Posted by
RepublicanEvangelist on Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:03:47 PM
and the fallout. For the record, I voted for Prop 8 but think the courts and activists for same sex marriage have not helped their cause and have probably helped fuel the anti-same sex marriage side. Ironically, Barack Obama helped get Prop. 8 passed. Over 70% of blacks in California voted for the measure. Many blacks in California and the country as a whole were voting for the first time enthused by the prospect of the first black President. Many blacks are devout Christians who feel, as it is stated in the Bible, that homosexuality is an abomination to God. Many also resent the parallel being drawn between their struggle with civil rights and equality. Say what you will but homosexuals are not struggling economically. They tend to be more educated and when you combine that with the lack of children generally, they are more affluent than their hetero counterparts. Children bring riches beyond measure but not in the pocket book. My daughter wants to look in my wallet and I reply, "nothing has been in there since you and your brother were born."
The problem is, as I see it, that ultimately the two positions are not reconcilable because they are mutually exclusive. I see a parallel with the Palestinians and the Jews. There will NEVER be peace between the two because they both want the same piece of land, the land that is Israel today. The Palestinians could have today a working state in the West Bank and Gaza. They don't want it. They see their land extending to the Mediterranean. Similarly civil unions will never be acceptable as an alternative for activist gays because it is something different from marriage even if by name only. In California today people can have all the rights of marriage except to call it marriage under civil unions. They want marriage. I don't believe they want marriage to get married. They want it because it would mean societal acceptance of them and homosexuality. Much like I think many blacks wanted any black President more than they wanted Barack because it would mean the society as a whole has accepted them. Society already has. If entertainment and sports are any guide, the most popular members of our society are black. I thought it funny that someone with the money and ultimate power of Oprah Winfrey needed Barack's win. She needed a black President.
I am neither black nor gay so perhaps my perspective would be different if I were members of these groups. The courts are not the solution however. Just as court ordered affirmative action didn't help move along black acceptance. Court ordered gay marriage will not force society accept gays either. To the contrary, societal change happens better slowly and incrementally. Like Roe vs Wade fired up the religious right, a group that always stayed clear of political action, court decisions regarding gay marriage will only and fuel to the fire of those against and will not help their cause either.