(no subject)
I have deleted my previous entry, as my fury has simmered down to a dull roar. The more appropriate level of anger, accompanied by more reasoning and less swearing, is below.
Proposition 8, banning gay marriage, passed in California. Two other states banned gay marriage, and another banned adoptions to any non-married couple (those who proposed it were open that it was specifically targeting gays, since gays cannot get married in that state.)
I am outraged with those who would choose to deny others of a legal right based on sexual orientation. Allowing same-sex couples to marry does not equate to a mandate that ALL churches must perform ceremonies. It means, quite simply, that all couples, regardless of gender, have the right to the legal rights afforded by marriage: tax breaks in some states, a financial merger, protection of children of that couple, legal rights to benefits.
It has NOTHING to do with what happens in your church or what your church taught you. NOTHING. You have every right to believe that same-sex couples cannot enter into the religious realm of marriage, every right. The second that you determine the government should force your church's beliefs on the population at large, you are WRONG.
My religion is just fine with same-sex marriages. Many people of my religion believe anyone over the age of 13 is allowed to make adult decisions. One of those adult choices include one-year marriages. Would you like it if the government told you that your teenagers have the right to be married? Many also believe in temporary marriages before life-long ones. Would you like a mandate that all marriages, even between adults, must start with a one-year temporary marriage? I don't think so.
So why on earth do you think it's okay to dictate your religion's beliefs and teachings to those who are not of the same religion? You wouldn't like it done to you, so don't do it to others. I seem to remember a very prominent figure in Christian teachings who said that, too...
I have friends of all faiths. I have friends who believe that marriage as a religious institution is for one man and one woman - I have no problem with that. Those friends? Would not dare enforce their beliefs on those who would enter the legal institution of marriage. Why? Because their religious beliefs only apply in their church. Their church, quite simply, won't perform marriages for those couples!
To sum up? Leave your religion's beliefs inside your religion. You want to teach willing students about your beliefs? Awesome. More power to you. Do NOT enforce your religion's beliefs on everyone else. You wouldn't like it if it were done to you, and you should have the same respect for us that we have of you.
Now, I look to the courts. The people of California just passed something that is illegal - it's already been deemed so by the earlier Supreme Court case. I put my full faith in the courts to do the right thing and find a way for EQUAL rights to be afforded to all the citizens.
And I cry, cry wholeheartedly, for Ellen and Portia and George Takei and all the other couples whose marriages have been dissolved today. You have every right to your marriage, and I will fight tooth and nail to get them back to you.
Proposition 8, banning gay marriage, passed in California. Two other states banned gay marriage, and another banned adoptions to any non-married couple (those who proposed it were open that it was specifically targeting gays, since gays cannot get married in that state.)
I am outraged with those who would choose to deny others of a legal right based on sexual orientation. Allowing same-sex couples to marry does not equate to a mandate that ALL churches must perform ceremonies. It means, quite simply, that all couples, regardless of gender, have the right to the legal rights afforded by marriage: tax breaks in some states, a financial merger, protection of children of that couple, legal rights to benefits.
It has NOTHING to do with what happens in your church or what your church taught you. NOTHING. You have every right to believe that same-sex couples cannot enter into the religious realm of marriage, every right. The second that you determine the government should force your church's beliefs on the population at large, you are WRONG.
My religion is just fine with same-sex marriages. Many people of my religion believe anyone over the age of 13 is allowed to make adult decisions. One of those adult choices include one-year marriages. Would you like it if the government told you that your teenagers have the right to be married? Many also believe in temporary marriages before life-long ones. Would you like a mandate that all marriages, even between adults, must start with a one-year temporary marriage? I don't think so.
So why on earth do you think it's okay to dictate your religion's beliefs and teachings to those who are not of the same religion? You wouldn't like it done to you, so don't do it to others. I seem to remember a very prominent figure in Christian teachings who said that, too...
I have friends of all faiths. I have friends who believe that marriage as a religious institution is for one man and one woman - I have no problem with that. Those friends? Would not dare enforce their beliefs on those who would enter the legal institution of marriage. Why? Because their religious beliefs only apply in their church. Their church, quite simply, won't perform marriages for those couples!
To sum up? Leave your religion's beliefs inside your religion. You want to teach willing students about your beliefs? Awesome. More power to you. Do NOT enforce your religion's beliefs on everyone else. You wouldn't like it if it were done to you, and you should have the same respect for us that we have of you.
Now, I look to the courts. The people of California just passed something that is illegal - it's already been deemed so by the earlier Supreme Court case. I put my full faith in the courts to do the right thing and find a way for EQUAL rights to be afforded to all the citizens.
And I cry, cry wholeheartedly, for Ellen and Portia and George Takei and all the other couples whose marriages have been dissolved today. You have every right to your marriage, and I will fight tooth and nail to get them back to you.