Maybe California Isn't as Progressive as We Thought...

On May 16th, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that two state laws, both limiting marriage to officially be between a man and a woman, were unconstitutional. 30 days later, that ruling became the law. A week ago, however, California voters, through initiative and referendum (a reformation from the Progressive era), struck down the very same law that the state's congress deemed constitutional.

On November 4th, 52% voters ensured that Proposition 8, which deemed gay marriage illegal, passed. While some see the problem as a civil rights issue, others see it as a religious issue. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pushed hard in their campaign to have gay marriage banned. And the Mormon Church, while receiving the brunt of protests, weren't the only ones. Some Baptist churches and evangelical churches were against the proposition, as well. Interestingly enough, there were also churches against the proposition as well. According to SignonSanDiego.com, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral felt that the proposition should not have passed. "The very foundations of law are being shattered... everybody deserves the same rights."

This brings up an interesting issue in American politics. We, as Americans, have immense pride about the system of freedom and equality in this country; we’re all for political and social equality. But on the other hand, if the equality in question pushes too hard against our religious beliefs, then we strike it down. Granted civil unions are a step away from this, but in a lot of states, that’s as far as those laws will go. The only states where our gay citizens can actually get “married” are Massachusetts and Connecticut. This whole thing makes me question our so-called American Creed. I think many things in it are true, but I wonder if those things were true years ago. Maybe the creed should be rewritten. Or maybe as some suggest, it doesn’t really exist at all.

.