When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Legal gay marriages took place in our sister state of Massachusetts yesterday, for the first time ever in these United States. I feel curiously proud it was Massachusetts with its long-time liberal traditions, home of true patriots, cradle of the American revolution and the only state that voted against Nixon-- and not California or Oregon-- that initiated this large step toward gender equity.
We are strangely disunited over this question of gay marriage. Why anyone else should care who marries whom is beyond me, but it is my impression that wherever restrictions have been placed, it's about power or protection from abuse of power. We have few examples, but the three that come to mind are: age, mental competency, and race. In the first two, there is an issue of free will, or the ability to actually exercise free will. The third instance, mixed-race marriages, could have been defended similarly (if one assumed, as they did, that 'Negroes' were inferior) -- but never was. It was defended soley on grounds of protecting the white race (from what? Not now! We will take that up later in the semester).
Here again, in the issue of gay marriage, pops up the idea of "protecting" the majority, in the so-called "defense of marriage" movement. This notion is so parallel to the race purity strain of thought that it is chilling. It reeks of Klan and Nazi and no right-thinking person should be taken in by it.
Yes. Yes, yes they are, Mr. Drinkwine, but so are other people. Normal does not mean universal. God made redheads, but not everyone is one. That doesnt make them unnatural.
And now, to all the newlyweds: my congratulations and blessings, and hope for a long and happy life, a life without too many hassles.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Love Makes a Family
Legal gay marriages took place in our sister state of Massachusetts yesterday, for the first time ever in these United States. I feel curiously proud it was Massachusetts with its long-time liberal traditions, home of true patriots, cradle of the American revolution and the only state that voted against Nixon-- and not California or Oregon-- that initiated this large step toward gender equity.
We are strangely disunited over this question of gay marriage. Why anyone else should care who marries whom is beyond me, but it is my impression that wherever restrictions have been placed, it's about power or protection from abuse of power. We have few examples, but the three that come to mind are: age, mental competency, and race. In the first two, there is an issue of free will, or the ability to actually exercise free will. The third instance, mixed-race marriages, could have been defended similarly (if one assumed, as they did, that 'Negroes' were inferior) -- but never was. It was defended soley on grounds of protecting the white race (from what? Not now! We will take that up later in the semester).
Here again, in the issue of gay marriage, pops up the idea of "protecting" the majority, in the so-called "defense of marriage" movement. This notion is so parallel to the race purity strain of thought that it is chilling. It reeks of Klan and Nazi and no right-thinking person should be taken in by it.
The arguments.
Let's look at some of the objections to same-sex marriage.Thomas Drinkwine in Rehoboth, who said he works in a liquor store, said he was embarrassed that the state legalized gay marriage. I believe that a man and a woman are meant to fit together, physically and emotional, he said. -- NY Times, 5-18-04)
Yes. Yes, yes they are, Mr. Drinkwine, but so are other people. Normal does not mean universal. God made redheads, but not everyone is one. That doesnt make them unnatural.
In Boston, where large crowds of gay marriage supporters cheered each same-sex couple as they left City Hall, a small group of opponents from Washington, D.C., knelt to pray on a banner that said, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we hope you keep the family holy. -- NY Times, againWell, opponents, I hope you recall that you are praying to someone who -- if the stories we read are accurate-- had premarital sex and became pregnant, and married a man who wasn't the father of her child. And we thought the purpose of marriage was to produce children! Hmph, looks like children are produced aplenty without the benefit of marriage. Joseph took on the raising of that child, who was not his own. Anyone see any parallels here with gay adoptions?
In Worcester, Melissa Keough, a bible college student who stood with half a dozen other protesters, said God loves these people, but he doesn't want them to live this lifestyle. --NY Times, againMelissa, why are you and other Christians so fixated on the strictures of the Old Testament? Move into the New, honey and remember that the biggest commandment of all is to love your neighbor as yourself -- that means, flaws and all. If they ask your advice about how to live their lives, offer it-- lovingly-- but otherwise, shutup.
And now, to all the newlyweds: my congratulations and blessings, and hope for a long and happy life, a life without too many hassles.
Palema
6:48 AM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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