This is an excerpt from an email from Equality California…

Dear Friend:

1Sa 17:4  And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits nd a span.
1Sa 17:5  And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
1Sa 17:6  And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
1Sa 17:7  And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron:and one bearing a shield went before him.

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Make no mistake about it.  There is a giant in the land…his name is Goliath and he’s armed with helmet of discrimination, the coat of violence, the shield of prejudice, and the spear of hate.  This giant kills, steals, and destroys.  We are in a battle, a war of cultures and beliefs.  We must stand strong, and fearless, as we face this formidable foe directly and valiantly.  It’s always easier to believe a lie, rather than the truth.

Lambda Legal, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the ACLU filed suit with the state’s highest court today to invalidate Proposition 8 on the grounds that it’s discriminatory and unconstitutional.  Even as ballots are still being counted and the Secretary of State refuse to call the race yet, the GLBT community in California is on the move!  Pass or fail it was certain that Proposition 8 was not going to be the last chapter in the fight for gay rights and equality in the Sunshine State.  The battle to end discrimination against the queer community will seemingly rage on as rumors begin to build that the U.S. Supreme Court may eventually end up deciding this matter once and for all.

This was left in comment on my You Tube video about Proposition 8.  I thought it packed a punch so I’m posting it on here:

Prop 8 is about…
1. Mormons from Utah telling Californians how to vote.
2. The Catholic Church telling Californians how to vote.
3. Evangelical Christians telling Californians how to vote.

Prop 8 is NOT about…
1. Protecting marriage (it isn’t in danger)
2. Protecting children (how can they be harmed by two women/men getting a marriage license?)
3. Churches and Tax (churches can’t be forced to marry anyone–can two jews sue a Catholic Church now if it refused to marry them?)

VOTE NO on 8

“Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  -1Thess 5:16-18

This verse came up today in my reflection and private reading time this afternoon.  It’s a powerful scripture that carries a deeply and profound message.  Happiness is a state of mind I think.  Prayer is an attitude and true thankfulness comes from the heart.  It stood out to me that the exhortation doesn’t say FOR everything to give thanks, it says IN everything…give thanks.  The two are hugely different things.

Be happy.  Be prayerful.  Be thankful. 

“Why are you persecuting me?” 
I have been thinking a lot lately about the position the Catholic Bishops of California are taking on Proposition 8 and on the church’s teachings on homosexuality in general.  

I love my Faith.  I love being Catholic.  I love the Church.  The Church’s usual position on homosexuality is silence.  This isn’t so bad, but it isn’t so good either.  One can only be silent for so long, and since they are no longer silent, I cannot be either.

“Why are you persecuting me?”
In July, The Bishop of Fresno, John T. Steinbock wrote a letter concerning Proposition 8.  You can read it on the Diocese’s website by following this link:  http://www.dioceseoffresno.org/letters/california_law_approving_homosex.htm

The letter is saddening.  It shows a shephered who doesn’t have the slightest idea of who gays really are.  We are your sheep Bishop–We are your parishioners.

The Bishop even goes so far in his letter as to compare the California Supreme Court to the past Nazi and Communist regimes of Germany, Russia and China.  Where is this coming from?  I have to say, “Shame on you Bishop.  I think the words of “why are you persecuting me” are being directly said to you today.” 

The Bishop continues, “Marriage is much more than simply two persons loving each other.  Marriage is naturally, socially, and biologically, directed to bringing forth life.”  I completely agree.  Marriage IS much more than simply two persons loving eachother.  It’s the act of loving.  It’s the act of joining together ‘to honor and cherish all the days of their lives’.  It IS the act of bringing forth life Bishop, but the life that is brought forth, being Straight or Gay, is the new life of the couple.  “The two shall become one.”

“Why are you persecuting me?”
People in favor of Prop 8 like to talk about the word ‘marriage’.  I just read on one website that allowing gays to marry will demean the word.  Well, I’m sorry, but ‘marriage’ is just a word.  It is nothing without the love and life that two people bring to the relationship.  It is this combination that makes marriage a Sacrament. 

The good people of California are going to uphold the court’s decision to allow same-sex marriage.  It is decison of equality.  It is a decision of right.  It is a decision long overdue.  I hope one day soon the Church too will not only allow gay marriage, but be openly embrasing of homosexuals.  There are so many gays who ARE good Catholics–good People, and deserve to be shephered by people who truly understand the love of God.  The good news is that there are wonderful Priests out there.  Don’t make the mistake of making the Vatican or even the Bishop your “church.”  The word ‘catholic’ means ‘universal’ or ‘open to all’.  Let us get to that day!