You cannot force your "rights" on my beliefs.
I was inspired by a recent article....see link below.
Link
Is it right for gay people to be gay? That *is* their right. No one should be able to beat them, kill them, harm them, harass them, force them to accept unlawly legislation that makes them heterosexual due to someone else being intolerant of them, or in some other way target them based on their sexuality. They have their individual right to be gay, as human beings.
Christianity's viewpoint on homosexuality. That is *their* right. No one should be able to persecute, harass, kill, harm, maim, or force legislation on them to accept homosexuality. It just isn't right. The institution of marriage was around long before the United States of America..and it has always been a religious ceremony. Not always Christian, to be sure. However now homosexuals want to manipulate the laws to force them to be accepted, by others, into the SAME CEREMONY that has been a religious event for centuries..then scream out persecution when opposed. Now, sure..you may not be a religious zealot, even a fair minded individual who finds it silly that there could be discourse in regards to the institution of marriage, but when is enough enough?
How far can a loud vocal minority push around society and have its way with politics? Same with other religious beliefs. I say worship whomever, whatever, and whenever you choose. That does not give you the right to step on the MAJORITY's belief system because it offends your's. The LAW protects you from being tormented or persecuted for your beliefs..you won't be burned at the stake..HOWEVER it does NOT in any language, in any contract, allow you to force your opinions on others, or say people who aren't of your faith MUST ACCEPT YOU. They have to tolerate you, at best. Many people forget that when they argue everything from religion, sexuality, even to race.
As part of my religious beliefs, there is an unwavering point that influences everything else. I am not refering to the existence of God or theocratic ideals, just the belief that we all have been given Free Agency. Specifically, the Right to Choose. I fully accept that if someone feels the desire to be gay or have an abortion or anything else, that is THIER CHOICE. They hvae the right to choose and the right to face the consequenses of thier actions and decisions. So noone should feel the need to point out that I believe you have the "right" to choose to kill someone. That is true....you have the right to make that choice, you also have the right to face the consequenses.
But that's not what this article is about.....Everyone has the God-given (argue God later) right to choose.
Does that mean I have the right to force my beliefs on others? No. I should never FORCE anyone to live against their will. I should not try to remove their right to choose. It would be wrong for me to kill all girls who walk into an abortion clinic because I believe it is wrong. Obviously because this is an imperfect and differing society, we must have laws and standards.
That's where the debate begins. Do I have the right to worship the way I want? Sure. What if my worship infringes on someone else? Say, I feel the need to wander the streets naked, what then? Or I think those who are not "saved" should be killed? Should my beliefs be forced on those who do not want to belief in them? I am in support of the government and the need for standards, what I don't like is the attempted warping of MY beliefs to fit another's version of how they want life to be.
Should I allow someone to force me to change my religious beliefs because they don't agree? Marriage, for example. Should I be forced to change MY definition of marriage because someone who does not fit into that category wants to be included?
I strongly resent anyone who thinks that the definition of marriage should be altered because it does not currently include them. I don't demand that I be allowed to be in the NAACP....I'm not black. I don't fit the definition. I can't try to push my way into a group that I don't belong to just because I am excluded. I can kick and scream all day long, but I will never be black. I am not eligible for parpalegic scholarships or programs for the musically gifted individuals. Why? Because I dont' fit the criteria for that group.
So why should others feel that they can change MY beliefs because it does not incluede them? I don't think that MY marriage should be removed from the religious beliefs I hold. It is not just a contract to me. It is a binding agreement between my husband, myself and God. This is not a cable contract that I can break because I changed my mind. I want to keep that religious connection sacred.
...homosexuals want to manipulate the laws to force them to be accepted, by others, into the SAME CEREMONY that has been a religious event for centuries..then scream out persecution when opposed. By forcing the definition of marriage to change, it would move my sacred covenant to little more than a buisness contract.
You want to be "married"? Then follow established guidelines and standards. You don't want to follow that? Well, then you don't want "marriage"....you want privliges that come with membership in a group.....a group that you CHOOSE not to join based on the criteria for participation. i don't get handicapped parking privliges...I'M NOT HANDICAPPED! Plain and simple.
You want a tax break? Start a buisness. You want someone to visit you in the hospital? Fill out a living will. But don't try to override my rights to choose to make a religious ceremony a central part of my life.
as a side note......If gay marriage is legalized, then would churches be forced to acknowlege that? Or would they be considered discriminatory for abiding by religious beliefs? Would they then be forced into legal battles over religious standards within their church? Could anyone then force their desires on an institution, attempting to legally implement changes?