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Can a simple majority strip fundamental rights from"disfavored" groups?
Americans United, Allied Groups Ask Calif. Supreme Court To Nullify Proposition 8
"The brief asserts that minority rights cannot be subjected to a vote via the referendum process. Under the terms of the California Constitution, fundamental changes to the state’s governing document may be made only through a deliberative process that begins in the legislature. Because Prop. 8 undercuts the Constitution's mandate of equal rights for all, it effects a radical revision that cannot be made through a simple referendum.The brief observes, “If Proposition 8 can strip fundamental rights from gay and lesbian people by a 52 percent majority, future amendments can strip away fundamental rights from other disfavored groups based on race, national origin, gender or religion.”
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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And there's no sense crying over every mistake
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake.
It does my heart good to see religious groups stand up for separation of church and state.
magus, I guess all Christians aren't created equal, and thank God, we are not all theocrats! ;-)
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And there's no sense crying over every mistake
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake.
Attitudes, indeed, can change. In the early days of Christianity, Saul was one of the biggest persecutors of new Christians (along with the Roman state). It wasn't until God tapped him on the shoulder and asked "Saul, why do you persecute me?' that he got the message. Saul became Paul, and from then on was one of the biggest Christian supporters (even standing up to Simon Peter, who wanted Chriatianity reserved for Jews). Paul said the religion should be open to both Jews and gentiles.
The moral here is, hopefully, people's attitudes need not be set in stone, and can be changed (even though God no longer makes a habit of tapping people on the shoulder).
Well said.