I keep writing posts and then finding articles that say what I wanted to say, but better

[owlmoose]

Props to SE for passing along the following story:

Mormon and Catholic organizations attack California gay marriage laws with lies

The separation of church and state also protects religious beliefs, including many practices that are considered discriminatory under civil law--such as only allowing males to be priests. If such practices were not protected, the Catholic and Mormon churches would have been forced to allow women to be priests long ago. Has this happened? No. Will churches be forced to perform gay marriages? No. It’s a lie. And that people are being persuaded by this lie is also unsettling.

Here’s the truth: the government cannot force any church to perform same-sex marriages, nor will churches lose their tax status if they refuse to do so. The churches who have funded this ad are lying.

Read the whole thing, then shout it from the rooftops. Truth is the best defense against lies; we just need to make sure the truth makes it out there in time.

Comments

[furitaurus.livejournal.com]

The truth is far too easily obscured and misinterpreted or even downrighed beaten to within an inch of its life and people would still be willing to listen to those that do this. I despair of people sometimes.

Also i thought the picture of christopher columbus with the caption 'I have nothing to do with this' was hilarious.

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

I guess it all comes down to people hearing what they want to hear. Some people are so entrenched in whatever lie they believe that giving it up would be literally impossible for them (kind of like what sepdet was saying about religious belief the other day). But I think there are enough people who just don't know enough, who can be convinced as long as they know what's true and what's not. So I do think it's worth trying to spread truth in this case, especially when the lie is so obvious and so clear cut.

I admit, sometimes it is easy to despair, but I'm not ready to give up on people yet. There is plenty of good still in the world, you just have to know where to look for it. If that sounds hokey, so be it. :) I really do believe it, though.

A

[taydrcaagan.livejournal.com]

"Lying for the Lord" is an entirely new concept for me. I note that it is considered to be a Mormon tenet but it seems to me that other, less reviled churches such as the RCC, have taken on its prime directive for themselves. I sometimes wonder what the gentle carpenter from Nazareth would think of the deceit and cruelty practiced in his name. What can the propagators of these vicious lies think of themselves when they are alone at night with their consciences? Surely, they realize that they are committing what they, themselves, would see as sins when they attack those who have done them no harm and have no wish to harm them. Along with Chris, I despair of people sometimes.

Re: A

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing that it's an "ends justify the means" sort of thing -- it doesn't matter if they have to lie, cheat and steal as long as they can convince themselves that the final outcome is "the Lord's work". But it's not a trade-off I can wrap my head around, personally; it doesn't fit into the moral code I was raised with, at all.

Thanks, and do not despair....

[marriagetogo.livejournal.com]

Hi Everyone:

I wrote the column cited above and I'm thrilled to see it cited here (also glad someone got the Christopher Columbus gag, thanks furitaurus!)

Though I also am frequently frustrated and disappointed with people, I would ask you to please not despair; we as a society have inched forward over the years--not without cost, mind you--but it is people like you who speak and live by compassion and truth that have made that progress possible. It can be difficult and worrisome to be an aware and awake citizen, but it heartens me to find people like you out there, and your beliefs and behavior count in this world just as much as those who aren't yet wise enough to value truth and social justice. Thanks for carrying the light, and rock on.

Best, Elizabeth Oakes, Wedding Examiner, Examiner.Com

PS If you're interested in more writing on religious vs. civil marriage and/or the California gay marriage revolution, I have touched upon that topic here: http://www.examiner.com/x-432-Wedding-Examiner~y2008m7d7-Californias-samesex-weddings-not-always-gay
Enjoy.

Re: Thanks, and do not despair....

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

Hi Elizabeth!

You're welcome, and thank you for writing the article! It's such a clear takedown of the lie; the more people who see it, the better.

Your point about not succumbing to despair is also well taken, both in terms of having faith in people, and in social change. I still believe that we will see marriage equality in our life time, even if Prop 8 does pass. We've come too far to slide all the way back now.

Thanks for coming by. :) (BTW, I don't know if you remember, but we met two years ago at SE's wedding reception.)