A pamphlet set to be distributed by the California secretary of state warns voters that if they do not pass Proposition 8 in November to constitutionally define marriage between one man and one woman, thay will face an unexpected consequence: children as young as kindergarten will be subject to mandatory teaching on the virtues of homosexual marriage.

Opponents of Proposition 8 are calling the education argument a smokescreen, a scare tactic and a fabrication.

Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Kindergarten Cop"

Supporters, however, are saying it addresses a reality Californians will face if voters don't stand up and insist on a constitutional, traditional definition of marriage.

Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, told WND, "New California laws are pushing sex education further and further into younger grades, and school districts that provide sex education are mandated by law to teach children to honor marriage. Without Proposition 8 school children in the younger grades will definitely be taught to honor homosexual marriage between two men or two women as married role models."

Attorney Shannon Minter, who represented same-sex couples in the California Supreme Court case that struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, told the San Francisco Chronicle, "This is pure fabrication. They are trying to inflame people by making up these falsehoods about kids."

Jennifer Kerns, a spokesperson for a Proposition 8 support coalition called ProtectMarriage.com, however, pointed WND to the specific section of California law mandating instruction on marriage in schools.

"The California Education Code clearly states that schools would be required to provide instruction to children as young as kindergartners that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage," Kerns told WND. "The code specifically states that the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage must be taught."

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The voter guide, written by supporters and opponents of Proposition 8, citing arguments both for and against, will be printed and delivered to California residents' homes, barring any court ordered changes to the final wording, but is posted currently for public inspection before mailing.

The education argument, written by proponents of Proposition 8 in the official voter guide, states, "The narrow decision of the California Supreme Court isn't just about 'live and let live.' In health education classes, state law requires teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. … If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned TEACHERS WILL BE REQUIRED to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

"We should not accept a court decision that results in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn't be forced on us against our will" (all emphasis in the original).

The official rebuttal, published in the same voter guide, calls the education argument "scare tactics" and "a smokescreen," arguing that Proposition 8 doesn't have anything to do with education.

According to the Chronicle, opponents of Proposition 8 are now considering whether or not to sue over the issue, the only legal way an official ballot argument can be changed before an election.

As WND reported earlier, supporters of homosexual marriage had sued to block Proposition 8 from being on the ballot at all, but were defeated.

Proposition 8, if passed, would effectively overturn the May 15 California Supreme Court decision striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage by adding the words "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" to the state's constitution.

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