Same Sex Marriage


My thoughts on Same Sex Marriage

My position on same sex marriage is very simple. It's none of my business and it surely isn't the Government's business. I don't care if two people who care for each other are married or not. It's their business not mine. I think what goes on between consenting adults is between them.

So why am I writing this blog? It's because others wish to codify their beliefs as the beliefs of all and I am tired of hearing the shrill cry against this minority. So the reason it is important to talk about it at all has to do money (doesn't it always) and with Religion.

Some people get tax benefits from being married and some don't. I don't think it should matter. My taxes shouldn't change because I'm married. If you are married companies will subsidize purchasing medical benefits for your spouse. If you are married your spouse gets all of your property when you die (in some states). If you are married your spouse has some rights as to how and when you die.

I don't think that should matter. I think my taxes should be based on my income not on how I choose to live my life (yes I believe in a flat tax). I think you should be able to designate who you wish to be on your medical plan (after all you're paying for it). I think all people should specify where their property goes (remember you can specify that you have join ownership). I think all people should specify who has a say in your death.

Now the moral issues. I think that if you believe that marriage is between a man and women then you should marry some one of the opposite sex. If you think marriage is between two people who want to make a commitment to each other then that is OK as well. Why should it be my business? Why should I be able to tell you how to live? How does it hurt me? How does it interfere with my rights? The answer is simple it doesn't. So why does the majority feel like they have a right to force their beliefs on a minority? Why do some people think that they should be able to legislate their own beliefs on everyone else? That's what the Taliban did! That is what the radical Muslims want to do! I strongly believe in the separation between Church and State.

One of our basic beliefs is the freedom to choose. By the way, freedom of choice doesn't mean you have to like me. if you don't like how I have chosen to live my life then you don't have to associate with me. You can make me unwelcome in your church. You can cross the street when I walk towards you. But if I choose to live differently than you, you don't have the right to impose your beliefs on me and reduce my rights. It is not your business or the Governments.

For me it boils down to keep the Government and other people's ideas of Religion out of my private life! If I choose a religious belief then it is my choice to live by those rules. If I choose to live with one woman all my life then that is my business. It is not yours, it is not the Governments, and it is not any religions business it's mine.

BTW - I have been happily married to my wife (she's a woman and I'm a man) for over twenty years.

Posted: Fri - March 5, 2004 at 07:50 PM      


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