Jason Mraz, Jim Carry, and Tom Hanks are three of my most favorite actors and musicians. Unfortunately, all of them said NO to prop 8. That's fine, everyone has an opinion, and should exercise it freely. But what really bothers me is that Tom Hanks called the LDS church Un-American because we voted yes for prop 8. Isn't freely exercising our right to vote American in it self? Actors and musicians who I've supported and respected for years are speaking out against the LDS church over a proposition that was voted "yes" by several other christian churches and ethnic groups who are opposed to homosexual marriage in their churches.
My dear uncle died in 1999 of AIDS; he was homosexual. I miss him every day, and it is hard for me to be asked by the church to take such a political stand for my religious beliefs. Feeling this way made me realize something. I can respect the gay and lesbian community. I can have friends that are homosexual, and I can do all that I can to show them that I care. However, they will know that I don't believe they should get married in a Christian church, where the beliefs of that church lie in the creation, Adam and Eve, and marriage being solely between a man and a woman.
If anything, taking such a firm stand has made me realize that I am being American for exercising my right to vote, having Christian beliefs, and also respecting others that are not of my faith or believe the same way that I do. So, Tom Hanks, I AM American, and you are too! Isn't life wonderful? -Leslie
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About Me
- The Little Twining's
- Brad and Leslie meet in Maryland when Brad was about to turn 3 and Leslie was just born. They grew up in the same ward for a while and eventually got married when Leslie was only 19 and Brad was 22. They are currently attending school at BYU. Brad is an Information Technology major, and Leslie is a Public Health major. They plan to stay in UT for 4 years and go to grad school during that time. Leslie and Brad are expecting a baby September 22, 2010. They are so excited!
3 comments:
Did you read that Tom Hanks apologized for what he said? He apologized for the same reasons you said here, that there is nothing more American than making a decision for yourself and voting how you feel, since that is our American right. Prop 8 is a touchy subject. I think I agree most with something the Church has said: we are not anti-gay, we are pro marriage. Marriage is ordained of God, and God doesn't "support" homosexuality per se. But lots of people make choices to do things that God doesn't support, and that's their right to do so. But something God doesn't support, the Church won't either. I think anytime we swear or gossip or break the law we're doing something God doesn't support, as well. So we've all be on the "other" side. We have to be respectful that we can make choices.
There are definitely a lot of stands that need to be made in the next several years. Prop 8 was/is only the beginning of the gay community's assault on marriage throughout the country and the world. There is A LOT of liberal agenda items that are being considered at the UN, and if we as the US support and uphold what the UN decides, we might end up doing things that the American people never really voted for or agreed to when it comes to moral issues like abortion and gay 'rights.' Keep yourself informed, write to your congressmen, and let your voice be heard!!! Along that line, I heard that Obama is setting up a Whitehouse blog where anybody can comment on any piece of legislation that he is going to consider signing. Believe you me, he's going to be hearing from Kurt Twining!
Really, he apologized? That's awesome! I'm glad to be in America during such an interesting and historical time! I've been praying for Pres. Obama and the nation because Elder Ballard asked us to do so at our Stake Conference last week!
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