The Gum Tree for 2006 July 9

I will not go further in outlining my moral objections to homosexuality that are founded in my spiritual (no I didn't say religious although religion did play a role in developing my understanding of spiritual truth--solid, valid, and eternal); as I was saying, I will not go further except to say that if you still have doubts as to what you should be supporting in the political realm then read the words of the prophet: “Any other sexual relations, including those between persons of the same gender, undermine the divinely created institution of the family” and furthermore “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” The word of wisdom was a counsel to the “weakest of the saints” and not a commandment—ever, but you cannot get into the temple if you don’t abide by the word of wisdom. Similarly ask yourself if you can honestly answer affirmatively to the temple recommend question regarding sustaining your leaders if you oppose their efforts to pass constitutional amendments banning gay marriage.

Having said that, I will now outline the social and political reasons why I oppose homosexual marriage (or anything like unto it). “Those measures” in my mind includes the criminalization of such behavior. That is right. Call me intolerant and a bigot. I think that pornographers should also be criminalized. I think that people who violate legal contracts (e.g. marriage) by committing adultery should be punished by the strong arm of the government in order to protect the institution of the family. I also think that people who produce literature that gives pointers as to how to molest children should be locked up (honestly, I think people like that [child predators] should be discretely whipped because there is only one way to get to such people—through their skin—and if you think that is harsh just remember what the Savior said about the punishment those people deserve. And he was so loving and kind to those publicans and sinners!). Finally, I think that homosexuality is a menace to society; to quote Brigham Young. The act should be condemned and punished, and in a righteous society it would be punished.

READ THIS PLEASE: I am not advocating vigil ante action, or hatred of anybody. I have respect for all people—even murderers and adulterers. I also respect their right to a fair trial. I also believe in being subject to laws, magistrates, rulers and so forth. I also believe that the voice of the people have the right to implement those measures which ensure the rights of people to live free from harmful and detrimental influences, and to restrict behavior that has a negative social cost. As a person who values life, I argue that the government has a duty to restrict such actions that are concerned with either the taking away of life or the giving of life. The power to give life, if misused, will plagued society with ills that are numberless.

I cite Jeffery R Holland—who as an American History and Literature graduate of Yale can contribute to this public discussion: “No man [or woman], however brilliant or well-informed, can … safely … dismiss … the wisdom of [lessons learned] in the laboratory of history. A youth boiling with hormones will wonder why he should not give full freedom to his sexual desires; [but] if he is unchecked by custom, morals, or laws, he may ruin his life before he … understand[s] that sex is a river of fire that must be banked and cooled by a hundred restraints if it is not to consume in chaos both the individual and the group.”

I am sorry if my philosophy hurts my relationship with others. I was warned that the gospel would sometimes force me to choose between it and Father, Mother, Sister and Brother. I believe that we can agree to disagree agreeably, but if it is between my popularity and personal relationships or the denial of my faith (which is not the same as values, religion, or belief--BTW) then I am forced to choose the latter. The gospel is the most important gift that I have obtained in my life.

That is my public policy debate. I don’t have time to cite social science articles, but I think that the effects of sexual sin are sufficiently obvious to those who care to look.