Concerning Proposition 8

Opponents of Prop 8 are and will continue to protest the results of the state-wide decision made last week. Seeing pictures on TV of them picketing outside churches and temples, or (lets be honest) anywhere a camera will find them, sends mixed feeling within me.

I am trying to pinpoint those feelings...
First, I am annoyed. My selfishness wants to say, "Get over it, you lost. Life isn't fair. The majority of California opposes your scheme. I didn't get enough votes to win homecoming king, it happens." Having gotten that off my chest and actually seeing the words I think embarrasses me - not only because I remember not winning homecoming king in college, but because it reveals my deep, dark sinfulness.

Next, I am relieved. "We dodged a bullet," I think to myself. I can breathe a little easier (figuratively) since Nov 7th (allergies have had the opposite effect). All of those yard signs that were stolen were worth replacing. I am relieved; yet the truth is while we, the prop 8 'winners', sit back and revel in our victory, the prop 8 'losers' are gaining strength to fight on.

Watching the protesters on the news yesterday brought about a new feeling in me, however. After being relieved with the results then annoyed at the response, I actually felt sympathetic - a rare emotion on my part, and even more so when it comes to this issue. Not only were hopes crushed, but prop 8 opposers also feel segregated and unloved by at least 52.3% of our state (numerically thats 5,668,960 people). My desire for peace conflicts with my beliefs.

Instead of feeling victorious, I now realize that the future is daunting; not only as one who calls himself a Christian, but also as one who wishes to serve as a minister in California. One unfortunate result of prop 8 is the wedge driven further between the Church and homosexuals. From the entity all people should feel welcomed and loved by, many feel hated. That 52.3% might as well be called First Baptist Church as far as the homosexual community is concerned.


My response:
I will battle my feelings of victory. How can I call it a victory when more people than ever hate my Church and beliefs? Even straight prop 8 supporters have a bad taste of Christianity in their mouth.

I will not be ashamed of the Bible, and I will do my best to obey all of it. That includes (I believe) voting yes on prop 8 AND loving my neighbors just like I love myself.

I will not let my desire for peace outweigh my Biblical convictions. Although, it may serve me (and the Church) well to add some weight to the Peace side of the scale without removing any weight of Biblical conviction.

I will come to solid conclusions about issues using Scripture, prayer, and wise advice to prepare myself for my future in ministry.

I will try to respond with Christ-likeness.