Some topics are
unavoidable when they're prominent in the news. Lately, one of these
topics has been that of marriage equality. One common theme keeps
popping up, and it BOTHERS THE SHIT OUT OF ME! One such discussion
happened recently at a local bar. It went something like this...
“I'm not a
bigot; I just don't think gays should marry...”
Actually,
yes... you ARE a bigot.
“NO I'M NOT!
I have friends who are gay...”
… and yet,
you think they're less of a human than you are?
“Why would
you say that?”
Well, you don't
think that they deserve to have the same rights that you do. If we,
as humans, are supposed to have equal rights, then why do you think
they don't deserve the same rights you do, then that would suggest
that you see them as less human.
“But the
Bible says it's wrong...”
Actually, the
OLD TESTAMENT says that, and a lot of other crazy things... you left
your ex-wife after she cheated on you... did you slaughter a fatted
calf after stoning her? CHRISTians are supposed to look to the words
of CHRIST; and in Matthew 19:12, he says (in the language of his
time) that some PEOPLE are born gay.
If they are,
indeed, people, as Jesus said, then don't they deserve to live under
the umbrella of the words “Love thy neighbor?”
It doesn't say:
“Love thy
neighbor*”
*Unless
they're gay
“But the
Church opposes it...”
The First 10
words of the First Amendment read “Congress shall pass no law
respecting an establishment of Religion.” The position of your
Church is irrelevant. Religious doctrine can't become law.
“But the next
part says 'nor abridging the free-exercise thereof.' Laws can't
discriminate on my religion.”
If you don't
support gay marriage, don't have one. Your religious beliefs aren't
being oppressed. However, if you're telling other people, who
believe differently than you; that marriage is about love, rather
than gender; that their religious beliefs can't be expressed, just
like your's, because of YOUR beliefs, then aren't their religious
beliefs being oppressed by yours?
“So just
because someone chooses to be gay, they should be allowed special
laws?”
When did you
choose to be straight? Furthermore, how is that a “special law?”
It seems to me that more laws have been created to DENY people this
right... simply removing those laws, to make the current laws apply
to EVERYONE sounds more like we're REMOVING “special laws,” going
the other way; just like the repeal of the 3/5 clause in the
Constitution.
"I didn't choose to be straight. I just know I am."
So I guess, then, it's outrageous to think that other people might be born different than you. I guess, then, everybody must be born with brown hair and blue eyes. I guess, then, everybody must need glasses. I guess we're all just born the same?
"Well, no... obviously not... but..."
So then, it's perfectly possible that someone else might grow up KNOWING they're gay... glad we settled that...
“But marriage
is a religious pact. If the Constitution can't tell us how to
worship, how can marriages be regulated by law?”
Actually,
marriage is a contractual agreement with the State and Federal
government. If it weren't, marriage status wouldn't affect taxes.
If marriage weren't a legal contract, then everybody would have to
file taxes individually, rather than as a married couple.
“But it'll
hurt the economy...”
How will more
weddings hurt an economy? That means more officiants, more cakes and
bakers and bartenders and caterers and limo drivers and dove handlers
and event planners and event centers (which may need to be built or
renovated) and more gift registries (which means more gift buying...
stuff needs to be made when stuff is bought) and more traveling and
more hotel stays and eating out and more flying and driving and
Amtraking and Busing... that all sounds like MORE jobs to me, and a
BETTER economy...
“Gay marriage
will threaten traditional marriages...”
So, if gays are
allowed to marry, would you leave your new wife for a man?
“No... I'm
not gay...”
Then YOUR
marriage won't be threatened. Why should it matter to you?
“Well, it
doesn't matter to me, but it
might affect other
people...”
And
why is that your business?
“Well,
it's not...”
Then
it shouldn't matter...
“But marriage
has ALWAYS been between one man and one woman.”
No it hasn't.
In Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, some Native American tribes,
Mormons, and many Muslim current countries, marriage is between one
man and SEVERAL women, or two people who love each other, regardless
of gender. The Roman Emperor, Caligula, married his horse. Clearly,
marriage has NOT always been between 'one man and one woman.'
“And Ancient
Greece and Rome fell; the Native Americans don't have many people
left; the Mormons abandoned polygamy; and the Muslims are... well...
Muslims...”
Greece and Rome
fell because their empires got too big to maintain, and they
collapsed beneath their own decadence and arrogance. Gay marriage
had nothing to do with it; furthermore, it's largely because of
CHRISTIANS that there aren't many Native Americans left; and after
your comment about Muslims, how can you say you're not a bigot?
“Well, I was
talking about gays; not Muslims...”
Should Muslims
be allowed to marry?
“Well, of
course they should.”
So why is it ok
for Muslims, but not gays?
“Muslims
believe in a God, just like I do.”
So Atheists
shouldn't be allowed to get married, either?
“I didn't say
that...”
Yes, you did...
you said that the reason Christians and Muslims should be allowed to
marry, is because they believe in God. Alternately, if someone
doesn't believe in God, they shouldn't be allowed to marry.
“I didn't say
that. There's no reason Atheists shouldn't marry...”
… as long as
they're not gay...
“Right...”
Tell me again,
how are you not a bigot?
“...
uhhhhh...”
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