Texans Reject Same-Sex Marriages . . . And Reality

On Tuesday, November 8, 2005 the voters of Texas took the already existing law that prohibits same-sex marriages to the next plateau - the prohibition was approved as an amendment to Texas' Constitution and, by the way, not only was same sex marriage Constitutionally nixed, the proposition also prohibited the creation of "any legal status identical or similar to marriage," such as civil unions.

The vote makes Texas the 19th state to approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Let's face reality America! Whether or not same-sex marriages are legal there will always be a 'Melissa' with two Daddies and a 'Tommy' with two mommies. Our legal system may be an awesomely powerful force in our lives but it will not change a person's sexual orientation; nor should it try to!

Marriage means commitment and commitment is supposed to be a good thing. Ideally, when two people marry they become devoted to each other's welfare and happiness. Does that change if the two people in question have the same 'equipment?' Of course not!

Only two things would change if same-sex marriages became legal:

1. Same-sex couples who are married will have the same legal standing (for inheritances, insurance and etc.) as other married couples.

   
   

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3. The mental and emotional health of many religious people will deteriorate as they realize that their religious preferences are not all reflected as the law of the land.
   
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In reality, Christian principles never have been the "law of the land."

Granted, our laws are based on the same (or nearly the same) social behaviors and four of the Ten Commandments are, in effect . . . if not in reality, still written into the law. But these social behaviors were not actually created in a Burning Bush. Those social behaviors that make up the core of our legal system pre-date religion. They are evolved behaviors from our ancient ancestors as they learned to stand upright, form communities and create a system of rules that governed those communities. Religion was a contributing factor, yes, but not the root.

But 'how about the children?' you ask!

There is a radio commercial that played recently on some of the Christian radio stations that started with a child's voice asking, "Where were you?" As the commercial unfolded, you learn that the child is asking his/her parents where they were when the rules for marriage changed. The commercial then goes on to ask the listener (this is a paraphrase): "Will you be comfortable having the schools teach your child something different than the Bible tells them?"

Putting religion aside, we should all have a real problem with anything taught at the Elementary or Middle School level that is not reading, writing, math, history, geography or government studies. These kids (and the commercial implies very young children) don't need to be made sexually aware of anything other than keeping their hands (and other body parts) to themselves and how to scream 'bloody murder' if anyone tries to talk to them or touch them inappropriately.

It may seem that I've strayed from my original subject but I haven't really. One of the main arguments you'll hear against same sex marriage is about the 'message it will send to the children.' Well, until Pfizer finishes developing an anti-gay vaccine we'll have to live with the knowledge that any one of our beloved children, regardless of their parents lifestyle or station in life, may, eventually, adopt a gay lifestyle. Who can seriously believe that a child's knowledge that there are gay individuals and couples in the world or that there are laws preventing their legal unions will increase or decrease the odds of that, in any significant way?