Ebrooks2000's Weblog

A friend of mine on Facebook has been posting links to articles/blog posts lately about gay marriage. I’ve seen some interesting points in them and how different states interpret their constitutions and how they believe it applies to same-sex couples and their need for legal unions. Today’s articles included this one “Get Over It, Conservatives: Same-Sex Marriage Will Be Legal in All 50 States” which linked to this one “Constitutional amendment on gay marriage is a waste of time.” Interesting that both authors have the same name although they do not know if they are related. Anyway, there is something I notice after all of these articles that I read that is bothering me: the arguments around not legalizing same-sex unions seem to revolve around Christians, their god and their interpretation of the Bible. This is not to say that all gay people are non-Christian, but this is not the time to go into that.

Given that there is to be separation of Church and State in this country, and also given that this country was founded on freedom (including that of religion), how could anyone use the Bible, and nothing else, as their argument against everyone having equal rights? The main issue in each of these state’s confusion about their constitutions in relation to legal unions, as far as I can tell, is how they want to define a couple. Everyone who reaches the age of consent has the right to enter into a legal union (a legally binding contract) with someone of the opposite sex, but few have the right to enter into a legal union with someone of the same sex. It seems that the government is being asked to determine what a “couple” is when it has nothing whatsoever to do with what a couple is. It is none of the state’s business whom I choose to enter into that contract with or why. I am free to live as I am or as I choose as long as it does not hurt anyone else. The question of marriage or handfasting or whatever is a totally separate part of the equation that has nothing whatsoever to do with the IRS/insurance company/Social Security Administration/hospital/etc. A person’s preference as to the type of bond they choose to have in their hearts, the ceremony, is based on their spirituality/religion and comes from the potential partner’s church or spiritual beliefs. It has nothing to do with a legal contract, a separate document that provides certain rights and protections under the law of the state. Why is it that so many believe it is their business who enters into that contract, who can and who cannot? What does anyone’s church have to do with that personal decision?

These arguments against same-sex unions seem to assume that everyone wants to get married which, to me, implies a Christian union. This country is not Christian and is not only comprised of Christians (or Muslims or Jews or adherents of any one religion). It is not to be assumed that everyone lives by that Bible or worships that god. I’d like to see the debate that assumes that we are all citizens of this country where there is a separation of Church and State. And I’d like to see the debate assume that everyone here, every citizen, has the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. After all, this is the case. This is that country.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (quoted from Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress 4 July 1776) While the Declaration of Independence is not really a legal document, it is a statement to the king of England outlining why this country was going to separate from England and govern itself. It does not mention anyone’s god, but it does allude to the author’s belief in a divine creator. The author was Thomas Jefferson, and while he was not an atheist, he did not believe in organized religion. He also states that he believes that all people are entitled to equal rights, although as a slave owner, he must have struggled with necessity of slave ownership in his time.

The legal document that the country was founded upon is the Constitution. There is no mention of God, Jesus or any other deity in it. The concept of separation of Church and State is very clear throughout and makes sure everyone has the right to choose their deity or deities (or not) with no involvement by the government. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….” (quoted from the U.S. Constitution ratified by congress on 4 March, 1789)

So, to me, this is all a given. Why wasn’t same-sex union made legal many years ago? Was it because we were allowing a church or religion to make governmental decisions?

Feel free to comment on this, but please do as I ask if you want to debate: comments cannot include anything related to any diety or any reference to a book for any religion. I want to see a debate about government, law and equal rights for the people. If not here, somewhere. I want to know why everyone shouldn’t have the right to enter into a legal union with their life partner in exactly the same way heterosexuals can enter into legal unions now. I’d like to see why it is anyone else’s business but mine (and my partner’s) who I choose to enter into a union with. What is everyone so afraid of?