Archives » Friday, October 31, 2008
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Kurt Soller
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Oct 31, 2008 10:17 PM
After NEWSWEEK editor David Jefferson married his partner, he wrote a story about gay marriage and the fight over Proposition 8
in his home state, California. It was a piece that delved into his
reasons for wanting to get married as well his fears that his new title
as “spouse” could be stripped from him come Tuesday. Many of you out
there called the piece “beautiful,” and “eye-opening.”
Those
aren’t really debatable points; instead, many self-identified
Christians wrote on both sides of the gay marriage debate, evoking
bible passages while others rebuked them. I was shocked by how many of
the comments ended with either “I voted Yes” or “I voted No”
on Proposition 8, a subtle implication that many of the readers who
commented on this story didn’t just care about gay rights; they cared
about California. “Sorry, but it isn’t about civil rights,” wrote one reader.
“The California State Constitution already guarantees all the same
rights enjoyed by married couples to domestic partners. It's about not
letting a very small minority redefine marriage for the rest of us and
not letting them force their agenda on our children.”
The
argument that children will be force-fed a gay marriage agenda in their
elementary schools is one that David addresses in his own piece, and
one that several latched on to when commenting. So, too, was the
somewhat related argument that marriage is about producing and raising
kids. “The whole argument that marriage is for raising children is entirely ridiculous,” wrote one commenter. “So
every couple who is infertile should get divorced, every second
marriage where the wife is past menopause should be prevented, etc.
Marriage in the modern society is about about love, honor, and
commitment. Or it is supposed to be. And somehow I know more homosexual
couples that can manage those things without a wedding ring than
straight couples who can with one.” Strong words, yes, but only as strong as those from the other side:
“Nowhere...NOWHERE! .... in scriptures ancient or modern has God EVER
said that the practice of homosexual desires is morally acceptable.”
If
you’re noticing that very few of the comments actually had to do with
David’s piece, then you’re right. Instead, we’re talking about sin: “As a Christian, I don't think it's the Churches right to judge or tell gays what to do,” responded a reader.
“God is the only one who should be judging. I am so tired of these
so-called Christians quoting bible scriptures to prove their point. I
am tired of the silly rallies. Kids standing on the corner with signs.
It's annoying! My other concern is once we start telling gays what to
do, what's next?”
But if you’re one of the readers who would
rather this wasn’t a conversation that invoked Christ, here’s this from
a decidedly younger reader: “hey dude, if you're against gay marriage, don't marry another man,” he says. “If you think homosexuality is a sin, then don't practice it. It’s that simple.” Perhaps it is, but maybe it isn’t… what do you think will happen with Proposition 8 on Tuesday?
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