There are so many things on our President's plate right now that the issue of Gay Marriage seems to be taking a backseat to it all. But this is one issue that can be settled fairly and in a relatively quick manner if people would just take their emotion and personal preference out and objectively settle it.
Here is how it can be done:
First, take a second to remind ourselves that this country was built partially on the idea of separation of church and state. Therefore, any references to homosexuality in the Bible are irrelevant. Government should take their hands out of the church's decision to allow or not allow gay marriage. Do not impose any restrictions on the church nor require the church to make any particular decision other than what they see fit according to their doctrines.
So for instance, if a Christian denomination decides they will not recognize gay marriages, fine. If another decides they will and they are within the rules set forth by their particular denomination, fine. The government should have zero say in that matter. Then the members of those churches can decide for themselves if they choose to continue to participate in that church or not.
Then, the government can stick to the civil union component of gay unions as opposed to marriages. Whether one thinks homosexuality is "sick" and "disgusting" or "loving" and "beautiful" is once again irrelevant. In terms of government decisions, we need to think clearly, objectively and fairly and for what is best for the people of the country as a whole.
By allowing rights for committed, gay couples that are currently reserved for heterosexual, married couples, these couples can take care of one another in the loving manner they deserve as much as the rest of us. They will be able to insure one another, support each other when sick or in the hospital, legally assist one another and more. None of these rights would be taken from those of us that already have them.
After this has been done, the issue and debate will soon go away. We will quickly see how little things have changed. Straight couples will still divorce 50% of the time. Our kids will still want to have sex with the opposite sex as much as before. Teenage prenancies and STDs will still be an issue to deal with. It will still be just as easy to get married even if you are drunk and in Vegas. Marriages will still take place at churches. Parents will still be expected to dish out thousands of dollars on a one day ceremony. The wedding industry will not lose any money.
Before you know it, conservatives and liberals will be screaming at each other about something else just as ridiculously easy to solve objectively.
This isn't abortion people. It isn't a complicated issue where nobody wins. This is two people in a relationship. My failed marriage had everything to do with my relationship with my ex and nothing to do with the multiple gay couples I know. My successful current marriage has nothing to with the numerous straight couples we know and everything to do with the hard work we put into this marriage everyday to make it so.
But it won't happen. Hate mongering sensationalists on the right will throw a fit if anything happens in this direction. They will stand behind the Bible while ignoring the fact that they preach and scream power and greed which are condemned infinitely more times than homosexuality by the very book they stand behind as validation.
Just let the church take care of the hate, and the government can at least try to find an objective, middle ground.
Then I am willing to bet it will all go away in due time.
7 comments:
Wow! That's amazingly well said.
Proud of you, Beau.
Thoughtfully reasoned and beautifully stated, Beau - I don't care if it's called "marriage" - call it "Fred" if you want - but equal out the CIVIL benefits that have gone from privilege to entitlement for the worst of straight marriages. Then, the churches can figure out whether or not they bless/sanction such unions. It seems simple and objective to me, too!
As long as those civil unions are viewed as the same as marriage, this works. The problem is that civil unions don't typically carry as much weight as marriage. Also, it implies that a civil union is somehow less than marriage. I'd say we should take it one step further and either legalize gay MARRIAGE or make it all civil unions. I realize some of this is just semantics, but law is based on screwier things.
Also, abortion is just as simple. It's between a woman and her doctor (and possibly god). The government should stay out of it. Besides, what is the government going to do once abortion's illegal? Put all the women in jail? For how long?
I am trying to remain miderate here comoprozac. Trying to find a middle ground. In my heart I am with you. Even on the abortion thing although it is so hard for me to say that. I can see the other side of it. Who is protecting the baby?
Intersting how the facebook version of this discussion has gone in a way different direction.
Moderate? It's funny how the wingnuts have us believing that denying people basic rights is moderate. Moderate is that we allow people to marry whomever they want.
Baby? Fetus.
and therein lies the debate doesn't it? baby v. fetus. well, debate for some I suppose. your points hit home como.
Well said, it is that simple. Make them all civil unions. Those who choose to have a marriage ceremony, may refer to themselves as married. Churches can decide whether or not they want to marry people, as they already do with heterosexual couples, and the problem is solved.
Post a Comment