The Right to Love
The Right to Love
It blows my mind that so many people in our free country have to battle for the same rights as their oppressors.
Many people oppose same-sex marriage because they believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. And you know what? That's great! I appreciate all people who are passionate about their beliefs, and if they think that is what's "right" then they are entitled to their opinions.
But here's the thing folks...since when is the United States of America founded on equal freedoms for all as long as it's okay with everyone else? I respect the perceptions of those with different experiences than me, but I expect those people to respect my values in return.
“Love is the most beautiful thing we have, and it deserves to be celebrated and cherished.”
Sadly there are still people living in our country that believe other types of people like women, African-Americans, Hispanics, etc. should not be allowed equal rights. Can you imagine if we let those people decide the rights of minority groups? That is what we are doing now by letting the opinions of some dictate the rights of all.
If a Caucasian woman does not believe in interracial marriage, then she can chase white men. If a straight male does not believe in same-sex marriage, then he can keep going after the ladies. If a Christian does not think the values of other religions should be followed, then they can continue to follow the values important to them. But no one should have their rights taken away just because they are in love.
How easy is it for a straight male or female to say that same-sex marriage should be illegal, when they have the right to marry who they love whenever they want? Their basic rights are not being challenged. They are attempting to take something away from others that they will never have to live without.
We will never know peace until we believe that we are all created equal human beings. We are all a piece of one species that spread out to explore this whole planet and beyond. To quote the lovely Maya Angelou, we are truly a part of one "Human Family,"
"We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike."
One hundred years ago, because I am a woman, I would not have been able to VOTE in this country. Fifty years ago, I would not have been able to marry someone of a different RACE.
Those limitations seem outrageous to us in this generation. But now, if I fall in love with a woman, my consequence is no different from those of our past.
I sincerely hope that years from now we can look back at this decade and think about how preposterous it was that basic rights were still being fought for by so many people. I'm sure you know of a time when this nation considered those of darker skin inferior to those of lighter skin? Disturbing.
I have heard countless times that "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin." We are all supposed to trust a book that's been passed down and altered for centuries, rather than looking at good people right in front of us.
Some people are born tall, short, fat, thin, dark, light, gay, straight. If the Bible told you that people born with a light hair color are an abomination, would you suddenly think differently of every blonde you saw?
And what about all of the other "rules" the Bible declares? If we are to follow this text, regardless of how our culture changes over centuries, then why is it only certain guidelines are taken seriously, and others are not? What about 1 Corinthians 14:34 that forbids women to speak in church? Is there a pattern to what counts as credible and what doesn't, or does the decision have everything to do with the opinions of the people in charge?
Now let's go beyond the fact that some people try to force their personal religion on the whole country and decide that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. "A marriage between two people of the same sex would be a sin," they say. So what about heterosexual couples that don't have religious weddings? Religion may not play a role in their life, and yet they are still allowed to wed. Now what about homosexual couples that are religious and wish to be married? If from a religious standpoint marriage should be a religious union, why is it that a heterosexual atheist couple can marry, but a homosexual Christian couple cannot?
Love is the most beautiful thing we have, and it deserves to be celebrated and cherished. There is too much hate in this world to put limits on those that still know how to trust others, make commitments, and truly love someone.