Prop 8 - What Are We Teaching Our Children?

It's the question that was asked in a Yes on Prop 8 ad recently released in California. Prop 8 would start the process to make the state constitution define marriage as between a man and a woman. Many would like to see this prop passed while others would not. As of right now it is legal to marry if you are a homosexual couple in the state of California. That would change if a constitutional amendment is made.

The question though, what are we teaching our children, is a good one? What exactly are you teaching your children when you say that because your belief system says that marriage is between a man and a woman only that only those marriages deserve the benefits that come with it? What are you teaching your children when you tell your children that being homosexual is a sin and a bad thing? What do those things teach our children?

How can teaching tolerance, acceptance and most of all respect to children be a bad thing? Yes some things can't be tolerated, bigotry, racism and discrimination should never be accepted and tolerated. And this is the most important reason why Prop 8 shouldn't be passed.

Belief systems are private personal beliefs, none of which should be imposed on others. Although the Yes on 8 supporters believe the majority of the state of California believes marriage is between a man and a woman, it doesn't mean that it's something that should be law. The constitution of California and the United States protects against this sort of action. The minority has to be protected against the majority. If the logic that because the majority approves of a ban, so it must be banned were to be applied, people still wouldn't be able to marry inter-racially, women wouldn't be able to vote, and who knows perhaps segregation would have continued long after it ended.

Sometimes what the majority wants is not the best for society. People like to say they vote based on their religious beliefs, but it's more important to vote based on what's good for society as a whole and it's important to recognize that your beliefs may not be the best for society as a whole. We have to remember that by discriminating and making laws that keep citizens of this state from getting the rights they deserve we cause more problems than solutions.

So in the end, what are we teaching our children? To love, respect and tolerate people who are different or to hate, disrespect and discriminate against those who are different. It's your choice on what you teach them but parents best be prepared for the consequences of their actions.