Wednesday, May 27, 2009

“You Don’t Have to Yell” by Chris Rice

I happily stumbled upon this song, “You Don’t Have to Yell,” while listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Radio mixed with a bit of Jon Schmidt on Pandora.  I love it.  This guy, Chris Rice, has a soothing, mellow voice and blends those excellent vocals with wonderful, timely messages.


A message for those who yearn to see traditional marriage safely and permanently elevated for the sake of children and society.*  We can do this quietly, respectfully, and firmly – without contention:

“Draw your lines and choose your side
  Many things are worth the fight
  But louder doesn't make you right
  You don't have to yell
  You don't have to yell”

It is my belief that such level-headed reasoning will some day prove victorious.  Thanks to Chris Rice for lending his beautiful talent to such a beautiful message of peace.

~Pearl

*This is purely my personal application and interpretation of the message of the song.  I do not know where Chris Rice “draws his lines.”

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

California Supreme Court Upholds Proposition 8


california supreme court
This morning the Supreme Court of California ruled 6-1 in favor of Proposition 8.  I am immensely relieved that this state’s judiciary was inspired to reaffirm the right of the people of California to amend our own Constitution as we see fit.  I am relieved that my Nov. 4th vote didn’t come to naught.  I am relieved that, at least for a time, marriage is as it should be in the great state of California.

Democracy has ruled the day here in The Golden State.

As per the 18,000 homosexual “marriages” performed between last year’s judicial ruling against Prop 22 and the November 4th vote approving Prop 8, they will remain valid.  I will be curious to learn how that is justified.

~Pearl

Monday, May 25, 2009

Mormons and Proposition 8: A PBS Episode


PBS_logo
On May 22, 2009, PBS, at Religion and Ethics News Weekly, released a segment about Mormons and Proposition 8.  A timely subject considering the impending Supreme Court decision.  The twist, however, is that the Mormons interviewed are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who consider themselves active, but disagree with the Church on the matter of same-sex “marriage.”  I didn’t actually watch the video, but I read through the entire transcript and was quite astonished at a certain number of the members' opinions.  I wrote my thoughts into a comment, but since they are moderated I am not sure if it will be posted.  (I promise I didn’t use any foul language or get mean or anything).  :0)

Because I feel passionately about this particular subject, I’ve decided to give voice to my opinions here as well.  The following are some of the thoughts shared by interviewed members of the Church that I happen to strongly disagree with.  I can imagine that some of what I say here might raise the eyebrows of those not familiar with the finer tenets of my faith, but, as always, I hope that mutual respect and tolerance will dictate the tone of any discussion that may ensue.

That said, let’s begin.

“Dr. CHAN: Our church is the church of Jesus Christ, first and foremost, and my understanding of the Gospel of Christ is that it’s a Gospel of love and acceptance. So it seems like a policy that’s about discrimination, which often goes hand in hand with fear and hatred, not about love and acceptance, and that for me is really troublesome.”

I believe* that members of the LDS Church who are okay with homosexual "marriage" do not actually understand the eternal nature of marriage and family.  They do not understand the Lord's gospel as He has delivered it to us through ancient and modern-day Prophets.  Why would any active member of the Church ever vote for or promote a measure that would encourage any of God's children to abandon the ONE UNION that can offer them exaltation and life with their Father again?  According to our religious beliefs, celestial marriage, between one man and one woman, is essential to achieving the Celestial Kingdom and becoming Gods and Goddesses like our Heavenly Parents.

“The subject of marriage is debated across the world, where various arrangements exist for conjugal living. My purpose in speaking out on this topic is to declare, as an Apostle of the Lord, that marriage between a man and a woman is sacred—it is ordained of God.  I also assert the virtue of a temple marriage. It is the highest and most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to His children.

While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. Only those who are married in the temple and whose marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will continue as spouses after death and receive the highest degree of celestial glory, or exaltation. A temple marriage is also called a celestial marriage. Within the celestial glory are three levels. To obtain the highest, a husband and wife must be sealed for time and all eternity and keep their covenants made in a holy temple.”

. . .

“We, as the Lord’s prophets and apostles, again proclaim to the world that ‘the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.’

We further proclaim that ‘all human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.’”

. . .

“That proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship.  The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally.

. . .

These truths are absolute. Members of this Church invite all people to learn them and to qualify for eternal life.  We invite all to gain faith in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, to repent, to receive the Holy Ghost, to obtain the blessings of the temple, to make and keep sacred covenants, and to endure to the end.” [emphasis added]

[Celestial Marriage, Elder Russell M. Nelson, Nov. 2008]

So while these active members of the Church are promoting a belief that is directly contrary to the Lord's commandments as revealed through His Prophets and through "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," in truth, they are further facilitating and solidifying the sub-celestial or ignoble eternal existence of those who suffer from same-sex attractions.  And this they are doing in the name of love and acceptance. 

“Ms. COMPTON: This has not challenged my faith, no. My faith is independent of the morality or the politics of gay marriage. It’s deeper. My faith is in a Christ who loves everybody and wants everyone to come to him, and a God that loves the world no matter whether they are Mormon or Muslim or Jewish or Catholic, and wants all of us to be there and all of us to treat each other like we’re brothers and sisters and not like we’re them and us.”

Yes, Ms. Compton, Christ does want "everyone to come to him," but how can they when you and others are facilitating and promoting a union that, by it's very opposite-sex omission, actually takes them farther away from our Heavenly Father and our Savior?

“Ms. FAHEY: I even had some friends say that they still think that homosexuality is a choice. I don’t think the church leadership feels that way but members — some members feel that way, wrongly of course.”

To Ms. Fahey, who has decided that all those who believe homosexuality is a choice are wrong, I would suggest she read the latest statement from the APA on the nature of homosexual origins.  No one can prove what causes homosexuality, though theories abound.  Some say nature, some say nurture, and some say both.  I believe the last, but my opinion cannot be proved as is the case with the other two opinions as well.  That debate is beside the point, though, as is so well-expressed by Elder Oaks and Elder Wickman in the quoted interview excerpt following the APA’s statement below.

From the APA:

"There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles...."

That contrasts with the APA's statement in 1998: "There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality."

[Source: A Guy in the Window]

And from the LDS Church:

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: You’re saying the Church doesn’t necessarily have a position on ‘nurture or nature’

ELDER OAKS: That’s where our doctrine comes into play. The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction. Those are scientific questions — whether nature or nurture — those are things the Church doesn’t have a position on.

ELDER WICKMAN: Whether it is nature or nurture really begs the important question, and a preoccupation with nature or nurture can, it seems to me, lead someone astray from the principles that Elder Oaks has been describing here. Why somebody has a same-gender attraction… who can say? But what matters is the fact that we know we can control how we behave, and it is behavior which is important.

[Same-gender Attraction, LDS Newsroom]

Curious that the APA is backpedaling now, when liberal thought and homosexual marriage activists will spit upon them and sneer at them for it.  I’d like to know the events and discoveries that led up to that statement.

SEVERSON: As other states take up the issue of gay marriage, Mormon church leaders this time around have not asked members to get involved. Meanwhile, the California Supreme Court is once again considering the constitutionality of the ban on gay marriage. Their decision is expected soon.”

Severson, it is possible that Church leaders haven't asked members to get involved in other states because voters haven’t been given the chance to get directly involved in other states!  It just so happens that California is the ONLY state in which the issue of same-sex "marriage" was put to a vote by the people.  In all other states where it has been legalized, it has been pushed through by judicial fiat and sly legislatures meeting on the fly and giving little or no advanced notification to the people that the legislation was even being discussed.  It's amazing what Tim Gill's money can buy.  Amazing.

~Pearl

*All opinions expressed are my own.  Doctrinal misinterpretations (if there are any), are my own and should not reflect poorly on the LDS Church.  For official doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit LDS.org.

Friday, May 22, 2009

California Supreme Court to Issue Prop 8 Opinions Next Week

According to the California court info website, the Supreme Court will “issue an opinion in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.”

Given that this final weekend before their decision just happens to be Memorial Day weekend, celebrating our country’s fallen heroes who died defending our Constitutional freedoms such as the Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Speech, let’s hope that our esteemed Supreme Court Justices take time to reflect on the real-life threat that legalization of homosexual “marriage” poses to said freedoms.

Here’s to praying for the Court, the children, the future, and the future children of America.

Anxiously awaiting,
~Pearl

Thursday, May 21, 2009

NOM and CPR Action Present: “I’m Confused” – A Pro-Traditional Marriage Video Featuring Children of the Homosexual “Marriage” Future.



This excellent sub-40 second commercial clip does an amazing job of bringing the entire marriage debate right back where it belongs – with the children.

Government regulates marriage for the benefit of society; to ensure the best possible emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual outcome for the potential posterity of the marital union. It doesn't matter that that union may be sterile or that it may end up in divorce. Just because the human execution is malfunctioning (sterility) or flawed (divorce) or even broken (abuse), does not make the divine institution flawed. Marriage is what it is and those who pretend otherwise are endangering not only themselves by exposing their tender feelings to more disappointment (marriage appropriation will not yield the acceptance they so yearn for), but our country's innocent future as well - the children.

~Pearl

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

True Gender Equality

Gender Inequality NotEqual

“Marriage between one man and one woman is the ultimate expression of equality as no gender is marginalized.”

This is a thought I have recently adopted (and do eagerly disseminate) that was coined by my very good friend Pomegranate Apple (also writing now at Beetle Blogger).  Ponder it.  It is very profound.

Radical feminists would have us believe that the only way for women to achieve equality is to marginalize men.  Some have even gone so far as to propagate the sentiment that true equality can only come as women embrace their supposed “inner lesbian” and categorically deny any need for the male gender.

  • "Feminism is the theory, lesbianism is the practice." -- Ti-Grace Atkinson
  • "The simple fact is that every woman must be willing to be identified as a lesbian to be fully feminist" (National NOW Times, January, 1988).
  • [Lesbianism is] an ideological, political and philosophical means of liberation of all women from heterosexual tyranny... " -- Cheryl Clarke, "Lesbianism, An Act of Resistance," in This Bridge Called My Back: Writing by Radical Women of Color
    (Source: Opine Editorials)

When approached thoughtfully, this quite easily becomes transparently illogical.  How can we ever be equal to those we’re attempting to rise above?  Yes, it’s great that women can vote, own property, and wear pants.  Fantastic, actually.  But, demanding that women can (and should) do all that men do, actually denies the unique nature and contribution of man and instead sets woman at a contrived advantage by the forced combination of her innate, feminine characteristics and her socially-driven, male character acquisitions.

Radical Feminism = woman on a pedestal; man subservient.  Does that seem like equality to you?

Male chauvinism, on the other hand, demands the exact opposite.  Instead of recognizing and appreciating the unique abilities and contributions of women, machismo demands that women walk behind men, serve men, and eternally submit to men.

Male Chauvinism = man on a pedestal; woman subservient.  Still not equal.

Not surprisingly, the only situation in which true gender equality can be achieved is marriage between one man and one woman, where cohabitation, daily interaction, respect for marital vows (life-long commitment), and the mutual care of physical, spiritual, and family assets (aka children) demands a cooperation the likes of which cannot and will not be required in any other situation.  Successful marriage relies heavily upon the equal contribution of both sexes.  Women and men balance each other perfectly: testosterone to estrogen, physical strength to spiritual strength, adoration to admiration, justice to mercy.  Where one is lacking, the other steps up.  Where one excels, the other observes, learns, and grows.

In parenting, the same applies.  Children need the influence of a father and a mother, as both contribute different yet vitally essential lessons to developing minors.  Two lesbian partners cannot possibly provide the necessary contributions of the male gender as they do not posses the inherent male characteristics and abilities with which to deliver such lessons.  Textbooks, research, and education can only take one so far.  It is strictly in hindsight that an individual recognizes which lessons were most vital to his development, so it is logical to conclude that a teenager will not, in the midst of his character development, approach his two “mommies” and say, “I really need you to teach me, by example, how a man should treat a woman.”  That is a lesson that a good father will teach his son unconsciously as he goes about the course of his days interacting respectfully with his son’s mother.  For a lesbian mommy to teach the same lesson unconsciously, she would have to abandon her femininity in favor of masculinity, effectively illustrating the unique importance of a male role model in the home through imitation of male behavior.  Additionally, for mommies to try to teach the same lesson consciously would very simply be less effective as it has been proven that children learn more by the example of those in primary proximity than they do by lecture from the same.  Think, “Do as I do; not as I say.”

Homosexual marriage/parenting/relationships = marginalization (sometimes even derision) of opposite gender = two left feet = unnatural imbalance = discord, anxiety, depression, confusion, dissatisfaction.  Definite inequality here.

More examples of essential lessons taught by the unique presence of an opposite-sex parent in the home:

- A little girl learns from her daddy (through observation) what to look for in a future spouse.
- Children learn to nurture and serve others by watching an inherently sensitive mother do just that.
- Kids know their own strength and its appropriate use through roughhousing with dad.

Incidentally, it is extremely interesting to note that more often than not, one individual in a homosexual partnership will take on the role of male (dominant, commanding, and butch) while the other adopts the role of female (emotional, meek, and effeminate) in an attempt to imitate and recapture nature where the natural has ceased to exist.  And still more desperate attempts for the unnatural to imitate the natural include increasingly convoluted, gender-confusing actions and behaviors such as estrogen/testosterone injections, sex changes, and transvestite fetishism.  On a greater level, this desperate imitation can be interpreted as lending profound importance to the institution of marriage as homosexuals demand the acquisition and redefinition of a uniquely heterosexual union which currently provides a protected platform for the essential blending of opposite genders and, therefore, healthy continuation of society.

Marriage between one man and one woman = true gender equality = balance = peace.  Who wouldn’t want that?

Please note that bringing up skyrocketing divorce rates and spousal abuse does not provide a logical basis for abandoning the singular encouragement of the heterosexual marital ideal.  It merely points out a problem with the humans involved in the institution, not the institution itself.  And there are many ways to deal with such problems (counseling, elimination of no-fault divorce, beheading . . . just kidding) that do not include devaluation through redefinition.

~Pearl

Saturday, May 16, 2009

What Has Happened to Public School?

harvey milk day
With Harvey Milk Day sitting on the Governor’s desk and Alameda School District attempting to introduce homosexual acceptance education in kindergarten curriculum, I am left breathlessly wondering, “WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL?!”

(And I’m sure I am not the first person to so lament.)

Take a look at this . . . .

2009 Official California Public School Event Calendar

Race recognition in our schools:

January 19 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 20 – Frederick Douglass Day
March 5 – Black American Day
March 21 – International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
June 11 – Race Unity Day
September 25 – Native American Day
February – National African American History Month
May – National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
September – National Hispanic Heritage Month 
October – Filipino American History Month
November – National American Indian Heritage Month

Environmentalism in our schools:

March 7 – California Conservation, Bird, and Arbor Day
April 12-18 – National Environmental Education Week
April 21 – John Muir Day
April 22 – Earth Day
May 3-9 – Be Kind to Animals Week
June 5 – World Environment Day 

Women’s rights in our schools:

February 15 – Susan B. Anthony Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
March – National Women’s History Month

Other Days of Note:

March 31 – Cesar Chavez Day
April 1-7 – Labor History Week

(source)

Don’t get me wrong, nothing is inherently wrong with childhood awareness of each of these, but my goodness, what happened to the good old days of simple public instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic?  Why are parents being steadily denied the opportunity to teach their children the essential moral lessons of all time?  To honor women in a manner deemed appropriate by them whether that includes traditional roles or not?  To teach about civil rights without mandatory instruction of newly contrived “rights”?  To present the Constitution as our Founding Fathers designed it?  To teach respect for the earth with whatever level of enthusiasm they wish to instill?  To impart that true tolerance demands only respect for differences, not acceptance of them?  What gives government the right to decide that parents are performing inadequately simply because children’s opinions do not align with those of popular culture, Hollywood, and Liberalism?

I think David Kupelian, author of The Marketing of Evil, hit the nail square on the head when he said:

“Today’s culture is so poisonous that your only hope is to literally create (or plug into) another culture entirely – a subculture.  Just as today’s homosexual culture, for example, used to be a miserable subculture lurking in public toilets and seedy clubs, but today has become the sophisticated culture of the “beautiful people” and Hollywood, so must your true American culture – if it’s ever to come back – begin again as a subculture.

The best solution I know of for accomplishing this is to homeschool your children and network with other like-minded parents in your area.  Trust me, it’s already being done, you’re not reinventing the wheel.  Sports, music, drama, Scouts, 4-H, whatever extracurricular activities you want are all available to homeschoolers.  You can literally pick and choose the culture in which your children grow up, and you can actively participate in its creation.  I believe homeschooling today represents the single most important and promising avenue for the true rebirth of American Judeo-Christian culture.  The real America is now being reborn in families where children are raised with real understanding and insight and protected from the insanity of the popular culture until they’re big enough and strong enough in their convictions to go out in the world and make their mark.  May it only grow.”

He later goes on to say:

“Of course, the main factor keeping most American children in government schools is that they’re free.   So isn’t free schooling a good thing?  Sure.  Free food is great too, but not if it’s been poisoned.

The government’s schools are free in the same way everything else the government does is free – you’re forced to pay for it with your hard-earned taxes or you go to prison.  Still, it costs a lot to raise kids these days, and if you’ve had thousands of dollars extracted from you in taxes to pay for these schools, shouldn’t you get your money’s worth by sending your children there – for “free”?  Although that’s a powerful magnet, there’s also a hidden cost, as John Taylor Gatto points out.

Beyond all the other reasons it might be unwise to entrust your children to the government, Gatto points to one more, which he considers the core problem.  When all is said and done, he doesn’t dwell on the grotesque psychological experiments and failed pedagogic approaches, and school crime sprees that steal headlines.  Rather, Gatto points to the subtle, soul-killing power of forced government schooling, the devastating effect on each child’s not-so-hidden genius of sitting at a desk in a classroom all day for one’s entire youth.”

. . .

“The net effect of holding children in confinement for twelve years without honor paid to the spirit is a compelling demonstration that the State considers the Western spiritual tradition dangerous.  And of course it is.

The bottom line, says Gatto:

Spiritually contented people are dangerous for a variety of reasons.  They don’t make reliable servants because they won’t jump at every command.  They test what is requested against a code of moral principle.  Those who are spiritually secure can’t easily be driven to sacrifice family relations.

Please understand.  The people responsible for this disaster – both then and now – are not deliberately trying to hurt children.  They are people who fervently believe, with a religious zeal, in a radically different world view than the one in which most Americans believe – indeed, radically different from the one on which this nation was founded.”

What is the moral of this story?

If you choose to enroll your children in public school education, don’t do it blindly.  Don’t do it with a singular anticipation of the hours of free time it will afford you.  Know what you’re up against.  Stay involved.  Be prepared to address any negative education from teachers and peers that your children may receive throughout the course of each 7-hour day.  After extracurricular activities, you will most likely only have about three hours before bedtime in which to do damage control.

If you have a desire to homeschool, but don’t know where to start, just get researching.  Yes, there is so much information out there that it is easy to get overwhelmed and give up.  Just don’t.  Empower yourself through education.  Know your rights as a parent.  Don’t get stressed out.  You can do it.

Here’s to homeschooling and safeguarding the next generation!

~Pearl

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sex Instruction Book Aimed at Toddlers

Where did i really come from
“A BOOK which teaches children about lesbian mums getting pregnant using sperm donors is being pitched at kids as young as two.
The controversial publication, Where Did I Really Come From?, also features a drawing of two gay men holding a baby in a chapter about surrogacy.
The publisher's marketing spruiks the book, which includes in-depth descriptions of sexual intercourse, as suitable to be read to two-year-olds."
This shouldn’t even need any commentary, but I’ll forge ahead just in case you missed the obvious. “IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTIONS OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE” and it’s supposedly suitable for two-year-olds?! Under the guise of teaching about our origins, which, when it comes right down to it includes, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, one man’s contribution and one woman’s contribution, this author believes that she is well within “the appropriate.”
Author Narelle Wickham defended the book, describing it as a mainstream publication which just went further about ways of conceiving children.
"It is just trying to normalise to children that there are many ways to conceive a child," she said.
Ah, okay, that makes it all better. Don’t worry, folks, she’s just trying to “normalise” sex for toddlers. Lovely. What do you think? Yea or Nay?

[Read entire article here]

~Pearl

Friday, May 1, 2009

How Can I Find Happiness? A Message of Hope.



~Pearl

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