PROP 8

Okay, so I think I put way too much thought into this today, but it was really bothering me. I watched several commercials for & against prop 8. Some were funny, others were repulsive. I think I got a good gist of what both camps are saying.

Pro 8: protect sanctity of marriage, dangerous for churches, dangerous for adoption agencies, possible gay-agenda taught as normal alternative in schools regardless of parent approval.

Anti 8: don't want to feel like second-class citizens, equal rights, more freedom is always good, voting no isn't dangerous for churches, adoption agencies, or education (yet).

Being a Christian it is natural to see the Pro 8 argument. I really tried to put my mind in some Anti 8 arguments and find any peace I could. Here is what I found: I really don't want homosexuals to feel like second-class citizens. We don't live in a Christian run nation, people are allowed to be gay. They should not be treated as lower. They should have hospital visits and tax-breaks etc.

Is there anything we can do for them to make them not feel like second-class citizens?

Their answer would be (in this case) "let us marry." (This is where I become uneasy in my soul). Why am I conflicted to let them marry?

I think I really want to say "okay, you can have the word marriage." Homosexuals calling their life-long commitments "marriage" does not make mine any less sacred. The word in itself is not sacred, and I'm willing to give it up. God created marriage, and I don't feel like I have to protect it, I think He can do a fine job. He will make sacred what He is in.

This is what I am not comfortable with.

(1) I do not want more children to grow up in same-sex marriage households. There are about 5-6 million kids right now in America with gay parents, and about 4% of all adoptions are by same-sex households. We have not seen the full affects of what this will do yet, but I think we have learned enough about developmental psychology to know how necessary it is for the health of a child to find healthy masculine and feminine models in the house. (Although studies are coming out recently saying there is nothing conclusive to prove this. I don't buy it.) Our jails are filled with fatherless children. It's a bit ridiculous to come to the conclusion that by merely multiplying the amount of parents in the house would generate better law-biding citizens. There is obviously something foundational for a child to have a mother as well as a father.

(2) Although voting no on 8 doesn't mean churches are in immediate danger, it will only be a matter of time. Law suits will come quickly, and they'll win.

(3) I don't want to encourage the legislative type of actions of our California judges. I feel like they overstepped their roles and I can't support that. It was inappropriate.

I feel like I want to vote no on prop 8 but I can't yet. There isn't enough protection put in place to secure churches and non-profit organizations. And the legalization needs to go through correct legal precedents. I would be happy for homosexual activist to bring this issue up again in the future in the correct legislative process with the articles to protect religious organizations. I think this conversation was good for me to think about, and hopefully the Christian community won't be afraid to have it again in the near future. Unfortunately I feel like I am forced to vote to amend the Californian constitution at this time. I kind of wish I didn't have to.

Quotes

These are helpful to me, in what I am learning right now. Thank you Larry Crabb.

"Strugglers feel noble, but sinners feel dirty."

"In the immediate aftermath of difficult times, we manage to mobilize our resources and cling to God as we press on. But I wonder if the stength to deal with tough times is sometimes supported by a quiet but strong hope that a good response from us will bring a quicker end to our trials and a return to better times: 'God, I've learned the lesson from these difficulties. See how maturely I'm handling them? It's okay now to make things easier for me.'"

"Desire much, pray for much, but demand nothing. To trust God means to demand nothing."

Jesus Wants to Save Christians

Just a few comments on Rob Bell's new book.

The first half of the book was very different from the second half. In the first half of the book Bell shows what a true Narrative Theologian he is. Because of that he makes Systematic Evangelicals a bit nervous and they don't know why. Everything he is saying is in the Bible but it's not systematic! it's something else, something strange, it must be wrong!

There is no better voice to respond to the new atheist than Bell. His rough overview of the whole Bible paints God in a way that would make the new atheist take several steps back on their antagonist approach to religion.

I wasn't thrilled with the second half of the book. I really wish it were more like his series at Mars Hill. Maybe I just don't remember the "Jesus wants to save Christians" series that well but the book seemed to take on a whole new face.

The book is wrapped up the same way most of Bell's books/tours/sermons are -- with a call and appeal to hope. I would read Henri Nouwen's "Life of the Beloved" for a more practiced and honest look at what Bell introduces the solution to be.

On another note I went on amazon's page to read the comments. (I like reading the negative ones.) None of the negative one's were insightful or had anything to add to the conversation. Hopefully as more people read it, there will be better dialogue to explain how I was feeling when I read the book.

Donald Miller Endorsement

Check out the link above. Donald Miller came out in support of Obama, and is even campaigning for him. One of his main reasons is because Obama has a plan to decrease abortions, where as McCain hasn't voiced how he would reduce abortions; he is just vocally pro-life. I read that Donald Miller interview, as well as a few responses to it. One of the respondents said something questioning Miller's logic to vote Obama based on his abortion policies. It went something like: "If Donald lived in the time of Abe Lincoln, he'd vote for the other guy because he had a plan to decrease the amount of slavery." I know that can be a ridiculous comparison, but is there any truth in it?
The facts: no one thinks abortions are wonderful. Some just think they are necessary. What is the best way to get rid of abortions? Is it to instate laws and education and support programs that would lessen the amount of abortions while keeping the choice available? Or is it to elect someone who given the chance would appoint enough supreme court judges to overturn Roe v. Wade (I'm not sure but I believe McCain is for overturning this).
This has really got me thinking. I know abortions would still happen illegally in some places and in back alley clinics. But how long did it take after slavery was illegal for the mind set to change and become demonized? Now, anyone who would even allude to slavery as okay would be seen as a villain. If abortions were outlawed it might take a long time, maybe 100 years, but could you imagine if the mindset of the whole country eventually recognized it as a terrible and disturbing act? Maybe it isn't an awful comparison to slavery after all, maybe I have just become soft for fear of being uncool.
What do you guys think? Any thoughts on this? I was trying to not be one of those voters who vote based off of one ticket item, but is this item big enough?