I am SO excited today – much work left to be done in many directions, (racial disparity, gun violence and equal pay for women, to name a few) but it’s such a huge step forward and a true cause for celebration!
Oh – what am I talking about? Right – this may be read on another day or by someone who hasn’t heard yet. (Is that last possible?) Today, the Supreme Court overturned various states’ bans on same-sex marriage and made marriage equality the Law of the Land. I heard the announcement while I was driving to work, and found myself in tears and thinking of so many friends and friends-of-friends who are no longer among us and didn’t get to live to see this day, or to marry the person they loved. Joy and sadness… but the joy is overwhelming.
I received a petition request (this one) in my inbox a few hours after The Decision, and I hit the link to sign it. It’s actually surprised me how effective these can be, and Lord knows I like to share my opinions. The email I received started with this:
The Supreme Court just made history, establishing marriage equality as the law of the land. The religious right is already erupting into hysterics, declaring that “Satan is dancing with delight.” Mike Huckabee claims the decision is repealing “the laws of nature and nature’s God.” The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says it’s “profoundly immoral” and that it will harm children.
The petition form I signed asked me whether I’d like to add a personal comment (that opinion thing again – of course I did) and once I had, it asked me to share all this through social media, to show that not all Christians feel the need to discriminate on the basis of sexual preference. I don’t tweet or Instagram or whatnot, so I clicked on the Facebook icon… and then knew this would take a little explaining. Here is what I posted to Facebookistan and all those friends and family of mine who inhabit it. Well, and to anyone else who happens upon them – perhaps those even more.
So before my secular friends and those of various other faiths look down to the bottom of this post and ask why I feel the need to be supportive specifically “as a Christian”… I add my voice in as a Christian to counteract the evil, hateful rhetoric being slung by some outspoken Christians whose views I do not support, and who don’t speak for me (or my church – or I would not have become a member). Jesus taught love, not hatred.
So “as a Christian” (as well as, as a human being): Granting marriage equality in no way harms children or families – in fact, it helps and heals them in many ways including “legitimizing” children born to or adopted by same-sex couples*, which I would think Catholics should support. As far as Christian Biblical citations: Jesus never said anything against (or about) homosexuality. He said to love God, who is in everything (and we in God – Episcopalians are fond of saying, “… in whom we live and move and have our being”) and love your “neighbor”, who is everyone. This ruling was and is about treating human beings with respect and correcting a dire wrong against innocent people that has been perpetuated for far too long. The healing process has begun, and as Jesus taught… Love wins.
If you are of like mind, please do “like”, share, discuss, forward and/or sign this petition… it’s about time our voices were heard.
I am an Episcopalian and a happy member of the Christian Left – and I approve this message.
* …and allows them to be step-parents and legal guardians of their spouse’s children, to advocate for each other and their children in times of medical or other crises, not to mention being given the respect and dignity that straight Americans and their families have enjoyed since the founding of the country)… and more…
/6/26/15