Letter to the Editor About Anti-religious Bigotry by Prop. 8 Opponents

The aftermath of the passage of Proposition 8 has revealed that among the opponents of that initiative are anti-religious bigots who have no regard for the democratic process.

Thousands of opponents of Prop. 8 have shown themselves to be the political equivalent of thuggish sports fans who, when their team loses the game, proceed to beat up the opposing team. Except that Prop. 8 opponents lack the courage to take on everyone (including the 70% of black voters and 53% of Latino voters) who voted to preserve natural marriage, so they have focused their attacks upon those whose religious beliefs they despise. Their tantrums have not been limited to marching in the streets. They have also resorted to vandalizing and impeding access to places of worship. Via the Internet they have openly advocated physical violence against religious worshipers.

A bigot is defined as one who treats others with hatred and intolerance because they are members of a group (e.g., racial or religious) or because they hold an opposing opinion. The bigotry of Prop. 8 opponents is demonstrated by their hateful attacks upon groups of people whose sincerely held religious beliefs differ from their own. They intolerantly revile all Prop. 8 supporters as bigots and refuse to acknowledge that they are motivated by legitimate concerns over the harm – to society in general and to children in particular – that will flow from legally redefining marriage to include same-sex couples.

Everyone who values our constitutional system of deciding important social issues by the democratic process should be alarmed by a radical minority that will not hesitate to force its views upon the majority through violence and intimidation.

(Sent to a local newspaper but not published)