I’ve Found My Next Calling
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008It appears as though equality suffered a blow yesterday, when Prop. 8 passed by a narrow margin in California. It’s a sad day when we see equality and human rights take a step backwards. But, we don’t have to sit back and accept defeat. And I’m not going to.
After a discussion with Joseph Price on Facebook, I realized that we can take this movement in a different direction, and maybe it’s the one we should have been going in the first place.
Marriage should not have a legal definition in America. Religious groups have argued that marriage belongs to them, and used that argument to ban gay marriage. Well, I say we let them have it.
I realize this is a really difficult and complicated issue. But, the government needs to get their noses out of my business. Churches should issue marriage certificates, not the County Clerk. I am no legal scholar, nor do I have all of the potential issues ironed out. And I definitely need help. This is far bigger than I am. I’m hoping to get some experts on board, and I’ve started putting out feelers to get that help.
In the meantime, share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section, after you read this article that Joseph shared with me:
WHY do people — gay or straight — need the state’s permission to marry? For most of Western history, they didn’t, because marriage was a private contract between two families. The parents’ agreement to the match, not the approval of church or state, was what confirmed its validity.
Stephanie Coontz goes on to talk about the history of marriage in America, and provides a very convincing argument that maybe it’s time for the historical tradition of marriage to make a comeback.


