I believe in God, a Great Spirit, a Higher Power.  I don't claim to understand the exact nature of this Force, and don't really need to; in the words of songwriter Iris DeMent, I'm content to just "let the mystery be."  The only thing of which I feel relatively certain is that there is much more going on here than atoms whirling in a void.
         Some people appear to need a theory or belief system that explains everything and provides all the answers.  When I meet such folks, I sometimes find myself praying silently:  "Lord, help me seek the truth, and please spare me the company of those who have found it."
         A little humility is a crucial component of the humane soul.  Countless atrocities are perpetrated by those possessed of the truth, who seek to impose their vision on the world.  Recognizing that we may sometimes be wrong can prevent much violence and repression of others.
         "Freedom" is a core value of our society.  Of course, freedom has limits--I am not free to harm or endanger others by (for example) driving while hammered on alcohol.  We have laws to define the limits of freedom.
         If our behavior does no tangible harm to the earth or anyone else, I think we
should be free to live as we please.  Recent years have seen a sustained push by well-organized groups of truth-possessed people to "legislate morality."  I often find these efforts themselves morally repugnant, because they attempt to suppress freedom simply because some people wish to dictate how others will live.
         California law does not currently recognize marriages between individuals of the same sex.  This will not change when Proposition 22 fails, but Proposition 22 attempts to fix this into stone and thereby prevent same-sex marriages from ever being recognized in the future.
         In the statewide voter pamphlet, there's an enlightening paragraph in the argument for Proposition 22, which I'll quote here fully:
         "My family taught me to respect other people's freedoms.  Everyone should.  But that's a two way street.  If people want me to respect their opinions and lifestyles, then they should grant me the same courtesy by respecting MY beliefs.  And I believe that marriage should stay the way it is."
         Consider the logic embedded here:  We should respect each other's freedoms.  Therefore you should respect my beliefs.  I believe you should live a certain way.  Therefore you should live as I say.
         You can justify a lot of violence and repression with twisted logic like that.
         The high rate of divorce is discouraging.  We need to support people who maintain committed relationships.  Two of the happiest and most stable long-term couples I know are lesbian.  I look forward to the day when our society is decent enough to recognize them for what they are:  married.
         What threatens marriage today is not homosexual couples making lifetime
committments, but rather the insane materialism and pace of modern life, which leaves us so bereft of time and energy that we have nothing left for the work of nurturing long-term relationships.  I'd like to see the self-appointed protectors of marriage address issues like that, if they aren't already.
         I agree with the bumper sticker that says "Hate Is Not a Family Value."   Let's begin the new millenium with tolerance and humility, rather than hate and fear.  Vote NO on Proposition 22.