Those 'Six Consequences' to Expect if CA's Prop-8 Fails to Pass

I keep seeing this screed in the echo chamber. About the only thing that this proves is that the Christian Right are capable of counting to six. What remains in doubt is any commitment on their part to be truthful. I guess that truth is a "value" of little or no importance. Massachusetts recognized same-sex marriage and hasn't fallen into the Atlantic Ocean. Presumably, that is why the Christian Right has eliminated the "end of world" apocalyptic rhetoric.

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890) Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

Utter nonsense. The entire section reads: "Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood." There is nothing in the code about teaching anything about defining marriage.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

More idiocy. Equally untrue. Nobody can -- nor would -- require any minister to marry a couple if that marriage did not meet the requirements of that religion or sect.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

Actually, in the case of Catholic Charities, this was about money first. The United Way of Massachusetts Bay, which provided $1.2 million annually to Catholic Charities and was the largest private funder of the agency, planned to review its funding if the agency discriminated against gays and lesbians in its adoption work.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

They needn't worry too much about gay and lesbian couples opting to attend those schools. They currently would be obliged to provide housing to mixed-race couples even if doing so is against their religion.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

Hate speech, no matter how offensive, is protected by the First Amendment. Apparently, the Christian Right is confused about exactly what country the state of California is in.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.

That would be true if the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Counsel file numerous frivolous law suits. Look at how much money that was wasted in Oregon on appeals of appeals. That notion is not supported by the litigation record in Massachusetts.