Monday, June 26, 2006

Gay Marriage

Gay Marriage. 

States rights issue!

But Budd, how can an issue such as that be relegated to 50 different states where the decisions could all be somewhat different?

Ah, I am so glad you asked.  You see, each state was delegated every power not specifically given to the federal government in the constitution.  This is so each state could cater to the needs of its citizens, be that religiously or by customs. 

State religion?  Doesn't that violate church and state separation and the first amendment?

The constitution does allow for states to have a religion.  The first amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.  It doesn't say state government in there anywhere. And just what does the first half of that clause mean anyway?  Well it can be read two ways.  The wrong way would read that congress can not make laws in respect to the religious establishment.  The right way with historical context is that the British govt(bad guys at the time) had set up the church of England and prosecuted Catholics, Quakers, and others. The founders did not want the same thing to happen here.  So we get that there can not be a church created by congress. 

Where are you going with this, are you saying religion should get same sex marriages banned?

I think the beauty of the system set up by our very intelligent founding fathers allows for people to live in places where there beliefs and customs are respected.  The states, much smaller than the federal govt, Have the power to dictate policies that represent their people.  So people in California are not controlled by the beliefs of those in TN.  Likewise,  California beliefs  would not dictate the policies of TN. 

Shouldn't you be able to live anywhere and still believe and behave in any way you want?

Then why have a government at all!

So what is your personal stance?

I think gay marriage would eventually lead to gay divorce, and we can all agree that divorce is bad!

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1 comment:

Princesskasren said...

Yeah but gay marriage and homosexuality isn't a belief it just is...you should be able to sleep with and commit to whomever you choose whether you are in California or any of the other American stares and the world.