The last time religious doctrine was used to justify discrimination in marriage, it didn't go so well.Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix. Lest you think that's a quote from some fringe racist religious nut, you should know it's actually a 1959 quote from Judge Leon Bazile in the Loving v. Virginia lawsuit whose decision was ultimately reversed nearly a decade later by the Supreme Court, which granted the freedom to marry to couples regardless of race, and regardless of the individual religious beliefs of some who disagreed with that decision. Certainly those who objected at the time had the right to their opinions. But, they didn't get to decide the law.
Fast-forward to 2009, and we hear this weekend from the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey in a letter on marriage: God who created man and woman out of love also calls him to love - the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is Himself love. Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. The letter goes on to present the Catholic Church's official position regarding the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. It is opposed, much as it is opposed to marriage between Catholics and people of different religions. Great. Again, those who agree with this certainly have the right to their opinion. Of course, other religions are not opposed to marrying two people of the same sex, or of different religions. Also great.
The diversity of religious views in America is part of what makes our country great. It's also why the marriage equality bill awaiting action by New Jersey's legislature explicitly states that no religious institution, in accordance with their first amendment right to free exercise, will be required to perform or religiously recognize the civil marriages which the law authorizes.
This is a nation and a state which has always cherished the separation of church and state, and has suffered when it has forgotten the difference.
Maybe you have time this Thursday, December 3rd, to remind your legislators of that by going to Trenton and demanding that the marriage equality bill is posted this legislative session. Just show up at 110 W. State Street, Trenton NJ 08608, beginning at 8am, and lend your voice to the chorus of people who respect both religious freedom and equality under the law. |
