There have been columns and stories about the protest against those who contributed to the "Yes on 8" campaign. The theme of these articles and columns has been that these folks were contributing because of their personal beliefs. For some reason, the unspoken argument goes, that means that others may not criticize them, demonstrate against them, or boycott them.
This reminds me of a chat room in which I was participating over a decade ago on a local BBS in Los Angeles. The subject of religion came up and some fellow (a Roman Catholic, if memory serves) said that we had to respect his beliefs. I promptly countered that "we" did not have to do any such thing. The First Amendment does not guarantee that beliefs will be respected. The First Amendment guarantees one's right to have beliefs. I can respect the right to have beliefs but not, necessarily, the beliefs themselves.
The coverage of the Prop 8 ballot initiative is that the beliefs of the "Yes" crowd must be respected. That is a huge stretch in American law and culture.
The "Yes on 8" campaign was largely financed by the Mormon Church. Documents which have come to light since the election have shown that the campaign was managed by the main offices of the church in Salt Lake City. They were assisted by the Roman Catholic Church, apparently. The Mormon Church now hides behind the faces of its members who made individual contributions to the "Yes on 8" campaign. They argue it is their "right" to try to get their beliefs enshrined in the California Constitution.
The idea that religious beliefs should become part of the law of the land is an argument for theocracy. That is what is most troubling about the coverage of this issue. While the Amish argue that they should be left alone to practice their faith, they do not try to argue that others should be forced to follow Amish ways. Why should Mormons or Roman Catholics or any other group be different?
The coverage and columns on this issue have defaulted to the appropriateness of theocratic state government. That is a bad position in which to find oneself.