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The short description in the header reads “I’m just sayin’.” When I started this little project, I thought I would just write things I thought about. The kind of thing I would say to people if they listened.
That was pretty easy when no one was reading.
I didn’t know that clean water and poverty would be such a hit. I’m gratified that somebody thinks willisays is worth reading. I’m still not sure why I get hundreds of hits a day now. Even when I don’t write anything!
A new feeling of responsibility has overtaken me. I have to have something important to say for the folks. I have to avoid offending readers. What would happen if people stopped coming by? The $4.00 in Amazon kick backs would dry up.
Yeah, it sounds pretty lame when I write it out. But that’s been me over the past few days and weeks.
I’m glad that’s over.
I worked on the Yes on 8 campaign Tuesday. I live in California. I think marriage is important. It seemed like the thing to do. I didn’t have any money to give, so I worked on the campaign. (The $4 from Amazon hasn’t got here yet.)
I kept having this nagging feeling though. I saw the New York Times picture of the two gay dad’s struggling to provide for their kid. My compassion for them and others like them has really grown. They have a unique struggle. I started to worry that I was just making their struggle harder.
These people who live differently that me were just trying to make their way in life. They were no threat to me, I began to think.
Well, you probably heard that Prop 8 passed. Just before the election though, there started to be vicious attacks on my religious beliefs. The attacks continue. But the attacks have spread to all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Erinannie at Moments of Clarity and Chaos shares the too common experience of this week:
At some point in the morning I got a ‘tweet’ about the No on Prop 8/anti-Mormon rally today in L.A. At first the way this tweet was written was specifically anti-Mormon. It wasn’t about civil liberties, or the CA state constitution, or even about love and marriage. It was flat out a threat against Mormons.
Not once have I made a public comment, whether on my blog or on Twitter, about Prop 8. In fact, I have very conflicting feelings about it, and have steered far away from any conversations on the subject. The bottom line is that I don’t live in California, and therefore, don’t feel that I should exert any influence over another state’s vote. I know many people disagree in different ways over that position. I don’t really care.
So you can only imagine how shocked I was when I personally started receiving threats today all because my Twitter account has me identified as Mormon. I was told to go to hell in more ways than I can count.
I’m having a hard time maintaining my compassion. I haven’t threatened to kill, made fun of beliefs or picketed sacred places of anyone who disagrees with me. But that’s what I get in return.
The unnoticed attack on freedom of thought has been fought slowly in the past. Now that a major counter-attack has been won, the silent enemy is revealed.
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Tags: Christianity, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Latter-day Saints, Mormon, New York Times, Religion and Spirituality, Twitter
November 7th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I appreciate your post. It stings a bit to see a sacred place defiled, no matter whose sacred place it is.
The prop 8 debate is extremely difficult. If the state were actually taking rights away, then I may have been a “no” vote. However, all the prop did was define marriage as between one man and one woman.
For years the state of California has recognized the civil union between same sex couples, who continue to have all rights afforded to them in regard to visitations in health care facilities, death benefits, pensions, insurance coverage, property and real estate, adoption, foster care, etc. None of these rights have been taken away.
The media is partially to blame, I feel, for not fully examining these laws already in place in California, and for the continuation of the “discrimination” slant on this. The only discriminating point is a word, not rights. Other states may have restrictions within their codes and or laws in regard to civil unions, however California is not one of them. All the rights have been there and they still continue. Civil unions are recognized in the state, and will continue to be.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:42 am
@s’mee -
I can very much understand the feeling of some gay people that they are being denied whole citizenship. Gay leadership has convinced them that there is a problem. These social activists, lawyers and such aren’t needed if there is not a problem. So there has to be a problem.
Certainly there is wickedness in this movement.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I appreciate your thoughts about blogging, and share similar feelings.
I was vocal throughout the Prop 8 campaign, and felt strongly to use my time and abilities for this cause, in outward ways. I blogged, twittered, used Facebook, and commented on many blogs. However, when it was all said and done, the votes tallied - I knew that come what may… it would be accepted by supporters; as the will of the people.
I also was confident, that IF it passed - we would encounter great opposition, and anger from our opponents; even directed towards the Mormon Church. However - it is the level that I did not anticipate.
I have yet to write on any of my own blogs, regarding my feelings about what is currently happening with the hate on Mormon campaign. I am still absorbing it, and considering the world in which today - we are now living…
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs
November 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I believe that we will see the real story start to play out now. We were warned that there would be several consequences that would happen if Prop 8 failed to pass. IMHO I think what we didn’t realize is that they would happen anyway, but with the passage of Prop 8 less power is given to their agenda and cause. We are still seeing those who oppose Prop 8 pushing their true agendas forward as follows: silencing the voice of the faith based community, removing tax exempt status from Churches that did not support same sex marriage, attacking specific religious denominations labeling them as intolerant bigots, furthering instruction of children on these issues through the public school system and initiating libelous lawsuits.
These issues and many more which are yet to surface are simply held at bay with the passage of Prop 8. This will be a struggle forever.
The entire No on Prop 8 campaign was based upon NO on 8, No on Hate, I believe that has proven to be a very big LIE as I see the signs in the the most recent rally… especially the one stating “All Mormons are going to Hell”. I believe that is exactly the thing they decried as unacceptable?
November 8th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Removing tax exempt status is a great idea because if a church is going to have such an influence on an election, especially when money is coming from out of state organizations (this isn’t strictly Mormons either), then it should only be right to pay taxes. If not, then keep your religion and politics separate. I do, however feel that it is a little unfair that the Mormon church is being singled out, but they did supply the majority of the funding for the yes on 8 campaign so it would be a little naive to not expect this. I also condemn those who defaced a Mormon temple up in Sacramento. Defacing property, especially religious property, is way over the line. What I do support are their peaceful protests and the exercising of their rights, you know civil rights, for the civil rights that were taken away last Tuesday. Being gay is no different than being black, brown, etc. You are born with it. Those who disagree usually are those who’s religious beliefs spill into politics. Look at it from a logical stand point, to deny someone a right because they are born a certain way to just plain wrong no matter how you dress it up. If your religion says it’s a sin, then it’s a sin (again religion spilling into politics). They are already going to burn in hell anyway right? Just let them marry for Christ sake and have the satisfaction that you allowed someone to marry somebody they loved and can be a happier person for it. I doubt your God will send you o that other place for doing the right thing.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
@Alex -
That’s quite the rant. Your all over the place. Reads like a copy and paste response.
However, I’ll address your attempt at silencing your opposition. Church’s exist to give people a moral grounding. If you want to tax a church because they preach morality, you’ll have to extend it to every church, synagogue and mosque. You’re advocating state control of religious expression. Think that out. It’s not going to happen.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
@Inthedoghouse -
Agreed, this is all following the gay activist play book. They will play the victim to the hilt. Turn the good to look evil.
What they are after is forcing everyone to agree with them by any means necessary.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
@LdsNana -
You have been tireless in advocating family centered policy. I applaud you.
I hope I don’t read to much into your comment, but it sounds like you’re ready to move on to another topic. I haven’t written that much and I know I’d rather not have to keep discussing this.
Yet, I can’t allow someone to attack my freedoms without response. I know when you decide to write again, it will be well done.
Courage.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
@Willis Whitlock - (Haha I apologize if my last comment was all over the place.) I agree that something like that will not happen nor am I advocating it. That was the point. I just see it unfair that an institution should be so heavily involved in politics should not have to pay taxes, but I don’t realistically see that happening, ever. Anyways, Churches do preach morality freely of course. This is the United States. There is also this thing in the United States known as separation of church and state, which I strongly agree with. And nobody is forcing anyone to agree with anyone. Recognizing is not agreeing. Say prop 8 were to have failed. You would still feel the way you felt about same-sex marriage (and homosexuality for that matter) before the prop failed, but you could still marry as usual as well as other straight couples. The bible (or whichever religious transcript one follows) should be used as a guideline, I feel. One can’t help being gay, so why cast them aside and label them as a sinner? To be gay and yet be the kindest person to everyone and still be a sinner? To be born in this world be automatically labeled a sinner sounds a little too harsh. Treat them how you would wish to be treated. They are human, just like you and I. So, why not let them marry? Same-sex marriage is in no way attacking your religious freedoms. It bothers you because you allow it to. You may not agree with it (and I am in no way telling you to or want you to change your views or change what you believe), but homosexuality is something that has been around for centuries and is here to stay. Those couples will want the right to marry as well. Prop 8 did pass, but by a small margin and that margin is only going to get smaller as time goes on.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:30 am
@Alex -
The fact of same sex marriages does not bother me and, as you point out really doesn’t affect me. The 18,000 same sex couples married since June can go right on with their lives that is not a problem.
The problem really is a threat to religious freedom. The gay activist agenda (what some have labeled the Gaystopo or Velvet Mafia) has steadily marched forward since it was stated in the book “After The Ball” in 1988. It is a systematic effort to create a special class for homosexuals. It is undemocratic and has nothing to do with equality. It has everything to do with power and forcing a world view on the public. Prop 8 is a direct protection from that agenda.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
@Willis Whitlock - A fair argument. I’m really glad I found this blog because it has allowed me to understand where the other side is coming from. We may not agree with each other, but I’m glad we had this discussion. Haha and I will bother you no more
I Leave you with a quote from Samuel Clemens:
We despise all reverences and all the objects of reverence which are outside the pale of our own list of sacred things. And yet, with strange inconsistency, we are shocked when other people despise and defile the things which are holy to us.
Also, here is a link to a video that far better explains my position on this issue far better than I could ever articulate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUecPhQPqY
Good Day!
November 11th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
@Alex -
Thanks for the civil discussion, Alex. You are welcome here any time. I’m glad we have a better understanding of each other.
Peace.