Proposition 8 Won't Be Easy to Defeat

By John Henning, Huffington Post. Posted October 7, 2008.

Not every city in California is like San Francisco and Los Angeles. In many places, the anti-gay marriage amendment has widespread support.

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In Fresno, California a Roman Catholic priest came out against Proposition 8 last Sunday during mass. In a televised account, KFSN-TV reports:

Father Geoffrey Farrow of the Saint Paul Newman Center in northeast Fresno shocked parishioners Sunday morning when he came out against Proposition 8, an initiative that would eliminate the right for same sex couples to marry in California. After 23 years as an ordained Catholic Priest, Father Geoffrey Farrow has likely given his final mass ... Sunday mass ended with about half the congregation giving a standing ovation. Outside, parishioners had mixed reaction about the priest's remarks. Esmeralda Gonzalez, Parishioner, says "My reaction was extremely shocking. I believe that as the body of Christ and as being Catholics we are made to follow by commandments. And God made it to be Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

Of course, Father Farrow (who, by the way courageously and movingly came out as gay to the TV reporter just before the mass), now loses his job, since the California Bishops have come out in favor of Proposition 8.

Much as states like Ohio and Michigan are the bellwether for the presidential election, Fresno -- not Los Angeles or San Francisco -- is the bellwether for Proposition 8. It's a large California city (metro population: 1 million) in the geographic center of the state. It's racially diverse, and split down the middle between Democrats and Republicans. But with no visible gay presence, it's pretty much a place where you can safely get on TV and say "God made it to be Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

Watch the TV clip. Half of the parishioners are standing and clapping, half are sitting there with arms folded and in utter shock over what they've just heard. That's the audience we're facing on November 4, when gay marriage -- and Adam and Steve -- face the voters. And with the most recent poll by KPIX-TV in San Francisco showing that Prop 8 is leading in the polls, 47 percent to 42 percent, it's still an uphill battle.

See more stories tagged with: gay marriage, california, proposition 8

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No on 8 better take off the gloves or gay marriage in CA is history [Report this comment] Posted by: Googiecat on Oct 8, 2008 4:19 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Proposition 8 is going to pass unless the No on 8 folks get some huevos and start hitting back hard! The no on 8 people are political novices and are getting creamed in the ad wars. Yes on 8 ads are clearly working because they use tried and true fear tactics. Yes on 8 has clearly hired pros who know how to distill a message. No on 8 needs to cut the warm and fuzzy crap and start driving home with this message "Californians can't let the Mormon Church and Pat Robertson get away with spending twenty five million dollars to rewrite our state constitution to reflect their extremist views". No on 8 need to use the American Taliban's crazy quotes and news clips to brand prop 8 as their scary creature, and fast. Anybody out there who cares should contact the No on 8 people and let them know loud and clear that they better start getting ugly, like the other side, or this things going to slip away from us forever! Be afraid, be very afraid! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Homosexuality and the 10 commandments [Report this comment] Posted by: mercury613 on Oct 8, 2008 5:56 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] "I believe that as the body of Christ and as being Catholics we are made to follow by commandments. And God made it to be Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Um, actually, hon, the 10 commandments say nothing about homosexuality. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] The Ends Do Not Justify the Means [Report this comment] Posted by: baumgrenze on Oct 8, 2008 8:08 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Earlier today I attempted to post this comment to a blog regarding Proposition 8 (ctliveblog). I was told that as I'd not posted a comment before, it would not appear until it had been examined by a moderator. I fear that it may not. I view myself as a member of the evangelical Christian community, albeit a progressive one of the sojo.net persuasion. My comment: As I write, the economic world I have known for 68 years is falling apart for lack of trust. Trust is earned through honesty. At this time the supporters of Prop 8 have amassed over $25M and are using it to spread half-truths and lies about what its defeat would mean. Much of this money was collected as tithes and offerings accepted from well-meaning Christians. How much longer can we expect the world to trust our word if we are dishonest? For a clearer picture, read this blog written by an open-minded LDS attorney: http://mormonsformarriage.com/?p=33 When you are done, ask yourself if Christ approves of this expenditure to support Prop 8 when the same funds could be being used to benefit 'the least of these...' For example, see: http://www.compass-sf.org/familyhomeless.html#stats The ends (insuring the passage of Prop 8) do not justify the means (half-truths and lies.) They did not in the 15th century, in the time of the Spanish Inquisition; they do not in the 21st century, the time of our own doing. Baumgrenze [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] er... [Report this comment] Posted by: maestra on Oct 11, 2008 1:11 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Were Adam and Eve married? I think we should be told... [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Vote NO on Prop 8, vote against DISCRIMINATION [Report this comment] Posted by: Shadow_Man on Oct 31, 2008 2:31 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Vote NO on Prop 8. Preserve the rights of equality of the constitution. Equal rights is what our great country was founded upon. Vote NO on Prop 8. Our California Constitution should guarantee the freedoms and rights to everyone. Singling out a group is pure discrimination. No individual should be treated differently. Vote NO on Prop 8. Please don't take away the rights of individuals. Don't eliminate marriage for 2 consenting loving couples. Don't eliminate the thousands of existing marriages that would literally be reversed. How would you feel if you got married, then were told your marriage was no longer valid? Vote NO on Prop 8. Majority of the Ads on TV are blatant LIES and SCARE TACTICS. There is nothing that says it will be taught in schools and churches will not be taxed. Vote NO on Prop 8. Preserve human rights. Two loving consential adults will in no way affect your marriage. At one time, marriage was defined to be a white man and white woman, black man and black woman, etc. In short, interracial marriage was outlawed. Lets not go back to those days of segregation. Vote NO on Prop 8. Laws should treat everybody equally. Vote NO on Prop 8. Domestic partnerships lack many of the rights found in marriage. One group will be denied rights and be discriminated against in a country founded on equal rights. Vote NO on Prop 8: Do not support discrimination, racism, inequality, taking away of human rights, and hatred. Vote smart, Vote NO on Prop 8. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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