As far as I can tell there are only three arguments for denying adults the right to spend the rest of their lives with the person they want. The first is based on tradition. That is to say, that we cannot change something that we’ve had for so long. The idea that we can’t change tradition is well, wrong. We can and have. There’s quite a list of traditions that have been changed over time. Slavery, women’s rights, even things like monarchies were all traditions we no longer have. So the argument for tradition doesn’t really hold up well.
Then there’s religion. Judeo-Christian belief, a belief that is not universally believed in, a belief whose rules are not universally followed is used to deny people right to marry whom they please. It is, after all, against the bible to eat pork, and shellfish. There is an entire book, Leviticus, dedicated to the many rules and laws that should be followed yet many of Christian faith don’t. Are all Americans expected to follow one rule out the Bible while the Church’s own followers refuse to follow the rules themselves?
Finally there’s the constitution. I will give you that nowhere does it appear that gays have a right to marriage, but by the same token nowhere does it appear that you can deny this right. Also there is a reason courts exist. Courts exist to check that our laws are upheld; otherwise the Supreme Court would be out of a job. There is a reason for courts and that’s to make sure that no one, not citizens, politicians, or presidents go against the constitution.
Read the BDN Opinions, and let me know what you think.
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