Let Freedom Ring. Chapter I: Marriage Equality

There have been numerous arguments about marriage equality. Yet, marriage equality is still a foreign concept. Instead of providing support why, I intend to tear down the arguments against marriage equality (or more popularly coined... "gay marriage").

Equality is a word thrown about more than a bad idea from government. Homosexuals are striving for such equality. We've come a long way, but the great hurdle is indeed marriage equality.

Opposition to "gay marriage" is strong. This is not just a Republican concept, but a Democratic one as well (look at West Virginia). Why?

Marriage is between one man and one woman. I find it rather humorous that our lawmakers attempted to pass such a statement, in the form of a constitutional amendment no less. Well, who created the concept of marriage? Whose job is it to define marriage? The government? The church? It's a simple, powerful statement. Problem is, there are no effective moral arguments supporting such a statement... without going religious. Perhaps the problem is indeed a deep-rooted prejudice. Why deny someone the freedom to marry someone they love?

Think of the children. Of course. We allow heterosexual couples to bring their own children or adopted children into a marriage. Oddly enough, criminals are also allowed to marry and procreate. No criticism for such. Is it not possible that heterosexual couples bring their own children from failed attempts at heterosexual marriage? Is it possible that gay households are just as effective in child-rearing as heterosexual households? (http://www.bidstrup.com/parenbib.htm) Is it possible that the sexuality of the parents in general is an irrelevant issue? Maybe the key words are "love and commitment."

Homosexuality is immoral. Interesting, for I see no law stating such. However, a vastly popular work of literature says I'm wrong. Curious. For there is a Constitutional Amendment which not only gives me the right of freedom of religion, but also freedom from religion. No one has the right to institute perceived moral standards authorized by a book. Is it possible that gay marriage is celebrated elsewhere (ahem, Buddhism). Many believe in religious freedom. Those who do should recognize that opposition to such based on a religious argument is well... weird.

Marriages enable babies. More babies means humanity will survive. Why are infertile couples allowed to marry? Impotency... post-menopause... Strange, for I believed that "love and commitment" are the key words to marriage. It's not a far off stretch to assume that heterosexual couples will stop marrying in protest of gay marriage. That's also very weird. It is possible that procreation is secondary? Is the human race going to die from lack of reproduction? Odd, because in some locales, overpopulation is a problem. Foolish reproduction often ends in homeless kids in foster care. And that's fucking sad... because I've been homeless.
And it sucks.

It threatens the institution of marriage. How? Doesn't it bring more possibilities into the mix? Is it not possible that allowing such would decrease divorce rates? How does freedom of choice threaten an institution? Are there gay terrorists waiting to axe Christian couples?

Tradition, Lawrence. Fuck that. Slavery was, too.

Same-sex marriage is untested. No, it isn't. Check the Danes, since 1989.

Then we're start marrying animals, family members, and robots. Oh yeah, and polygamy, too. That is one of the top ten dumbest things I've ever heard. That statement is designed to frighten people without logic. There is absolutely no evidence to this argument. West Virginia perhaps leads the charge against gay marriage, and there are chicken-humpers and sister-lickers a plenty within its NASCAR-loving boundaries (not a majority, I just find the coincedence highly amusing). If that is factual, there would already be evidence for such. I have never heard of a call for a law to marry elephants or mothers... not even on Fox News, where ridiculous stories appear first. But, that's a pretty effective tactic... "fear and smear." It makes me proud to be an American.

It would force the hand of the church to marry gay couples when they have a moral objection. Who says you have to marry in a church? A Supreme Court justice married Kristen and I. Churches can refuse anybody they want. Some refuse interracial couples, couples from different religions, and liberals. The argument is also weird, because it gives churches more choice.