Proposition 8 and 'outright bigotry'

Re "Mormons are big backers of Proposition 8," Oct. 13: I was awestruck at the commitment demonstrated by the Pattersons in donating $50,000 to the Prop. 8 campaign. It also saddens me in equal measure to see what can only be described, no matter how seemingly noble the intent, as outright bigotry.

The Pattersons appear willing to have a gay or lesbian serve them as a police officer, firefighter, physician, soldier, etc., but only as a second-class citizen.

No doubt many people sacrificed a great deal to keep Jim Crow laws intact, and at the time were equally sure of their moral righteousness in doing so. It appears the right isn't even willing to accept "separate, but equal."

– Sam Dickson, Sacramento

Mormon makes a distinction

Re "Mormons are big backers of Proposition 8," Oct. 13: Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights complained, "The amount of money the Mormon church is giving is alarming and sobering."

The Mormon church is not giving any money to the "Yes on Prop. 8" coalition, its members are. This is an important distinction because if this proposition fails (and I hope it doesn't) then the opposition will go after churches who do not embrace so-called same-sex marriages and seek to punish them.

Church leaders have reaffirmed that the church only gets involved in political issues when they are moral ones. Prop. 8 falls into that category.

As a member of the church, I felt no compulsion to get involved, although I was encouraged to do so. No one threatened my salvation or membership. I got involved because I wish to do my small part to preserve the divine institution of marriage between a man and a woman.

– Sean J. Campbell, Carmichael

Save marriage? Ban divorces

If the supporters of Proposition 8 really want to protect marriage, they should propose a constitutional amendment to ban divorce.

If they succeed in denying marriage rights to same-sex couples this November, perhaps then they can tackle the real threat to "traditional" marriage – divorce! After all, forcing all couples to remain married for life is the only real way to protect the sanctity of marriage and save the family.

– Karl Halfman, Sacramento

A call for Prop. 8 tolerance

There has been a great cry from those opposing Proposition 8 for tolerance. But what really is tolerance?

Certainly, tolerance requires a noncontentious manner of relating toward one another in our differences. However, it should not and does not require abandoning one's own beliefs or standards on political issues.

You can show tolerance and love for others and yet still examine the facts. Proposition 8 is about (a) restoring the definition of traditional marriage, (b) protecting children, and (c) overturning the ruling of four activist judges who ignored the 61 percent of Californians who voted for the exact same words in 2000.

Passing Proposition 8 is about protecting marriage between a man and a woman and certainly does not justify any kind of hateful behavior. However, some who oppose Proposition 8 claim that simply having a different opinion is "hate" speech. Shouldn't tolerance go both ways?

After examining the facts (www.protectmarriage.com), we hope you choose to support Proposition 8 as we do. If, however, you disagree, we will have tolerance for you and your beliefs and respectfully request the same courtesy be given to those in favor of this proposition.

– Chris and Maureen Dudley, Rocklin

'A degree of child neglect'

Re "Mormons are big backers of Proposition 8," Oct. 13: I shudder to think of the other uses $50,000 could be used by the Patterson family on their five boys – such as their college education. Or for mankind such as cancer research or for the homeless for food.

I am bothered greatly by a family that would teach their children that a large sum of money can be used to advance intolerance and divisiveness in the name of "protecting" marriage. I ask: Protect from what?