Back to prop 8

[Stan]

I keep on reading that Prop 8 is a Religious Liberty Issue.

Can someone please explain why it is a Religious Liberty Issue?

P L E A S E do not bring up the morality of this in this thread.

AGAIN, please do not bring up the morality issue of this.

No biting, barking or flaming..

[Dr. Shane]

There are Adventists that are so paranoid that any law passed which restricts any behavior they interpret as being a religious liberty issue. I cannot see that proposition 8 is any more a religious liberty issue than banning polygamy. In fact, since Islam permits polygamy, I would think that banning polygamy is more of a religious liberty issue than proposition 8. And the Supreme Court has ruled that it is not unconstitutional to ban polygamy.

[Taylor]

Nor is it religious to say "you can't steal" even if it is part of the 10 commandments.

[John317]

The issue of religious liberty may be brought up because some are objecting to the fact that a church was a primary supporter of Prop. 8. The question is, should a church be so heavily involved in a political issue?

The following news article speaks to this question:

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed appreciation today for a full-page advertisement in The New York Times that decries the "violence and intimidation" directed toward the Church because of its support of Proposition 8.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expresses its gratitude to the signatories of the full-page advertisement that appeared today in The New York Times. This was a thoughtful and generous gesture at a time when the right of free expression of people of faith has come under attack. We join with those of all religious faiths and political persuasions who have called for reasoned and civil discourse on matters that affect our nation."

The ad was sponsored by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and was signed by scholars, dignitaries and religious leaders from a variety of faiths.

"Religious groups can't claim some sort of special immunity from criticism," the advertisement stated. "Nevertheless, there's a world of difference between legitimate political give-and-take and violent attempts to cow your opponents into submission. Violence and intimidation are always wrong, whether the victims are believers, gay people, or anyone else."

The statement in the ad continued: "Participating in ballot initiatives is legally different from politicking for candidates. It is perfectly lawful for charities, including religious ones. It is perfectly appropriate as well that all voices be heard."

The statement by the group also called for others to add their names to the letter and concluded with a declaration of unified support:

"Therefore, despite our fundamental disagreements with one another, we announce today that we will stand shoulder to shoulder to defend any house of worship -- Jewish, Christian, Hindu, whatever -- from violence, regardless of the cause that violence seeks to serve."

[Dr. Shane]

The Christian church in the north was instrumental in abolishing slavery.

[John317]

That's true, and many of the early Adventists were active in the underground railroad helping slaves gain their freedom. John Byington First SDA President 1863, was active in the Underground Railroad.

I wonder how those those same Adventists would view Prop. 8 if they were alive today. I'm certain they would have supported the concept that a church has the right to support that kind of legislation without being attacked. This is one area where the issue of religious liberty comes into play.

But then it seems like a thin line between that and the idea of churches getting together to support a Sunday-closing law.

We know that the churches will work together for that objective some time, and that time may be closer than we imagine.