Gay Marriage Opponents "Thank" Obama

(CBS)  Those campaigning in California for Proposition 8, which would reinstate the ban on gay marriage, believe they'll get a lot of unintended help from Barack Obama on Election Day, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

"We thank Barack Obama, even though he's not supporting it, for helping us," says Sonja Eddings Brown, of an anti-gay-marriage group called Protect Marriage. "We think it's going to push us over the top."

Obama is expected to bring African-American voters out in record numbers, and those voters are seen as often being more conservative on issues involving homosexuality.

Pastor Edward Smith of Zoe Christian Fellowship has been urging members of his Los Angeles area church to vote for the gay marriage ban.

"Marriage has always been defined as a man and a woman," Smith says.

For Smith, it's the most significant item on the November ballot.

"This issue is more important than who becomes president of our states to me and to our Christian believers," he says.

But many African-American supporters of gay marriage see it as a civil rights issue, with gays fighting familiar battles, Blackstone reports.

"We were denied the right to marry a person of another race," says Alice A. Huffman, president of the California chapter of the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People. "Any time government intervenes and tells you what you can or can't do, it's a denial of your rights."

The California NAACP is trying to mobilize voters against the gay marriage ban, but at a meeting this past week showed, it's not an easy sell.

"If you believe in God and the Bible, how do you reconcile same gender marriages with Genesis 1:27 and 28?" asked one Obama supporter who is still undecided on the gay marriage ban. The Bible verse referenced is a commandment that called on the first man and woman to "be fruitful" and multiply.

While Obama himself does not support gay marriage, he says California's law allowing it should be left as it is. That has left some of his supporters facing a dilemma on Election Day.

"I don't have a problem with civil unions, but when it comes to marriage, and the holy sanctity of marriage, that's where I'm conflicted," says Jacquelynn Hawthorne, an Obama supporter.

That inner turmoil makes her an undecided voter on the gay marriage ban, Blackstone reports. And although the ban seems to be losing in the polls right now, those voters could make all the difference.

[bell02alpha]

I am Catholic, African American, and Straight, and to me this seems a little too much a reminder of "Separate but Equal" than I feel comfortable with. I really hope this falls and never comes back up again. Just listening to the pro-commercial sounds like hate speech to me. Hopefully others see this that way as well, such that we can treat all of God''s children with dignity and respect!

[squeakof2006]

Reading through some of the earlier posts, it becomes clear that some non-Christians can be even more closed minded than they accuse the Christians of being. Yes, we need alternative fuels, we need to protect the environment. I''m not the only Christian to feel this way. I''m also not the only Christian to believe these things and STILL want to ban gay marriage and abortion. And while we''re burning religious books, can we also burn the Koran? Ah, now we''re ticking people off.

[squeakof2006]

A true Christian hates the act while loving the person. That''s something many don''t seem to get. I don''t favor homosexuality. I think it''s wrong. If I lived in CA, my vote would be all for the ban. At the same time, I don''t hate the person. I just disagree with the lifestyle and would choose to vote against it. As a true Christian would.

[cldick]

seriously, that "be fruitful and multiply" thing was an instruction to adam and eve, not to every *** person ever to live. there are too many people now, so i had a vasectomy. guys, if you want to mess around and not have to pay child support for 18 years, a vasectomy is the way to go! not that i mess around. on the contrary, i''m very loyal to my wife. i got fixed before we met. but i digress.

yeah, marriage should be available to everyone. it''s a no-brainer. two dudes marrying each other doesn''t effect my marriage one bit. i don''t know what people are getting all upset about. they just want to stick their noses in everyones business. let''s just live and let live, okay?

[lavonne22]

not everyone has the same belief systems people.. a true christian would accept people for who and how they are.. *** cant help who they are attracted to same as normal women and men... who are attracted to each other.. its an instinct you cant control.. its attraction not a CHOICE!! hello.. and everyone should be equal whether your black, white, asian, gay, etc.. if you were a man wanting to marry a women but the law prohibited it.. wouldnt you be pissed and sad and disappointed at the same time? just because you have a different sexual prefence doesnt mean that the law should hold you to your right.. if men and women are uncomfortable about it.. then mind your own business much as the whole United States should.. were getting to involved with peoples personal interests and preferences... so give people a chance.. dont be sooo judgemental about everything.. what would the world be if it was full of normal people anyway?... pretty much boring!

[timster_2008]

I am certain you can be homosexual and christian at the same time

[vista8635]

The sad truth is that some blacks are jealous of successful homosexuals. It is status problem; they believe they homosexuality is a sin, and abomination. So it makes their blood boil to see homosexuals who are more financially or socially secure than they are. They arrogantly think: %u201CI am better than that ****, so why is he living the good life, while I%u2019m living paycheck to paycheck? How can he have a Lexus, when I can only afford a civic? That is not right.%u201D

The worst anti-gay people tend to be straight up losers: ne''er-do-wells, miscreants, or convicts.

They do not realize that being gay is sort of like being left-handed. Homosexuals can be from wealthy families or poor families. They can be liberal or conservative. Some homosexuals procreate, and want raise children; some do not.

[paul163445]

It Looks like your boy Obama sold you g.ays out.
He''s nothing but a trick. Now he''s pandering the Christian community.
We saw Hillary do it with the southern blacks. She even threw in the accent.
You wont see Obama with hands on hips trying to get the g.ay vote.
He''d rather convert to Christianity and IGNORE the g.ay community.
Like I said before, he doesn''t know what he stands for...Maybe whatever''s popular at the moment. It looks like he''s more like a follower than a leader.

Barack Obama has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A

[paul163445]

CMUhes, What are you looking for...a g.ay thumbs up to your post?
Go to sfgate, I''m sure you''ll get one there.
If your lucky, maybe you''ll get more than a thumb.

[paul163445]

Ah, the greater good. Your little mythical friend is the punk.

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Mythical? Keyword your browser "Sam Kinison part five".