It is with great disappointment that we acknowledge the results of Californians’ vote in favor of Proposition 8 to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. For the past 57 days, Adventists Against Prop 8 have endeavored to bring to attention the challenges that this Proposition brings not only to the historic Adventist principle of church-state separation, but also to our prophetic witness as a people of fairness, freedom and compassion. We still believe that it was inadvisable for the Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council to be on record providing support for this Proposition. We also believe that this Proposition represents a misguided attempt at codifying Christian mores and values. Thus, we commit to standing firm with 48% of Californians who have registered their disapproval of this Proposition.
In fact, we are heartened by the marked increase in the percentage of Californians opposing the language of this Proposition. In 2000, Proposition 22 which first introduced an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage to the California Family Code, passed with 61.4% voting yes and 38.6% voting no. In just eight years, popular objection to the same language has risen to nearly the 50:50 level. With voters under 45 voting decidedly against the Proposition, it may be only a matter of time that this Proposition will be stricken from the California state constitution. It is toward that end that we will continue to work.
To the 1,000+ individuals who have signed our petition, and the almost 700 who joined our Facebook group, we thank you for partnering with us in this ministry of advocacy and reconciliation. We hope that you will turn your disappointment and frustration into acts of compassionate advocacy. We look forward to working with you in promoting justice and religious liberty from a distinctly Adventist perspective.
At the same time, we recognize that the disagreement over Proposition 8 has deeply divided many religious groups, including our beloved Adventist community. What binds us as a people of God and followers of Jesus Christ is greater than any dispute we may have. Good and faithful servants of God’s kingdom can have honest differences in their interpretations of Scripture and in their specific applications of great biblical principles. Though we object to many of the arguments given in favor of this Proposition by the CSC and the spirit with which some Adventists have expressed the same arguments, we do not wish to disrespect the CSC’s ministry, but affirm its significance to the Adventist community. We also respect the conviction and passion that supporters of Proposition 8 have displayed. We join them in the desire to lift up the sacred institution of marriage. We also invite them to work with us in leading the Adventist church toward establishing a more compassionate culture that affirms the God-given dignity of each of us, straight, gay and lesbian.
As we press ahead with prayer and humble re-assessment of our thoughts, feelings and actions, we trust that the Spirt of truth and grace will lead all of us to a deeper understanding of God’s will and courage and wisdom to act upon that will.
We are down to the wire on this election. Proposition 8 is still one of the most important decisions Californians will make on Tuesday. Happily, our website, Adventists Against Prop 8, has generated 1036 signatures as of this posting and our Facebook group has grown to 682 members. But there is more work to do. The race is very close (50% NO, 47% YES, 3% UNDECIDED) You can see the most recent polling numbers here.
There have been massive amounts of money and effort spent to convince you to vote one way or the other. So, as you are making your final decisions, here are a couple of things to consider and share with your family and friends.
1. The YES on 8 campaign has used fear and misinformation to convince you to vote YES, amending the California State Constitution to eliminate the rights of same sex couples to marry. The Los Angeles Times had a great editorial this morning detailing these lies and slight of hand. You can read it here.
2. Many conservatives are voting NO on Prop 8, so if you know people who lean conservative in their politics, arguments like this one, might make a difference.
3. Prominent Republicans have change their mind, including the Mayor of San Diego. Watch this very emotional press conference and pass it along to others you know.
4. Finally, for a review of how events have transpired for Adventists for and against Prop 8, check out this summary from Julius Nam’s blog.
Hundreds of Adventists from a broad range of backgrounds and professions have now signed on to the Adventists Against Prop 8 petition. Here are a few Adventist leaders talking about why they’re choosing to vote “no” on Prop 8. Please share this PSA widely. We’d love to hear from you too. Post your own 30 second (or longer) clip on our YouTube channel about why you’re voting “no” on Prop 8.
We urge Seventh-day Adventists in the State of California to vote “no” on Proposition 8, a ballot initiative titled “Eliminates Right of Same-sex Couples to Marry,” on November 4. We also urge the Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council to rescind its support for this Proposition.
We believe that this Proposition, which would amend the California State Constitution to define marriage as only “between a man and a woman,” breaches the spirit of religious liberty, separation of church and state, and non-establishment of religion that Adventists have long cherished. By supporting this Proposition to define marriage from a religious perspective, many, including the Church State Council, are in danger of imposing their particular religious, theological convictions upon the general public.
Adventists in the United States have historically defended the concerns of minority groups (even when they have disagreed with them on specific positions and practices) and have strongly objected to the use of religious arguments and means for establishing even what they consider to be public good (such the establishment of “blue laws” to fight widespread alcohol consumption on Sundays or the institution of prayer time in public schools). Adventists, as a people of faith and prophecy who have given special attention to apocalyptic events outlined in Revelation 13 and 14, have always advocated the safeguarding of rights of individuals and groups — even when we have disagreed with them — and the non-intrusion of overtly religious language and rationale in the formation or alteration of public policy.
We believe that Proposition 8 can lead California — and the rest of the nation because of the significance of the state — down a highly troublesome and dangerous road toward religious definitions and arguments becoming a key part in shaping public policy, especially in matters that deal with private practices and rights of individuals.
While individual Adventists will hold a diversity of views on same-sex marriage and the role of religion in public life, all Adventists ought to consider carefully the serious religious liberty and church-state implications that Proposition 8 presents. We urge the Church State Council to rescind its support for Proposition 8. We encourage Adventists in California to vote “NO” on Proposition 8.
Mitchell Tyner
Retired Associate General Counsel & Associate Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Terrence Finney
Retired Superior Court Judge, State of California Lawrence T. Geraty
President Emeritus, La Sierra University Tim Mitchell
Senior Pastor, Pacific Union College Church Chris Blake
Associate Professor of English and Communication, Union College Deborah Silva
Professor of Speech Communication, Walla Walla University Fritz Guy
Research Professor of Theology, La Sierra University Michelle Rai
Chair, Communication Dept., Pacific Union College Alger Keough
Executive Pastor, Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, Grand Terrace, CA Gary Chartier
Associate Professor of Law and Business Ethics, La Sierra University Delwyn Finch
Pastor of Web Ministries, Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church, Apopka, FL David Larson
Professor of Religion, Loma Linda University Jeff Gang
Pastor, Crosswalk Seventh-day Adventist Church, Redlands, CA Charles Scriven
President, Kettering College of Medical Arts Maury Jackson
Associate Pastor, Lancaster (CA) Seventh-day Adventist Church Aubyn Fulton
Professor of Psychology, Pacific Union College Michael McMillan
Pastor, Victoria Seventh-day Adventist Church, San Bernardino, CA Sam Leonor
Chaplain, La Sierra University Milbert Mariano
Chair of Visual Arts Dept., Pacific Union College Richard Lee
Associate Pastor, San Diego Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church David Oceguera
Pastor, Brawley & El Centro (CA) Seventh-day Adventist Church John R. Jones
Associate Professor of New Testament and World Religions, La Sierra University Steve Leddy
Lead Pastor, 24-Seven Ministry Center, Seattle, WA Harvey Elder
Professor of Medicine, Loma Linda University Lourdes Morales-Gudmundsson
Chair of World Languages Dept., La Sierra University James Walters
Professor of Religion, Loma Linda University School of Religion Ron Jolliffe
College Place, WA
Disclaimer
Endorsers have lent their support in their personal and individual capacities. They do not represent in any way the official position or endorsement of the institutions of their employment or affiliation.
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