Equality For All
Taken from sergebatouille . This sums it all up.
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Dear Intolerant Religious Conservatives,
Equality.
Who are you to decide that people are no longer equal simply because they are different than you. There was a time in our history when African Americans were not even allowed to vote. And now a black man will be sworn into office as the president of the United States in just a few months. Perhaps you feel that they have made a choice to be the way that they are and therefore they give up the right to equality under the law. If that is the case, I ask you this: Why would a person choose to be treated as inferior, to be ridiculed for their choice of mates, to risk life and limb at the hands of people whose fear motivates them to lash out and kill gays and lesbians? Why not choose to be normal? Why not choose to never have to break the heart of your mother or father when you tell them that you are the very thing that they believe to be so wrong and unnatural? Being gay doesn't make a person any less human, or any less capable of forming a lasting relationship rooted in love and trust just as much as any heterosexual couple.
Sanctity.
The sanctity of marriage is not degraded by two consenting adults finding a lasting bond through the public declaration of their love for each other. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who cheat on their spouses and lie to their loved ones. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who rush into the union on a whim and then have it annulled with in weeks because it was a mistake. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who don't take it seriously, who do it for reasons other than love.
Discrimination.
Treating people differently under the law is wrong. Discrimination based on factors out side of one's control is wrong. Telling people that their love doesn't matter because one of them is the wrong gender is WRONG! Too many people die every day because we in this country allow the perpetuation of a culture of hate and intolerance. The passage of Proposition 8 has legally sanctioned this attitude, this culture of discrimination. Maybe if enough voices rise up in opposition we can make a difference. Maybe if we offer logical reasons to people who have voted in favor of the legislation they will open their hearts and mind to a more tolerant point of view.
Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This is the biblical law that trumps all others. This is the go to philosophy embraced by more than just one religion. Would you have some one else tell you who you are allowed to love? Would you allow others to dictate to you whether or not you can marry the person with whom you are in love? No. So why is it acceptable to do these things to some one else?
Many of my friends have already spoken up, perhaps this will encourage those of you who haven't to find your voice.
COEXIST...
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Dear Intolerant Religious Conservatives,
Equality.
Who are you to decide that people are no longer equal simply because they are different than you. There was a time in our history when African Americans were not even allowed to vote. And now a black man will be sworn into office as the president of the United States in just a few months. Perhaps you feel that they have made a choice to be the way that they are and therefore they give up the right to equality under the law. If that is the case, I ask you this: Why would a person choose to be treated as inferior, to be ridiculed for their choice of mates, to risk life and limb at the hands of people whose fear motivates them to lash out and kill gays and lesbians? Why not choose to be normal? Why not choose to never have to break the heart of your mother or father when you tell them that you are the very thing that they believe to be so wrong and unnatural? Being gay doesn't make a person any less human, or any less capable of forming a lasting relationship rooted in love and trust just as much as any heterosexual couple.
Sanctity.
The sanctity of marriage is not degraded by two consenting adults finding a lasting bond through the public declaration of their love for each other. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who cheat on their spouses and lie to their loved ones. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who rush into the union on a whim and then have it annulled with in weeks because it was a mistake. The sanctity of marriage is degraded by people who don't take it seriously, who do it for reasons other than love.
Discrimination.
Treating people differently under the law is wrong. Discrimination based on factors out side of one's control is wrong. Telling people that their love doesn't matter because one of them is the wrong gender is WRONG! Too many people die every day because we in this country allow the perpetuation of a culture of hate and intolerance. The passage of Proposition 8 has legally sanctioned this attitude, this culture of discrimination. Maybe if enough voices rise up in opposition we can make a difference. Maybe if we offer logical reasons to people who have voted in favor of the legislation they will open their hearts and mind to a more tolerant point of view.
Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This is the biblical law that trumps all others. This is the go to philosophy embraced by more than just one religion. Would you have some one else tell you who you are allowed to love? Would you allow others to dictate to you whether or not you can marry the person with whom you are in love? No. So why is it acceptable to do these things to some one else?
Many of my friends have already spoken up, perhaps this will encourage those of you who haven't to find your voice.
COEXIST...