Maybe I’m Obtuse-

June 26, 2015

Dear Reader-

As social media blew up today as news of SCOTUS ruling in favor of same-sex marriage hit the airwaves, people from both sides of the issue came out in droves to voice their opinions. I sat back and read many of the comments, and I must be honest, I didn’t understand the haters. Most of them quoted the Bible, claiming the end of times is upon us, and those in favor of this ruling are abominations in the eyes of God. I like to think I’m a smart person, but after reading those comments, I felt obtuse. Perhaps I hadn’t read enough about the ruling to understand the implications and ramifications of how this would impact people to understand why the haters felt so strongly about this.

The more I read, the more I realized, this ruling has nothing to do with religion. It is a legal matter. No church will be forced to perform gay weddings, so I don’t understand why the religious zealots are out in droves? The Supreme Court did not say gay marriage is sanctioned by God. It did not say they would disregard the separation of church and state and force religions to accept their decision. What they did say is that states could no longer ban civil unions. How does that impact anyone negatively?

My marriage isn’t made less because my gay neighbors are married. My rights haven’t been violated by this ruling. Nothing has been taken away from me.  Haters don’t have to accept “them” into their house with their God. Their religion does not have to condone or accept their LEGAL marital status. Over and over again I see comments about the morality of America being shot to hell. I don’t understand that. How is our morality impacted by this ruling? These same arguments were made with the incorporation of the 15th Amendment. Interesting the same book in the bible that condoned slavery also condemned homosexuality.

As a Christian woman, I don’t understand the haters. I wrote a letter about this last October which you can read here, because I don’t understand how people who claim to be Christians spread hate messages. We are created in His image. We are supposed to love one another as He loves us. We are not to judge, lest we be judged. Those screaming that the time of reckoning is near, if you’re right with God, shouldn’t you be doing your happy dance?  If you believe this ruling is going to bring that day closer, shouldn’t you be celebrating rather than casting stones? I don’t mean to be obtuse, but I don’t understand how a legal ruling impacts your religion.

It doesn’t, and it shouldn’t.

This is why we have separation of church and state. Whether you are for, against, or neutral about gay marriage, the fact remains, today’s ruling guarantees everyone the LEGAL right to marry.

Maybe I’m obtuse, but I don’t understand the hate.

Elaina

To read more of Elaina’s letters, click here.

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