SAN FRANCISCO — The ballot summary to California's amendment to protect marriage has been rewritten.
-
(Photo: AP Images / Rich Pedroncelli)In this file photo, demonstrators carrying signs against same-sex 'marriage' are seen across from the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorders office where dozens of gay and lesbian couples were waiting to obtain marriage licenses in Sacramento, Calif. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
The description to Proposition 8, known as the "California Marriage Protection Act," originally stated that the measure would amend the California Constitution "to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
But the modified version, which will be published in the voter information guides this fall, describes the marriage initiative as amending the state Constitution to "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."
The original ballot summary appears in the second sentence of the revised description.
The new language also suggested a negative fiscal impact in the short term.
"Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact to state and local governments," reads the revised summary.
The old summary read: "The measure would have no fiscal effect on state or local governments. This is because there would be no change to the manner in which marriages are currently recognized by the state."
The secretary of state's office says that description was changed to reflect a May 15 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex "marriage," according to The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, a battle is brewing over the supporting and opposing arguments for the measure that will be published in the voter information pamphlets.
Supporters of Prop. 8 argue that if the ruling allowing gay "marriage" is not overturned, public schools would be required to teach that same-sex "marriage" is the same as traditional marriage in health education programs that would target pupils as early as kindergarten.
Critics of the measure contend that such arguments are a "smokescreen" and that California law prohibits schools from teaching family and health issues to children without parental consent.
But Jennifer Kerns, spokesperson for the Yes on 8 campaign, disagrees.
Citing the California Education Code, she said that state law requires teachers to instruct children about marriage in health education classes and that such programs are required under law to include instruction on "the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage," the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
That means students at every grade level must now be taught that same-sex "marriage" is the same as opposite-sex marriage, Kerns told the newspaper.
"We should not accept a court decision that results in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay," Prop. 8 supporters say in ballot arguments, according to the local Chronicle. "That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn't be forced on us against our will."
If Californians pass Prop. 8 in November, it wouldn't be the first time voters affirmed marriage as only between a man and a woman. In 2000, over 61 percent approved a law that protected the traditional definition of marriage.
RSS
But don't you see mike this is the same ole stuff right out of the Bible, Gods word it is what you need to make it mike to His heaven. He is the same today as yesterday as tomorrow. roll your eyes mike, dont you think your same ole same ole arguements bore us to tears. half the time they are not even read anymore. But the words that are being spoken to you are the words of eternal life mike, not death. i believe God is calling you, drawing you near to Him. He wants to show you His love, a perfect Love, a healing Love, one that can change you and your perspective. roll your eyes mike but seak His Kingdom not your. Gods Blessing In Christ Tom
Tom, for once could you post something other than typical Christian rhetoric? I do nothing but glance over it and roll my eyes.
Don't you see mike we all are praying for you. To see the light that God sent into the world Jesus Christ. It is this same Jesus who died for you and when you surrender your will to His. He can change you into what He wants you to be and that is Holy and righteous. but you must first accept jesus as Lord and turn from your sins, all of them. Walk the narrow road that leads to life, eternal life with God Himself. As you walk this walk protected by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, by His blood. You will be transformed by the renewing of your mind. As you do this He will pour out His, (God) love into you by His Spirit. A love you have never known one that can and will cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Do you hear Him mike He is calling, trying to draw you near. Listen to Him. Gods Blessing In Christ Tom
Im not a toddler. Please, if you pray for me, pray that God's will be done, not "Jesus, cleanse this sinner of his sin!" As you don't really know that's God's will, I think it would be quite the arrogant prayer, agreed?
I'm not making assumptions. I'm just saying that I do love you as much as I love myself. But you can spout off how I don't, but I'm used to it. When my kids were toddlers and I told them that I didn't want them doing something they thought was okay, they used the same argument "You don't love me! Or else you'd let me do what feels good!"
And as much as you try and deny it, I do love you as much as I love myself. That's why I pray for you.
Prophet, you're making a lot of assumptions about my love with my partner which you most certainly know nothing about. Of course I want this love: It keeps me in check, it challenges me to be a better person, it raises my spirits so that I can then go out and show more love to my students and those around me. My love for my partner and his for me does exactly the same as your love for your wife.
mike,
But it is you who doesn't understand. I do love you like I love myself. I wouldn't allow myself to be caught up in the sin of homosexuality, and so I love you enough to not want you to either. The point is, that you don't want that kind of love. You think that love says "do whatever you want. it's okay. there is no consequences for your action."
But love actually says "Please stop. Don't you see what you're doing? Don't you realize what's going to happen if you keep sinning? I don't want you to get hurt."
So you can preach at me all day long about loving you (and other homosexuals) as I love myself. Becuase I do.
Mike2685,
"Historically, he was writing against the Pagans. "
I agree. But my point is that Paul said these things happened to them because they put created things in the place of God. This is what we are to NOT do. Some people would do the things spoken of as bad in context of a religious ritual, but others did the same things in other contexts.
My point is that the things mentioned in Romans 1 as bad were spoken of as bad, regardless of context.
in romans 1, I don't see him talking about who "they" really were either. Historically, he was writing against the Pagans.
Mike2685,
Look at Romans 1 again, because I do not see any mention of a pagan ritual orgy. I simply see people who replaced God with something created, and they were given over to the desires of their hearts for it. They were given over to sin (which was shameful, unnatural, indecent, perversion) because they put their ideas above God Himself.
You clearly disagree prophet, stop acting as if you don't understand, that tactic is getting old with "Christians." Doreen, I do agree. I know the message of Jesus, and the greatest rule was to love others as we love ourselves, to love God with all our heart, and to do unto others as we'd have done to them. I guess many of these "Christians" want people to condemn them for each little step out of bounds they take.
I agree. We need to concentrate on the Spirit of the Word, which says sin is sin and it will separate us from God. So I choose to refrain from sin.
Personally, I think I can do more of God's work if I trust myself, in my God-given abilities, to make good judgments in His name. Without worrying too much about the exact words...and concentrating more on the Spirit within those words. Carrying on what He is REALLY about.
Personally, I'd rather not find out AFTER it's too late.
Right, such as attending orgies all the time, which is something I don't do. Rather, i will adopt children in need of a loving, stable environment which my partner and I create with love. If you believe God will condemn me for that, nothing I can really say except I disagree and we'll all find out one day.