Why I Do Not Vote, or, Gay Marriage: An apology
Okay, it was inevitable. Eventually, I was going to have to talk about it. I have a confession to make.
I do not vote in Presidential elections, and here's why:
In 2004, I voted for George W. Bush and against gay marriage.
[Read on for the apology]That's right. You heard me.
I voted against gay marriage.
I was 18. I was voting absentee (because I was going to school out of state), and the lady handling my ballot went over it verbally with me: "This is for Adam and Eve, and this is for Adam and Steve."
What undecided, in that situation, would vote for Adam and Steve? She basically told me how to vote.
But I'm not blaming her. I voted how I voted, and that was that.
And I regret it. I regret it so much that I don't vote anymore.
So let's talk about "the gay marriage thing."
Some people believe that being gay is a sin.
They cite Bible verses that are talking about rape (a sin), adultery (a sin), and being inhospitable to angels (a ... well, at least a bad idea). They cite verses that are in context with the Old Covenant, the laws that we are no longer expected to uphold (hence, bacon cheeseburgers).
This is confusing. What sins, exactly, are being punished here? Are these offenses things that we are still supposed to uphold?
But, assuming for a second that being gay instead of, say, being in an intimate relationship outside of marriage is what's the sin here, why does that mean gay marriage should be illegal?
I can skip going to church on Sunday (a sin - and one that I committed this morning, forgive me). There is nothing illegal about that.
I can tell you lies about myself (a sin). Nothing illegal about that.
I can be jealous to the gills of my neighbor's house, spouse, and livestock (sin!), and there's nothing illegal about that. Furthermore, no one is trying to make this illegal.
But I can, in fact, be in a same-sex intimate relationship outside of marriage, and there is nothing illegal about that - unless I want to get married. Now there's opposition.
I don't understand why people insist on drawing the line at marriage. What an odd place to decide to enforce laws against this alleged sin. Marriage is not a Christian institution, so why would it be subject to an interpretation of Christian text?
The New Covenant - that is, Christian law as defined by the life and death of Jesus Christ - says not to abide by "eye for an eye" but to remove the plank from our own eyes before tending to the splinters in our brothers' eyes. We should not seek to judge others when we shoulder sins of our own. And we ALL have sins of our own. That is the whole point of Christian doctrine. Instead of judging, condemning, and outlawing, we are supposed to love one another. Help those in need. Extend God's Grace to the fringes of society.
There are kids who are afraid to go to school every day, afraid to talk to their parents, and ashamed to sit in church pews because of who they are. This is a tragedy. Why would a person tasked with loving one's neighbor and sharing grace want to further alienate these young people? Why would they spend so much time and energy protesting the rights of adults?
Even convicted felons can get married to whomever they choose. Why can't two women?
So, to the LGBTQ community of America: I apologize. I realize that my vote was a drop in the bucket, but there are lots of us out there voting on shit when we have no idea what the f*ck we are talking about. We have no right to grant or deny rights to you or anyone under these circumstances, and I am sorry that we seem determined to do so. Polls are indicating that the slight majority of the country is pro-gay rights these days, so I know it's just a matter of time. This is the Civil Rights battle of our generation, and it won't be without its ugly side, but love will win this war.
I do not vote in Presidential elections, and here's why:
In 2004, I voted for George W. Bush and against gay marriage.
[Read on for the apology]That's right. You heard me.
I voted against gay marriage.
I was 18. I was voting absentee (because I was going to school out of state), and the lady handling my ballot went over it verbally with me: "This is for Adam and Eve, and this is for Adam and Steve."
What undecided, in that situation, would vote for Adam and Steve? She basically told me how to vote.
But I'm not blaming her. I voted how I voted, and that was that.
And I regret it. I regret it so much that I don't vote anymore.
So let's talk about "the gay marriage thing."
Some people believe that being gay is a sin.
They cite Bible verses that are talking about rape (a sin), adultery (a sin), and being inhospitable to angels (a ... well, at least a bad idea). They cite verses that are in context with the Old Covenant, the laws that we are no longer expected to uphold (hence, bacon cheeseburgers).
This is confusing. What sins, exactly, are being punished here? Are these offenses things that we are still supposed to uphold?
But, assuming for a second that being gay instead of, say, being in an intimate relationship outside of marriage is what's the sin here, why does that mean gay marriage should be illegal?
I can skip going to church on Sunday (a sin - and one that I committed this morning, forgive me). There is nothing illegal about that.
I can tell you lies about myself (a sin). Nothing illegal about that.
I can be jealous to the gills of my neighbor's house, spouse, and livestock (sin!), and there's nothing illegal about that. Furthermore, no one is trying to make this illegal.
But I can, in fact, be in a same-sex intimate relationship outside of marriage, and there is nothing illegal about that - unless I want to get married. Now there's opposition.
I don't understand why people insist on drawing the line at marriage. What an odd place to decide to enforce laws against this alleged sin. Marriage is not a Christian institution, so why would it be subject to an interpretation of Christian text?
The New Covenant - that is, Christian law as defined by the life and death of Jesus Christ - says not to abide by "eye for an eye" but to remove the plank from our own eyes before tending to the splinters in our brothers' eyes. We should not seek to judge others when we shoulder sins of our own. And we ALL have sins of our own. That is the whole point of Christian doctrine. Instead of judging, condemning, and outlawing, we are supposed to love one another. Help those in need. Extend God's Grace to the fringes of society.
There are kids who are afraid to go to school every day, afraid to talk to their parents, and ashamed to sit in church pews because of who they are. This is a tragedy. Why would a person tasked with loving one's neighbor and sharing grace want to further alienate these young people? Why would they spend so much time and energy protesting the rights of adults?
Even convicted felons can get married to whomever they choose. Why can't two women?
So, to the LGBTQ community of America: I apologize. I realize that my vote was a drop in the bucket, but there are lots of us out there voting on shit when we have no idea what the f*ck we are talking about. We have no right to grant or deny rights to you or anyone under these circumstances, and I am sorry that we seem determined to do so. Polls are indicating that the slight majority of the country is pro-gay rights these days, so I know it's just a matter of time. This is the Civil Rights battle of our generation, and it won't be without its ugly side, but love will win this war.