In diverse land, a narrow-minded vote

By Jeffrey Schulz

Nothing could better illustrate the deplorable condition of the California education system than the continuing furor over Proposition 8.

How else can a reasonable person explain the fact that, in the most ethnically and culturally diverse state in the country, the very diversity of which implies a wide range of belief systems, an amazing number of people don’t understand that their right to their particular beliefs is precisely what the Constitution exists to protect?

Over the last 300 years or so, people from all over the world have come to America generally, and California in particular, seeking opportunity and freedom from discrimination if not outright persecution.

Like the original Pilgrims, people of the Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim and Taoist persuasions — not to mention aboriginal faiths too numerous and esoteric to mention — have all at various times sought the protection of a constitutional government that distinguishes between beliefs and the right to hold those beliefs.

Never mind that all those belief systems disagree with one another — that’s a given. No one is likely to be shocked to find out that only Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah, or that Hindus believe in many divinities or that Buddhists don’t believe in any.

Nor is anyone likely to be shocked to discover that there is enormous disagreement among sects and sub-sects within the same faith.  While it may not be a popular topic at the dinner table, everyone is aware that something other than architecture distinguishes a Roman Catholic Church and a Mormon Temple.

The question that such diversity raises is, how are all these people supposed to live in anything like harmony except by virtue of a system that prevents any one group from imposing its beliefs on all of the others?

Or, put another way, in what precisely does the promise of America consist if not this constitutional protection?

Be that as it may, speaking of the Roman Catholic Church enables me to put the tire back on the road by way of an example. Considering the growing influence of the Hispanic community in California, it is not inconceivable that at some point in the near future it may comprise a voting majority.

Inasmuch as the Hispanic community is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, when that time comes it will be a matter of doctrine that marriage can only take place between a man and a woman who have not previously been married.

Will the people have spoken if they succeed in amending the state constitution to that effect?

I think we all need to pray on this matter — or should we chant? Before we do, however, we need to face the fact that, while everyone who voted for Proposition 8 may have succeeded within the narrow confines of their particular belief system, they have failed utterly as Americans. While we’re at it, unfortunately, we also have to admit that they can plead ignorance.

Shame on everyone.  If this is what the founding fathers had intended America would now be a nation of Puritans and we would all be eking it out in our own private Somalias — or not. How did we fail to teach that?

(Schulz lives in Napa.)

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