A pretty good chunk of the Mormon, ex-Mormon, and New Order Mormon interweb-world seems to be focusing on California’s Proposition 8 right now (in short, there’s a referendum on the ballot to illegalize same-sex marriage, the LDS Church is actively supporting it and has called on members in California to commit their time and money in its support). This is not very apolitical for a Church that claims to stay out of politics (no surprise, the “we stay out of politics” crap is really just a smokescreen to keep the Church from having to answer politically when it does not want to).
Whatever. I know it’s a really big deal, for gays in California, for gays in the Church, and for Mormons everywhere. But I wish people would take a break and talk about something else.
Sailing to Byzantium 
I noticed your blog mentioned Prop 8, and I wanted to respond with some thoughts on that. Prop 8 isn’t an issue about “rights”. It is about preserving the definition of “marriage” as between a man and a woman. Gay people can do what they want, and they can even enjoy many civil benefits through civil unions and the such. But that isn’t marriage. Gay people should be treated with kindness and respect, like anyone. Gay people aren’t the issue here nor the problem. The problem is that 4 arrogant judges in black robes sitting in their ivory tower overturned the express will of a clear majority of California citizens when they ruled by fiat and illegally legislated from the bench when they unilaterally redefined marriage. Prop 8 allows the citizens of California to say no to Judicial Activism and Judicial Tyranny. There are elements of the judiciary that are way out of control and are endangering the balance of power in our republic by getting involved in “legislating”. This has got to stop. Voting yes on Prop 8 will help put those elitist judges back in their place and let them know they cannot arrogantly overule the will of the people in a matter as fundamental to the future of civilization as the bedrock institution of marriage. That is something important enough that it should not be left to 4 elitist judges to impose by fiat.
May I speak a word to my gay friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow-countrymen. You are a minority and I’m sure you recognize that. And that is ok. But please show kindness and tolerance for the rest of us and vote with us to help preserve marriage as between a man and a woman. I know you may not have any personal parochial interest in voting yes on Prop 8. But as your friend and neighbor, I’m asking for your vote to help preserve the definition of this institution that is so important. Thank you.
Seriously, you’re just making yourself look stupid here. It’s called Judicial Review, and it’s been fundamental to the federal judiciary since Marbury v. Madison.
Yes, there are conceptual problems with it, and in law we refer to it as the countermajoritarian problem. It’s worth discussing, in all honesty.
But using inane phrases like “judicial tyrrany” and “legislating from the bench” demonstrates that you’re simply not well-informed enough to have this conversation. Frankly, it is also a conversation I am simply not interested in having with legal laypeople. Moreover, and most importantly, it is only barely on-topic here. The point of this post is that I’m tired of prop 8 dominating the discussion in the mormon and exmo internet.
In fact, by subverting my blog post into a platform for your crap opinion, you’re doing exactly what I’m lamenting. So, case in point. The only reason I’m not deleting your comment is because I want to leave it as an example as what not to do. Don’t come back.
We could always discuss the shirtless Mormon missionary calendars instead…
Ooh yeah, that would be fun.