Proposition Hate - In the Final Analysis

Proposition 8 proponents are struggling to find a coherent -- if not compelling -- argument in support of their position. The reason for a lack of rationale is best summarized by Joel Belz, Publisher of the evangelical magazine, World.

We may not like to admit it, but when you leave God’s design out of the argument, there’s really no reason any longer to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

Belz is correct and this leaves Prop 8 proponents with a sticky little problem; They need to come up with something other than "the Bible tells me so" if they are to be persuasive. Their advertisements dishonestly claim that same-sex marriage will be taught in schools (it won't and parents can opt-out of any sex education in California). Of course, that also blows the "indoctrination" dog whistle. Rick Warren bases his flawed arguments on 5,000 years of history and the fact that gays represent a small minority of the population while falsely implying that he has the agreement of both McCain and Obama -- Obama has clearly stated that he opposes Prop 8.

Just today, Star Parker weighed in with:

... there is little doubt that children graduating from California's public schools will see homosexuality and homosexual marriage as normal and legitimate as proverbial American apple pie.

Parker is neither erudite nor logical. However, she voices her real opposition which is, by definition, homophobia.

I would assert to Parker and others that sexual orientation is perfectly "normal." Therefore it follows that same-sex marriage is perfectly legitimate as "proverbial American apple pie." More importantly tolerance, diversity and freedom are the values that are really associated with that American apple pie while repression and oppression of minorities are antithetical to the culture of the country that I thought we lived in. In addition, we Americans respect the establishment clause of our constitution which provides from separation of church and state. Was Parker absent those days in civics classes?

I would also wonder if Ms. Parker or Reverend Rick believe that sexual orientation is contagious. Suppose those school children did learn to respect gay couples? Exactly why -- as Janet Folger Porter has suggested -- does that point to "end of world?"

On the issue of children, I have another question for those who need little or no encouragement to disparage gay people. What responsibility do they accept for the damage that they are doing to the self-esteem of gay kids? What about the harm that you do to your neighbor's gay kid?

Rhetorically, I will answer that question. None. No responsibility for the hurt caused by their hatred. After all, these are the same people who oppose every anti-bullying bill. Their hatred is so strong that gay school children cannot even be safe -- let alone proud of who they are.

So, we are approaching the finish line: