Merry Christmas, Jerry Brown

The big news today is that Rick Warren was invited to the inauguration, to shed a little holiness on DC and to balance out the marching heathens who will also be in town. Many Obama supporters aren't particularly pleased with Warren officating at the ceremony, present company included. But we must keep in mind that His Holiness Reverend Warren has nothing against gay people. He loves them so much, he gives water and doughnuts to gay marriage supporters. Praise the lard!

In more California-centric news, we are bracing to hear from a less holy but equally controversial figure tomorrow regarding the California Supreme Court's upcoming hearing on the constitutionality of Proposition 8. Jerry Brown, California's Attorney General, will reveal his official position on proposition 8. Although he has opposed the prop before the election, he is duty-bound to argue based on whether or not it is a big enough change to the state constitution to count as a "revision". In Obamathon Man's not-so-humble opinion, he would still be correct in arguing against the proposition, since not doing so would set a precedent for discriminatory constitutional measures. However, Obamathon Man is not exactly a great legal scholar since he plays by his own rules.

Of course, this is a sensitive issue for both sides - no, not those sides. What I find most interesting about the aftermath of prop 8 is the ensuing war for the sympathy of the public. The anti-gay marriage side's primary tactic is to make themselves seem even more discriminated against than the pro marriage side, both during and after the campaign. While I may not agree with their methods, I deeply respect their desire to do good. However, the reason why dealing with religious discrimination is so very difficult is that the most faithful believe that their faith is never wrong. Thus, whatever can be shown to them as their true religion is no longer subject to earthly reasoning or laws. What this means is, if God's will is discriminatory, the faithful will follow it anyway. Try to stop them, and you are discriminating against religion. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't, as it were.

Religious freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. But just as with freedom of speech, there are limits to freedom of religion. When religious doctrine becomes destructive of the rights of others, it no longer deserves protection from the law, or sympathy from the general public. I really hope the righteous, like those of Warren's flock, will allow gays the dignity to choose their own courses of action. Other peoples' actions will have no effect on whether or not you get salvation. That's between you and God. And God, if you're reading this blog, I hope you can coax Jerry Brown into seeing Prop 8 for what it is, a revision of the California constitution. Oh, and Merry Christmas to everyone, even Rick Warren.