Election Day, 2009: NO ON 1 in Maine

So, yesterday, I was tuning in to some of the big election day “hotspots”. Specifically, I was paying attention to the “No On 1” campaign in Maine. I remember last spring, thinking – those lucky people in Maine – finally some progress being made for the GLBT community there. So, I was particularly interested in the outcome of this issue on the ballots. While I was online, I saw the Facebook status of a Maine resident, and it read “Yes on 1! Stand for marriage between one man and one woman!!” As you might expect, this person had like-minded friends who posted notes supporting this stance, but the one that stood out to me was this one, which said:

“C'mon Christians! Get out there and vote... Don't vote your conscience. Don't FOLLOW your heart - it'll steer you wrong. (Above all, the heart is deceitful and wicked...) LEAD your heart, and vote according to Gods principals. That would be a resounding "YES", on 1!!”

It got me thinking – whoa! That’s really what we’re up against, isn’t it? I was glad that very shortly after I saw that, I happened upon this:

http://www.melwhite.org/blog/91

…which basically says (and I quote): “I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is “an abomination to God,” about how homosexuality is a “chosen lifestyle,” or about how through prayer and “spiritual counseling” homosexual persons can be “cured.” Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy.”

What I know for sure is that, someday, we will reach the point where “with liberty and justice for all” actually applies to ALL, and not “some”. I just hope and pray that we don’t do irreparable damage to each other in the struggle to get there.

God is LOVE, people. Doesn’t it make your heart sing to believe that? It does mine.