HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Today, the United States Supreme Court is hearing the case for legalization of Gay marriage.  Without a  doubt, this topic is in hot debate in living rooms and across dinner tables throughout our great country.

The decision will shape the future of our country, just as the 13th Amendment did so back in 1865.

Incidentally, I watched the movie "Lincoln" today and the parallels between the two issues are thought provoking to say the least.

Rhetoric spoken by our fore fathers debating the 13th Amendment - Abolition of Slavery:
(quotations take from the movie "Lincoln" which is not a historical document, but a Hollywood movie. I do, however, firmly believe much of what is contained within, were the thoughts and feelings of our forefathers)

"Niggers are an abomination of the Lord"

"Coloreds are not natural"

"What do you want next, women the right to vote?"

"It's a rash and dangerous amendment"

"You shall oppose this amendment and any legislation that so affronts natural law, insulting to God as to man.  Congress must never declare equal that whom God created unequal."

"What is un-natural?  Negroes casting ballots? Negro representatives are natural? Intermarriage?"

"all men should be created equal, without threat of forced servitude"

Rhetoric spoken today:

"gays are against the Lord"

"God did not intend for woman to woman or man to man unions?

"It's not natural"

"I apologize for those who feel offended, " Mr Grisanti (Senator from New York) said, adding, "I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this State, the State of New York, and these people who make this great State that it is the same rights that I have with my wife" - NEW YORK TIMES, June 24, 2011 by:  Nicholas Confessore & Michael Barbard

Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost fighting over this issue during the Civil War.  Will it come to that again over gay marriage?  I sincerely hope and pray that it does not, that we have evolved as a race to handle our differences in more humane and gentlemanly ways.  But the moral question raised in both topics leaves me at a crossroads.

Under no circumstances, could I look an African American in the eye and proclaim I am a superior race, entitled to civil liberties and rights they should not share.  We were both created by the same God Almighty.  I honestly believe in equality among all men/women and children in our great country.

With that being said, I also believe God intended for marriage to be between a man and a woman.  The sanctity of that union gifted with reproduction.  In my opinion, if He had in mind something different, back the beginning, He would have created a mate for Adam that would not have been so different from himself.  And then there's Leviticus 18:22, or Leviticus 20:13, or 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 or Romans 1:26-28 which leaves little doubt on how God perceives sexuality.

However, I cannot imagine standing before a gay person and looking them in the eye and proclaiming I have certain rights and civil liberties that they cannot share, they should not be afforded the same legalities afforded to me by marriage because they are different.  Nor do I have the strength of conviction to shun them based on the scriptures noted above.  Again, I feel that is judgmental and shunning a person from the flock guarantees you will have NO influence on the path to righteousness.  Does that make me a coward because I don't force my thoughts and opinions on them?  Or am I loving my neighbor?

I do not believe you are homosexual by choice - that preference is ingrained in a person like their preference for broccoli or lima beans.  You either like them or you don't.  I do think living a Homosexual lifestyle is a choice.  You can find companionship to spend your life that will be fulfilling in every way except sexually.  Is that asking a great deal of someone who is homosexual?  Absolutely, but so is asking a drug addict or an alcoholic not to get high, or not to have another drink.  Is it too much to ask of Priests and Nuns? Every person has a choice what lifestyle they choose.

I am, however, sympathetic to gay couples who have committed to each other who cannot visit each other in ICU, or pay extra for health insurance etc.

So where do I stand:  I do not feel it is my right to judge the morality of Homosexuality.  That judgement will be made by God at the end of life.  Therefore, I see no issue with allowing the legal rights to Gay couples and let them be judged as they may by their maker.  Will it perpetuate the moral degradation of our country?  No, legalized or not, people will continue to be gay.

What do I feel strongly about?  Our government getting involved in moral issues that are quite frankly none of anyone's business but my own and with my maker.  I.e. - abortion, prayer in school, etc.  Stop governing my right over my body and my right to express my religious beliefs where and when I want to (and to further protect those rights for my child).  I will stand in judgement before my God on decisions I make on this earth.  No governing body can change the judgement handed down to me on that day.  It is my responsibility to live a Godly existence that will be deserving of the place He has reserved for me.

I am understand both sides of the issue, but I leave you with the wording from our Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.  Do you see any correlation?  Should gay marriage be legalized, is that saying that our Highest court is deeming traditional marriage as unconstitutional?

The Emancipation Proclamation
January 1, 1863

A Transcription

By the President of the United States of America:

A Proclamation.

Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:

"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

"That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States."

Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit:

Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.