Same Sex Marriage

With two cases in front of the Supreme Court, the debate over same sex marriage is on everyone’s mind & social media feeds. I don’t know if I’m the only person who feels this way or just the only one who’ll admit it but I’m torn.

Though not regular church-goers, I grew up in a Christian family. I know what the P.O.V. of the Christian faith is in regards to homosexuality – says flat out it’s an abomination. I’m no Biblical scholar but if memory serves, there are plenty of other things that are an abomination in the eyes of God, but if people “commit” them, aren’t they still allowed to marry? Actually, marrying the same person twice is an abomination (not to mention crazy). Did you know that eating pork (I’m sure you did) is on the list? By the way…so is shell fish.  Women wearing pants is also on the list…yep, that too (I’m toast). Liars are an abomination. Who reading this hasn’t told a lie? Does that mean a woman wearing pants, who has eaten shell fish and a man who eats pork & told a lie can get married…but 2 women or 2 men can’t?

The Bible also speaks against being “unequally yoked” believers & non-believers. Does that mean before a man & woman are given a marriage license they have to verify that they are either believers or non-believers? What about atheists? They’re an abomination. If marriage is under the umbrella of religion then a professed atheist shouldn’t be allowed to be married. If marriage is a religious union/ceremony, then I can’t imagine that an atheist would want it. It almost seems as if their civil rights are being violated by forcing them to take part in a religious ceremony…something that obviously goes against their beliefs or lack thereof.

To those who say one of, if not the primary, reason for marriage is to procreate; does that mean people who can’t have children shouldn’t be allowed to marry? What about people who don’t want children? What about people who shack up and then after several years & a couple of kids they decide to get married…what’s the point? Should we talk about the folks who shack up before they get married? Nah…because no one reading this has **ever** done that.

If the use of the marriage is what vexes same sex marriage opponents because marriage is a religious sacrament between a man & a woman, then maybe the government – federal, state, and county – should stop issuing “marriage licenses” (separation of church & state). Everyone will have civil unions or domestic partnerships that would give you the legal rights as a “married” couple; insurance benefits, end of life decisions, put the empty milk jug back in the fridge, change the direction of the toilet paper at will, etc., but would not have any religious ties. A couple can obtain the license for a civil union license / domestic partnership certificate, etc. and have the ceremony (for lack of a better term) performed by a justice of the peace and it’s recorded at the court house. If you want to have a religious ceremony in a church, temple or synagogue after that’s a personal choice.  This way, religion isn’t brought into it unless they want it to be.

That all sounds pro-same sex marriage doesn’t it? Then why did I say I’m torn? Here’s why. If this is goes forward will churches, pastors, priests or preachers be forced to perform weddings for same sex couples or face charges of civil rights violations? What about the rights of the church or minister to uphold their beliefs? Is it right, just or fair to force an individual or group to go against their faith or religious teachings in order to protect the rights of another? And before you get your knickers in a twist, I’m not talking about crazy “kill her because she showed her ankles”…I’m being logical. I’m talking about a Priest or an Assembly of God minister being legally required to perform a wedding ceremony for a same sex couple, even if it goes against their beliefs, or face legal ramifications. Will they be able to say, “Yes, you have the right to marry, but because it’s against my beliefs I can't perform the ceremony.”? Now, if they want to do it, more power to them. If the couple has a civil union license then there’s nothing stopping them from getting “married“ by a justice of the peace…just like any other couple who have no religious affiliation.

Folks on both sides of the issue need to understand; just because someone disagrees with what you believe is right doesn’t mean they hate you or they’re bigots it just means they think it’s wrong.  Yes, there is no shortage of bigots and there are people who hate homosexuals just because…that won’t change with a law or Supreme Court decision. You can’t legislate how someone feels, thinks or believes. You have the right to your opinion & the right to voice that opinion. What you don’t have the right to do (or shouldn’t) is be blatantly disrespectful to someone you disagree with. I mean really, if you can’t think of a better counter point than “you’re an idiot” then you really need to keep that to yourself because you’re not helping your position at all and you’re one mouse click away from “I know you are but what am I?”

Supporters of SSM; if the decision is in favor of SSM, please know that not everyone is going to jump for joy, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who opposes SSM hates you. All cars have wheels but not everything with wheels is a car. Opponents of SSM; if your opposition is based in your faith and that this is just one more thing that slides us down the slippery slope, if you’re worried about their soul and then do what people of faith do; pray. If your opposition is just because you hate gay people then I’ve got nothing for you. Just find a hole to crawl into & leave the rest of us alone.