The Snider Pad

Civil Rights Redux

Written by David Snider
Friday, 14 November 2008
I find it VERY, VERY sad, when I hear LDS members, or anyone, say “We believe that gay people should have rights, just not marriage”. Really? I’d like one of them to give me an example of a legal union that provides similar rights to marriage. Civil unions aren’t available in all states, nor do they provide the same rights. Neighboring states don’t even have to recognize civil unions like they do marriage. When did Christianity “claim” the right to the word marriage anyway? It seems ownership of that word is what this is really all about. A simple word; “Marriage”. Aren’t we really arguing semantics at this point? If religious people believe that gays and lesbians should have all the rights of marriage, just not the title, that’s a word game. It’s pointless. What’s interesting about the religious claim to marriage is that it’s a bunch of bullshit. In my research, not a single passage in the bible says, “Marriage is only available to heterosexuals”. Many forums, and chat rooms that discuss this issue resort to biblical passages that talk about god creating a partner for Adam, a helper. In these vague passages, the religious zealot’s “Interpret” that God must have meant marriage was between a man and a woman. I read comments that say “How clearer could it be?” Well it could be a lot clearer, actually. The problem with the bible is that it’s full of symbolism, which makes it open to interpretation and subjectivity. Anyone can determine whatever he or she wants from it. For example, the 9th commandment, “Though shalt not covet thy neighbors wife”; apparently coveting thy neighbor’s wife is off limits, but coveting thy neighbor’s husband is quite all right with God. Hell, He/She’s almost encouraging homosexuality right there. So, since it’s OK for you to covet your neighbor’s husband, why not Gay Marriage? IT’S RIGHT THERE IN THE BIBLE. The 9th commandment condones it!!!! ;-). Sure, I’m stretching a little here to make a point. But the point stands. It’s easy for anyone to read whatever he or she wants in the bible. As for the claim that God created marriage between a man and a woman, we are talking about the Judeao Christian God. What about the Hindu God(s)? What do they, or any other religion or culture, have to say about marriage? The fact is that every religion and culture has Marriage of some sort defined. Christians, as much as they would like to, cannot stake a claim on marriage. It’s not a Christian invention. It’s universal. God Hating Atheists are married without qualm. Why not gays? Speaking of the commandments, let’s go back to that last one. The full text I found basically said this, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Interesting comment regarding slavery don’t you think (and quite telling as well)? One thing that has held true through the ages is Man’s desire to remain superior to “somebody”. I’m better than you because I’m a Christian. I’m better than you because I’m a Muslim. I’m better than you because I live in a bigger house. I’m better than you because my skin is white. I’m better than you because I have a college degree. I’m better than you because I am attracted to the opposite sex. I’m better than you because I am more righteous. All of these prejudices come down to man’s basic desire to be better than his fellow man. That’s the root of the issue here. It reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book that I used to read to my children at night. The Sneeches. Some had stars some did not. The ones with stars looked down upon the ones who without stars. The star bellied sneeches treated the others as second-class citizens. Until the sneeches without stars found a way to get stars. After everyone had stars, the original star bellied sneeches had to find a way to be superior all over again, so they removed their stars. Then everyone removed their stars, and then re-added them. It was a vicious, never ending circle. This brings me to my next point. We are essentially at what I will call version 2.0 of the Civil Rights movement. In the 1950’s, the argument was such; “I think black people should have the right to education, just not at my school.” or “I think black people should have the right to ride the bus, just not at the front of the bus with me.” Gays and Lesbians are being discriminated against just like the African Americans in the 1950’s. This entire issue is a way for one group of people to feel superior to another group of people. It’s prejudice, plain and simple. So, in summary, I suppose I’m asking the religious people out there to stop patronizing gays and lesbians. If you really want them to have rights, then stop supporting legislation that prevents it. Stop dancing around the subject of Rights vs Marriage, because they are the same. Be honest with your self and your fellow man. Own up to your anti-gay prejudice. After all, admission of your faults is the first step to recovery.