Well, D.C. has turned down a challenge of same sex marriage. Mostly, I blame Republicans (so-called conservatives) and bible-thumping Democrats for misunderstanding the nature and sense of contract law. The United States Constitution forbids the establishment of a state religion.
Yet, we take what is basically a contract between two people (we call it marriage) and confuse that with religious ceremonies that tie two people together religiously. What Constitutional provision gives the federal government the right to impose religion (religiously-sanctioned marriage) on a secular population? What makes sense is a "civil union" (not a popular term since it's been demonized by the religious right) sanctioned by the government. Union with your Pomeranian or your bicycle if you want to--it's just a contract.
Then, if you wish, do what millions of others have done: Have that union sanctioned by whatever church rings your (church?) bell. Let's get the government out of our bedrooms and back to the powers given by the Constitution. My wife and I had a civil ceremony. We will do a religious ceremony when we choose.
I could not agree more!
ReplyDeleteI have been saying the same thing for years... the government has no business requiring, recognizing, regulating or even commenting on religous ceremonies (marriage). All they should care about is the legal civil union between adults. (Which clearly anyone is entitled to enter into with whomever they choose.)
After that, let people go to whatever church they see fit (or not) to get whatever blessing their faith dictates.
I agree with you that the phrase "civil union" has been poisoned by people who like to hate others. It's too bad... but not surprising. If there is one thing the right excels at is using language and symbols to further their agenda.
I hope we don't try to pin this on the right, Geoff. There's idiocy evenly distributed between the two parties. I do grant you, however, the right has been co-opted by the far right, fanatical "religious" loonies. On the other hand the most conservative Democrats are right in bed with Falwell and that entire bunch.
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