GAY MARRIAGE & UNION (PART 2)

Karl Hahn’s comments on February 28, 2006 under my posting titled “Free Speech Has It’s Limits” are really directed at my February 7, 2006 posting titled “Gay Marriage Is Wrong”. Karl is concerned about having too many laws and losing freedom. I do not believe that my position on gay marriage affects anyone’s freedom other than those who feel homosexual acts are wrong. I feel strongly enough about this that I will address his points in this posting.

We are a nation of laws. Some states, such as Virginia, still have laws that make sex between same-sex couple illegal. I have not heard of this law being enforced for a long time. It may be a bad law; however, I must admit it does not bother me. In most states the police cannot use homosexual activity as a reason to break into someone’s home. I believe most Americans are not in favor of having this law.

Karl’s statement “So we permit homosexual activity "behind closed doors," but we do not allow these folks to express their care and concern for each other in public?” Karl is wrong! There are no laws that prevent these public displays of affection. Most people are appalled at the sight of a gay couple publicly showing their affection for each other. That is the main reason you don’t see it. On the other hand, there are places such as gay bars and gay restaurants that cater to the homosexual community where this behavior probably can be seen. I might add this is more than they deserve.

Karl is right when he says that hospitals have rules that limit visitors to immediate family when someone is seriously ill. Having someone allowed to visit and provide support at such times can be very helpful. This can be hard on a gay couple. Their life style is so wrong that many people just don’t care. Someone who is heterosexual but does not have family living in the area to visit them has the same problem. We must note that this is a hospital rule and not the law. Most hospitals are willing to work with people in this situation, especially when arrangements are made ahead of time. Sudden emergencies are another issue. We are all dependent on human kindness in these situations.

Where do we draw the line with respect to gay rights. Karl Hahn appears to be totally tolerant of gays and supportive of gay marriage. He feels that gay couples should be allow to adopt a child or bring children into their gay lifestyle. He points out that many heterosexual parents do a poor job of raising children. The school I attended indicated that two wrong don’t make a right. Heterosexual parents who abuse their children are covered by law. Granted, the law favors the parents and in many cases abuse may be hard for officials to prove, but society is trying to address the issues of protecting children. (This could also lead to another posting all by itself.)

One can look at homosexuality as a mental illness. Same-sex friends can share a lot of emotions, including love. This does not include sex. When same-sex friends cross the line and have sex, they are sinning and that is wrong. In our liberal society we tend to say ‘if I do it or if enough people do it, it must be acceptable’. For example, how many people get a deserved traffic ticket and get upset with the police officer ticketing them! Just because I say a homosexual act when committed in the privacy of one’s home should not be against the law does not mean it is acceptable or good behavior. Acknowledging gay marriage or unions amounts to society saying these union are acceptable. That is the message I do not want our children to receive at any level. Making gay unions legal has other effects on society. Employers who provide health insurance to their employees will have to cover a gay partner the same as a spouse. This will drive up the costs to the employer and all of us. Many small companies will be faced with having to hire fewer people or reducing the employer’s share of the insurance. This would be one more thing pushing us closer to socialized medicine. (Again this is another subject for a latter time.)

As far as the question of gay couples being good parents: Can couples who do not recognize their sexual acts as wrong, be good role models for a child? NO! If you consider homosexuality a mental illness, that is another strike against them. Is it worth the risk to a child? NO! Saying that gay couples are no worse than some heterosexual couples is no justification.

This is not a religious question. This is a question of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. In fact, if those who believe in God and believe gay marriage is wrong allow the government to give it legal status, they are allowing the government into religion.