A Loss for Everyone
What a loss it would be for EVERYONE if same-sex marriages were prohibited by law. What a loss for everyone if loving relationships between people of the same sex were not honored, nurtured, and given the same legitimacy as relationships between women and men. To miss the opportunity to celebrate healthy, loving relationships in every form is to miss an opportunity to take a step forward in our growth, our understanding, our compassion as a nation and as a culture. There are no reasons to miss this opportunity other than fear.
There are no reasons to use the Bible as an exclusionary text except fear. The Bible was used to justify slavery of African-Americans. It was used to justify the slaughter of Native Americans. It was used to keep women from taking their legitimate place in society. As a Christian community, we managed to move beyond using the Bible in those fearful ways. Such fear is antithetical to the Christian message. It’s time again to take a step toward Christian compassion.
There are no political reasons except fear; fear of losing privilege and fear of losing support from other fearful people. As a matter of civil rights, there is no justification for denying same-sex relationships full status as married people. To legalize discrimination in any way diminishes
the goals and ideals that provide the underpinnings of our government. This diminishes everyone.
Do we need to take marriage seriously? Absolutely. Do we need to think carefully about what constitutes a healthy marriage? Indeed. Do we need to consider what is in the best interest of children? Most definitely. When we look at the current state of marriage and childrearing in our country, it appears that heterosexual marriage has had only marginal success in addressing these important issues. The capacity to be a good partner and a good parent is not confined to heterosexuals. Those are human capacities and human urges. There is no evidence that same-sex relationships will do significantly better or worse that heterosexual couples at these important tasks. Yet, to deny them the possibility is to deny everyone the chance to take that next important step in our cultural development, the step of compassion and inclusion.