Demand equality for all, not just one
Adam Brown
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Opinion
On Election Day, Proposition 8 was voted on and passed by a majority of the people of California. Mary Mitchell, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist, described Proposition 8 by writing, "Proposition 8 asked voters to affirm that marriage is solely between a man and a woman. It passed with 52 percent of the vote."
What's most interesting is 51 percent of white registered voters rejected Proposition 8, while 70 percent of registered black voters voted in favor of Proposition 8, according to "Blackout on Proposition 8" by Rod McCullom. I realize it happened only in California, but how can a group of people demand equal rights and deny the same to others? The black community has come a long way as far as attaining equal rights. It wasn't until 1948 when the California Supreme Court abolished a law prohibiting interracial marriage in the Perez v. Sharp case.
Why would a group of people that continue to fight for equal rights deny others the same rights? If anything, encouragement and inspiration should be given to those who are trying to attain equality.
The main reason why Proposition 8 passed is due to biblical religious beliefs. As well as looking down on homosexuality, slavery, strong class hierarchy and bigamy were common beliefs and accepted practices in biblical days. Would we be justified now if we believe and practice any of these due to our religious beliefs? Would Governor George Wallace have been justified if he had stood in front of the doors to the University of Alabama denying black students to register for classes due to his religious beliefs?
Leslie Seppinni, a writer for the Mental Health Examiner, says, "Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares, 'Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to find a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.'" How can same sex marriage be an issue with anyone, as long as there is consent and all laws, such as statutory rape and abuses in all forms, are abided by?
A lot of people reason it is a choice to be homosexual and that it is somehow justifiable to discriminate against their lifestyle and to deny them equal treatment. So what; do their choices hurt anyone? Is this group of people any less deserving than the next?
Why can a group of people be given equal rights, as long as it does not upset the normalcy? Allowing same-sex marriages may even lead to one of the three unalienable rights: "the pursuit of happiness."
Let's evolve past petty differences and accept our fellow humans for who they are and how they choose to live regardless of race, religion, sex or sexual preference.
What's most interesting is 51 percent of white registered voters rejected Proposition 8, while 70 percent of registered black voters voted in favor of Proposition 8, according to "Blackout on Proposition 8" by Rod McCullom. I realize it happened only in California, but how can a group of people demand equal rights and deny the same to others? The black community has come a long way as far as attaining equal rights. It wasn't until 1948 when the California Supreme Court abolished a law prohibiting interracial marriage in the Perez v. Sharp case.
Why would a group of people that continue to fight for equal rights deny others the same rights? If anything, encouragement and inspiration should be given to those who are trying to attain equality.
The main reason why Proposition 8 passed is due to biblical religious beliefs. As well as looking down on homosexuality, slavery, strong class hierarchy and bigamy were common beliefs and accepted practices in biblical days. Would we be justified now if we believe and practice any of these due to our religious beliefs? Would Governor George Wallace have been justified if he had stood in front of the doors to the University of Alabama denying black students to register for classes due to his religious beliefs?
Leslie Seppinni, a writer for the Mental Health Examiner, says, "Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares, 'Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to find a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.'" How can same sex marriage be an issue with anyone, as long as there is consent and all laws, such as statutory rape and abuses in all forms, are abided by?
A lot of people reason it is a choice to be homosexual and that it is somehow justifiable to discriminate against their lifestyle and to deny them equal treatment. So what; do their choices hurt anyone? Is this group of people any less deserving than the next?
Why can a group of people be given equal rights, as long as it does not upset the normalcy? Allowing same-sex marriages may even lead to one of the three unalienable rights: "the pursuit of happiness."
Let's evolve past petty differences and accept our fellow humans for who they are and how they choose to live regardless of race, religion, sex or sexual preference.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gordon Pogue
posted 12/01/08 @ 10:18 AM CST
Adam; The reason we came to this country was to be free of religious persecution...Our country was founded on the principles of separation of church and state. (Continued…)
K W Barnes
posted 12/08/08 @ 10:58 PM CST
Does hipocracy know no limits? Apparently not. Why is it we feel it is alright to pick and choose the parts of the bible we wave around like a banner of morality? Is there a verse in the Bible somewhere where He says it is ok? I think not. (Continued…)
get-Over-It
posted 12/09/08 @ 4:22 PM CST
Whine, Whine, Whine! This is not the first time California refused marriage by homosexuals--the state voted, the homosexual marriage agenda failed, get over it already! And, BTW, homosexuals are NOT being treated the same way African-Americans have been (and still are)treated by discrimination. (Continued…)
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