Just this morning...

Just this morning I was watching Good Morning America and I was really disapointed with the negative publicity that the California Miss America contestant was getting because she was standing up for what she believed in. For those who have not followed this issue, she was asked a question pertaining to Vermont passing a law that allowed gay marriages and if other states should follow suit. She proudly stated that she did not feel that it was appropriate, that marriage was designed for a man and woman. This has outraged many people who support gay rights.

I feel that regardless of what a person believes, we miss the beauty of being allowed to boldly state what we feel is right according to our first ammendment right of free speech. Some how "social conservatives" are often blasted for having bias and intolerant beliefs. Many people who do this are not open to hearing what this group truly believe in are just as close-minded. I think that we MUST be willing to stand up for what we believe in, regardless of which side we fall.

We live in a society when all people are not going to stand on the same beliefts, values and morals. However, we must agree to disagree. The gay judge that asked this young woman this question must remember that she has the right to say she does not feel that gay marriages should be legal just as much as he has the right to think they are. The difference is, she kindly and honestly spoke the truth; he is blasting her values on his blog and national television for all to see. We must show love and kindness people! We're not all going to feel the same way about things people and it's OK!

**I hope to not put many of these kind of issues on my blog. However, this has weighed heavily on my heart and mind today. I am proud of this young woman who was placed in such a difficult place. She was willing to say the truth in her heart and give up something she had worked so hard for by doing so. Not many people would have done that. We must teach our youth to stand on what they think is right and to lead them in a way that is going to show love, compassion and encouragement to those around them.