I am continually dismayed by the number of people who seem to think that the United States should base its system of laws upon fundamentalist Christian ideals. I find this proposition frightening and disconcerting.
The constitution of our nation was specifically written to avoid favoritism towards any religion. In fact, the whole reason our country is in existence is that it afforded a safe haven for those fleeing from persecution in their homelands. The Pilgrims, the Irish immigrants of the 1800s, the Jews: they all came to America seeking a safe haven from intolerance. The United States owes its greatness to the contributions of these harried minorities.
Now in the twenty-first century, persecution of a different nature is commonplace. Discrimination and belittlement of others based upon their sexual orientation is accepted and widespread.
The Kansas gay-marriage amendment serves to exploit the prejudices of fundamentalists in order to further the political goals of unscrupulous politicians. Those who vote in favor of this thinly veiled act of egregious discrimination are no better than members of the KKK or witch-burners from the middle ages.
Those who seek to disenfranchise others of their intrinsic human rights often try to justify their bigotry by quoting the Bible (or whatever text they see fit, as long as it can be interpreted to affirm their
intolerance). Witch hunters were performing “God’s Will” when they burned tens of thousands of innocent people at the stake. Fundamentalist Muslim terrorists are fighting “God’s War”. Right-wing fundamentalists are “rooting out sexual perversion”. This kind of ignorant hatred has existed since civilization began.
So before you mindlessly vote YES on this abomination: realize that you will be perpetuating this same loathsome strain of intolerance. Isn’t it time for humanity to rise above its shameful past? Or are we doomed to repeat the mistakes that have endured for generations? I will proudly vote NO and hope that you will do the same.