Concerned Women for America - Christians Under Attack: Same-Sex “Marriage” in California

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Christians Under Attack: Same-Sex “Marriage” in California 11/19/2008
By Mario Diaz, Esq.

One question has been missing from the reports of protests and threats of violence by homosexual activists against the people who supported traditional marriage in California: Why? What do the protesters hope to accomplish by posting the names and addresses of people who donated to the "Yes on Prop 8" campaign on websites, disrupting church services - even asking people to burn down churches - threatening or intimidating the elderly and targeting supporters' businesses or social events, among other things?

Many believe the answer is obvious and, therefore, casually dismiss it. Some claim this is an oppressed group making their voices heard. Others say the events highlight the hypocrisy and intolerance of a group crying for tolerance.

But whatever you think of the "homosexual movement," the question still remains: What are they trying to accomplish? The California Supreme Court recognized in its now-infamous same-sex "marriage" decision that homosexual couples already possess the legal rights and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual couples through California's civil union law. So they are not trying to obtain equal rights. Proposition 8 did not change that.

And even if that is what they think they are fighting for, why these tactics? Though some may say they are "expressing their views," it is clear that what they are engaging in goes far beyond that. Intimidation and fear seems to be the end game.

And here is where the issue takes on a whole different tone. Posting comments saying to traditional marriage supporters to "watch their backs" is not advancing a cause. That type of practice is unacceptable.

Concerned Women for America (CWA) has received reports that a counter protest in support of marriage was suspended after authorities advised the group not to go through with it because they feared for the safety of participants. No matter what side of the issue you agree with, we should all be concerned about this type of abuse. This lets us know that authorities consider the threats of homosexual activists very real and not merely rhetoric as some may claim. But why is nothing being done about it? Homosexual activists who are engaging in these activities may have crossed into the criminal realm, and the state should step in and investigate.

The concept of attempted assault has long been debated in legal circles, but it may well be applicable here. Where assault is defined as intentionally putting another in fear of a battery, a charge of attempted assault might be a reasonable and necessary law enforcement tool.

Trying to attack people personally, depriving them of their livelihood, and instilling fear for their safety and the safety of their children are tactics that are (should) not be part of the political process and law enforcement should take them seriously.

Imagine some unknown person doesn't like something you support, so he creates a website dedicated to you on which he says you and your friends should "watch out." Then you look out the window and the person is in front of your office with signs telling you "your time is up, a new way of thinking is ahead." Then this person follows your family to your place of worship or where you socialize. Wouldn't you feel a little apprehensive? How would your family feel? Would you think something should be done to make this person stop or at least tone down their pursuit so that your family can come and go without fear?

If the attacked group were almost any other, we would probably see a stricter enforcement of the law. Christians, though, are apparently an easy and acceptable target.

Yes, as Christians, Matthew 5:44 calls us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us. That will never change, no matter how awful the treatment by the other side. The fact is that, whether homosexual activists want to accept it or not, Christians are protecting all people, including homosexuals, by protecting marriage. They appealed to the people to win the vote on marriage and they won.

Homosexual activists should learn from that. Fear, intimidation and violence will get them nowhere. It might give them a sense of power and maybe provide a place for some stress relief, but it will not make their position any more true or desirable. It won't change hearts and minds, and it won't change the Word of God, which is the basis for Christian belief.

What these tactics might do is get some of them to do something they'll regret. When we let our emotions guide our actions we can do some pretty dumb things. Here is what one of them wrote on a blog post:

While financially I supported the Vote No, and was vocal to everyone and anyone who would listen, I have never considered being a violent radical extremist for our equal rights. But now I think maybe I should consider becoming one. Perhaps that is the only thing that will affect the change we so desperately need and deserve.

Authorities should never let that happen. The time to stop the assault on Christians in California is now. Let us restore the American spirit, where we are able to debate issues and persuade one another of the appropriate way to move forward. Peaceful protests and dissent is not the problem, in fact they are desirable; intimidation and violence against religious groups, on the other hand, are intolerable and should be fought against by all freedom-loving people.

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