Fishing is good for the soul, part 10 (or Why You Should've Voted No on 8)
(Shannon, scroll down. This isn't what I was trying to send you, and you won't agree anyway.)
Only recently, the state of California voted to pass Proposition 8, abolishing gay marriage. I feel very strongly that this proposition shouldn't have been passed, and I'm more than a little upset about this issue. The other day I discussed it with a few friends who do not share my viewpoint. They defended Prop 8, as many do, by saying gay marriage is immoral. The Bible calls it a sin, so it cannot be allowed.
Fine, then. The Bible must be right. The Bible also says slavery is okay and men can have several wives. So go on. Buy yourself a slave. Marry two, three, maybe ten people. It's in the Bible, after all.
That's so unfair, you say. Those things are outdated. They're in the Old Testament, and that was written over 1,000 years ago.
Well, guess where the anti-gay ideas are written? You guessed it: they're in the Old Testament. Doesn't that make them outdated too? I hope you said yes. Nobody likes a double standard.
If you still think homosexuality is a sin, fine. The laws of logic are wasted on you. But for the sake of argument, we'll assume that you're right and being gay is evil. So? You're not gay. I doubt you know a single gay person. Gay marriage doesn't affect you in any way. It's God's problem, not yours. Let Him send gay people to hell or whatever, but you don't have the right to control other people's personal lives. Mind your own business and stay out of it.
But this is a Christian-based country, you say. We all need to follow the Bible and do God's will.
Nice sentiment, but no. We came to America for freedom of religion, and you can't force your religion on anyone else. There is supposed to be separation between church and state. America is made up, not only of Christians, but of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, atheists, and many others. Once again, mind your own business.
Further arguments against Prop 8 are that, had it not been passed, gay marriage would have been taught in schools and churches would have been sued for refusing to marry gay couples. The first is absolutely ridiculous. No kind of marriage is taught in schools. Marriage has nothing to do with education. If you don't believe me, ask the school board.
The second argument is a half-truth. Technically, churches could be sued. But you can sue someone for being ugly. A man from Nebraska tried to sue God. Just because you can sue doesn't mean the lawsuit will hold up in court. If 8 is abolished, churches will still be able to marry or refuse to marry anyone they want.
I once saw a sign reading "Prop 8 = Free Speech". Newsflash: we already HAVE free speech! Free speech and gay marriage are totally unrelated.
Another popular argument is that instead of marrying, gay people should get civil unions. Civil unions don't grant couples the same rights as marriages do. Suppose there are two lesbian women who are very dedicated to each other and have lived together for decades, just like a married couple (and yes, they got a civil union). One of them gets into a car accident and is put into intensive care. It looks bad for her, and she probably won't live longer than a few days. Her partner wants to go to her side, but only family members and spouses are allowed to visit intensive care patients. They'll never see each other again. Anyone can see that this is wrong.
When I pointed this out to a friend, she replied that it was the woman's own fault for being gay. We've already established that homosexuality isn't a sin, but it isn't a choice either. Gay people are just that - people. Some surf, some have dogs, some work on cars, some play the trombone. They are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, neighbors, and friends.
Do you choose who to fall in love with? I didn't think so. Neither do gay people. If they had a choice, why would they choose to be discriminated against like this?
No one can deny that Prop 8 is discriminating. It takes away rights from one group of people and looks down on them. It's wrong, and it's completely unfair.
America is a free country. If we take away marriage rights from gay people, then they are no longer free. As a nation, we have moved above most prejudices. We no longer think of women or African Americans as second-class citizens. It makes me sad that we can't see beyond this prejudice as well.
I don't like it when sound reasoning counters my wishes, you say.
I didn't think so.
Only recently, the state of California voted to pass Proposition 8, abolishing gay marriage. I feel very strongly that this proposition shouldn't have been passed, and I'm more than a little upset about this issue. The other day I discussed it with a few friends who do not share my viewpoint. They defended Prop 8, as many do, by saying gay marriage is immoral. The Bible calls it a sin, so it cannot be allowed.
Fine, then. The Bible must be right. The Bible also says slavery is okay and men can have several wives. So go on. Buy yourself a slave. Marry two, three, maybe ten people. It's in the Bible, after all.
That's so unfair, you say. Those things are outdated. They're in the Old Testament, and that was written over 1,000 years ago.
Well, guess where the anti-gay ideas are written? You guessed it: they're in the Old Testament. Doesn't that make them outdated too? I hope you said yes. Nobody likes a double standard.
If you still think homosexuality is a sin, fine. The laws of logic are wasted on you. But for the sake of argument, we'll assume that you're right and being gay is evil. So? You're not gay. I doubt you know a single gay person. Gay marriage doesn't affect you in any way. It's God's problem, not yours. Let Him send gay people to hell or whatever, but you don't have the right to control other people's personal lives. Mind your own business and stay out of it.
But this is a Christian-based country, you say. We all need to follow the Bible and do God's will.
Nice sentiment, but no. We came to America for freedom of religion, and you can't force your religion on anyone else. There is supposed to be separation between church and state. America is made up, not only of Christians, but of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, atheists, and many others. Once again, mind your own business.
Further arguments against Prop 8 are that, had it not been passed, gay marriage would have been taught in schools and churches would have been sued for refusing to marry gay couples. The first is absolutely ridiculous. No kind of marriage is taught in schools. Marriage has nothing to do with education. If you don't believe me, ask the school board.
The second argument is a half-truth. Technically, churches could be sued. But you can sue someone for being ugly. A man from Nebraska tried to sue God. Just because you can sue doesn't mean the lawsuit will hold up in court. If 8 is abolished, churches will still be able to marry or refuse to marry anyone they want.
I once saw a sign reading "Prop 8 = Free Speech". Newsflash: we already HAVE free speech! Free speech and gay marriage are totally unrelated.
Another popular argument is that instead of marrying, gay people should get civil unions. Civil unions don't grant couples the same rights as marriages do. Suppose there are two lesbian women who are very dedicated to each other and have lived together for decades, just like a married couple (and yes, they got a civil union). One of them gets into a car accident and is put into intensive care. It looks bad for her, and she probably won't live longer than a few days. Her partner wants to go to her side, but only family members and spouses are allowed to visit intensive care patients. They'll never see each other again. Anyone can see that this is wrong.
When I pointed this out to a friend, she replied that it was the woman's own fault for being gay. We've already established that homosexuality isn't a sin, but it isn't a choice either. Gay people are just that - people. Some surf, some have dogs, some work on cars, some play the trombone. They are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, neighbors, and friends.
Do you choose who to fall in love with? I didn't think so. Neither do gay people. If they had a choice, why would they choose to be discriminated against like this?
No one can deny that Prop 8 is discriminating. It takes away rights from one group of people and looks down on them. It's wrong, and it's completely unfair.
America is a free country. If we take away marriage rights from gay people, then they are no longer free. As a nation, we have moved above most prejudices. We no longer think of women or African Americans as second-class citizens. It makes me sad that we can't see beyond this prejudice as well.
I don't like it when sound reasoning counters my wishes, you say.
I didn't think so.
posted by DLS5 at
11/07/2008
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