Why the defense of marriage is not a political issue in the first place.
Let's make one thing perfectly clear. Just because I don't believe gay marriage is valid in the eyes of God does not mean I hate gays. I've not had much experience with interacting with gays in my life, but what I have had was largely positive. And my favorite female comedian is Ellen Degeneres. I can appreciate a person's personality without agreeing with their lifestyle. My mom calls it "loving the sinner, but not the sin."
Now, about why defending marriage should not involve the government. It's all about the separation of church and state. If the United States government were to pass a defense of marriage act, they would be showing favor to the religious groups that support it, a big no-no. Why? Because that would be against the US Constitution. The government can not favor any one religion, just as it can not persecute any one religion. Not to mention the fact that if the feds forced religions against gay marriage to accept it, there would be an uproar of public anger.
Because at the end of the day, the government has no say about your personal decisions. And that's what marriage is. A personal decision. If you feel that gay marriage is wrong, you are free to feel that, as well as vice versa. You can be civil about it, but no one can change your mind but you.
Now, about why defending marriage should not involve the government. It's all about the separation of church and state. If the United States government were to pass a defense of marriage act, they would be showing favor to the religious groups that support it, a big no-no. Why? Because that would be against the US Constitution. The government can not favor any one religion, just as it can not persecute any one religion. Not to mention the fact that if the feds forced religions against gay marriage to accept it, there would be an uproar of public anger.
Because at the end of the day, the government has no say about your personal decisions. And that's what marriage is. A personal decision. If you feel that gay marriage is wrong, you are free to feel that, as well as vice versa. You can be civil about it, but no one can change your mind but you.