ColdTowne Theater
Push for Gay Marriages Bad Strategy
RECEIVED Fri., Nov. 21, 2003
Homosexuals believe they won a victory in Massachusetts Tuesday. If you call falling short of the primary goal and raising the ire of the 98% of the population that is not gay a victory, then "good show, fellas."
The political wrath of the politicians and media has already started. Abandon the "m" word and secure the rights and privileges you want and the road ahead will be lined with supporters of all sexual and religious dispositions. Changing the rules for who qualifies to be "married" has enraged the populace. All politicians will be forced to take a position against gay "marriage" in order to get re-elected. In this climate, passing a constitutional amendment banning gay "marriage" forever will be easy. The fact that a religious pact is endorsed by government is the root problem. If true separation of church and state existed, we would not be having this argument. Secure equal rights for gays who want to get "married" without using the term "marriage"! Keep "marriage" as a religious pact and let it become a symbolic name used by believers (straight or gay) to describe the underlying renamed legal arrangement accepted by government. This gives equal rights to everyone under the law without any religious taint or blessing. What's happening now will seal the deal on the Supreme Court making the final decision and threatens to further blur the separation clause of the Constitution. They will not vote in your favor. In fact, when the politicians see that day coming, they will pass a constitutional amendment that will destroy most of the fruits of years of activism that will have occurred by then.
Try to have some foresight, people. You've just won the battle that will likely cost you the war.
The political wrath of the politicians and media has already started. Abandon the "m" word and secure the rights and privileges you want and the road ahead will be lined with supporters of all sexual and religious dispositions. Changing the rules for who qualifies to be "married" has enraged the populace. All politicians will be forced to take a position against gay "marriage" in order to get re-elected. In this climate, passing a constitutional amendment banning gay "marriage" forever will be easy. The fact that a religious pact is endorsed by government is the root problem. If true separation of church and state existed, we would not be having this argument. Secure equal rights for gays who want to get "married" without using the term "marriage"! Keep "marriage" as a religious pact and let it become a symbolic name used by believers (straight or gay) to describe the underlying renamed legal arrangement accepted by government. This gives equal rights to everyone under the law without any religious taint or blessing. What's happening now will seal the deal on the Supreme Court making the final decision and threatens to further blur the separation clause of the Constitution. They will not vote in your favor. In fact, when the politicians see that day coming, they will pass a constitutional amendment that will destroy most of the fruits of years of activism that will have occurred by then.
Try to have some foresight, people. You've just won the battle that will likely cost you the war.
John McJunkin
