When it comes to gay marriage I have "no dog in this fight" (which in, and of itself, is a pretty disgusting cliche') other than the belief in freedom and equality.
I have heard so much rhetoric from both sides and so little willingness to see it objectively. As I can see most, if not all, of the objections to gay marriage is based on religious beliefs. I can understand that. Both the proponents and opponents of gay marriage cite the bible to support their views. I find religion to be completely immaterial in this question.
You see, there are two entirely separate components of marriage. One is religious and one is civil. I have no problem with religions and those who believe in those religions refusing to recognize gay marriage or have gay marriages performed in their church. That is part of religious freedom. The problem I have with religion and religious people is they are trying to enforce their own religious beliefs on the civil component of marriage. That is a violation of the separation of church and state and is the most underrated and one of the most important components of our constitution.
Religion should play no part whatsoever in the exercise of a person's civil rights. That is what the civil portion of marriage is. It is a civil right. It should not be impacted by anyone's religious beliefs who is not a part of the proposed marriage.
Civil marriage is no more than a legal contract between two people outlining the rights and responsibilities of each partner in a merger of two individuals into one. Legally speaking, of course. I see no constitutional basis to deny people of the same gender the same rights that are implicit in people of different genders.
Civil marriage is a legal contract between two people. Gender should not matter. Why should you deny two people of the same gender the right to totally screw up their lives when you allow people of different genders to do the same. Even the most religious should be able to see the difference in the two components of marriage.
Freedom of religion demands religious organizations can believe whatever they wish and gay marriage cannot be forced on them if it violates their beliefs. But, freedom FROM religion also demands other person's religious beliefs cannot be allowed to violate another person's civil rights.
That is the problem as I see it. Religious people who's religion does not accept the idea of gay marriage are trying to force their own religious beliefs on everyone by denying two people the right to enter into a civil contract of marriage. No matter what your religious beliefs say the civil side of marriage is the important one.
If you don't believe that just ask a divorce lawyer.
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have less and less patience for the whole debate. Arguing over this keeps Christians from dealing with what they really need to deal with… A. Their own marriages and B. Their unwillingness to love as Jesus loved. By focused on "them" being "allowed" to have "our" marriage rights, we hold them out as different, not like us, lower. It makes me sick and sad.