights issues. Opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.
Thanks, IMAPP
Sen. Gordon Smith reintroduces Domestic Partner Benefits Bill for Federal Employees he is co-sponsoring w/ Senator Lieberman:
Under the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007, a federal employee and same-sex domestic partner would be eligible to participate in federal health benefits, the Family and Medical Leave program, long term care, insurance, and retirement benefits. Such employees and their domestic partners would also assume the same obligations that apply to married employees and their spouses, such as anti-nepotism rules and financial disclosure requirements.
LDS and Mormon Blogs
