Gather 'round Ye Watchers

by: Amicus

Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 01:58:46 AM EST

I was moved by Thurman Hart's post, here, reaching out to hard hearted Christians.

I post this, in sympathy with that, to assist people in making up their own minds on the issue. I do so tentatively but willingly, nevertheless, because now is the time. This is written using terms or language that some will recognize, but others might find odd.

I hope people find this consistent with Senator Baroni's 'balance of liberties' formulation, which I think should be admired by Republicans and Democrats alike.

On Monday, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in New Jersey asked, as time wore on, "does anyone waiting to testify have something new to add?"

I do, especially for the Christians.

Amicus :: Gather 'round Ye Watchers

Rather than what the NOM New Jersey chairman asked, "What is the meaning of marriage?", I submit legislators should ask themselves, "What is the appropriate public policy, in the event that we are wrong about our personal judgments?"

Christ left clear "instructions" for decision making under uncertainty: Love one another and love the Father with all your heart (i.e. have humility).

If you can admit the possibility - the possibility - that homosexuality is not a choice for some, that it is, in fact, some part of God's good creation, natural for some, then the course is clear. Humility and love would suggest making way in a just society for genuine expression of this kind.

Why? Because if one is wrong about making way, the harm is to the individuals, at most; and it is an inscrutable harm, as well, a question of conscience before God, as there is no worthy evidence that gay and lesbian people cannot live enlisted in the good fight. Any narrow purposes of the state remain fully served; their import for nongays, undiminished.

The idea that society or civilization crumble on the heels of this "mercy" is ludicrous, on face, and a vicious twisting of facts, at its worst. The real threat to civil society from sexual relations can be plainly articulated in other terms and should be fought by conservatives and progressives, orthodox and reform, alike.

This is why the retained, examined prejudice of some against gays and lesbians is NOT fully informative for public policy, is potentially gravely wrong, arrogant, bigoted, and hate-filled, to the extent that it is enforced by civil law or preached without care to its caustic consequences on gays and lesbians, especially the gay and lesbian kids.

Only with your heart will you see clearly the truth, that cries out through all the testimony you hear today.

Listen. Open your heart. Vote "Yes", without hesitation, knowing that it is the wise thing to do.