Sunday, November 09, 2008

What Should Be Legal?

Yesterday I met a woman at the dog park who, after hearing that I supported Prop. 8, began to rail on me. She went on and on saying things like, "I don't understand how ANYONE could support prop.8, it isn't fair!". I said, "Well, let me explain.." and I went on to explain many of the law suits that could be brought against religion if same sex marriage was allowed. She kept arguing and said, "I blame the Pastors and Preachers for this. If it wasn't for the churches, this wouldn't have passed." I said, "You are right. I really believe that if it wasn't for our efforts, it wouldn't have passed." She said, "I blame those pastors and preachers. They should be held to a higher standard." I had been trying very hard to just listen and not argue up to that point, but when she said that, I said, "We could use the same argument. We hold ALL people to a higher, godlier standard. We believe homosexuality is a sin." I told her that like it or not, that is our religious belief, and we have religious freedoms in this country. She argued back, "Should your religions freedoms come before their freedoms?" It may not have been the best phrased answer, but I said yes.

I have been thinking more about this, and have come up with some more ideas about why we don't legalize same sex marriage. In this election, the city of San Francisco voted whether or not to make prostitution legal. This proposition was strongly defeated. The majority of San Franciscans don't want prostitution legalized. But let me play devil's advocate and use the arguments I have been hearing from those who support same sex marriage.

--It isn't like prostitutes are hurting innocent people. The prostitute and the "John" are consentual adults.
--Maybe prostitutes are born with a "predisposition" to want to sell sex for money.
--Who are we to take away their freedoms?
--Why should people with religious beliefs have priority over those who dont'
--Shouldn't they have the same right to earn a living how they want, just as the rest of us do?

We don't legalize same sex marriage for many of the same reasons we don't legalize prostitution.
--Prostitution spreads sexually transmitted diseases. So does homosexuality.
--Prostitution is viewed as immoral by the majority of the people. So is homosexuality, that's why same sex marriage wasn't legalized here. It doesn't matter if others feel it is morally okay, because the voice of the people decided that we don't want either to be legal. Because we are a democratic society, we are allowed to draw moral lines, and make those legal. It's all subjective what is moral and what is not. But when the majority of the people decide, the question is over as far as the law is concerned.

I know that this issue will never die in California as long as there are any morally sensitive people left here. I quote again Alexander Pope,

"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien as to be hated needs but to be seen; yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace."

When the people of California lose their moral compass, same sex marriage will be legalized.

8 comments:

deputymomof6 said...

Morality certainly has a place in the legal system, and it is about time everyone just realizes that. Also, I don't think that everyone realized all of the ramifications that would come from legalizing same sex marriages....

Looney said...

What I feel sad for is that these people seem to view freedom as something that is only about indulging human desires. It isn't about the freedom to work, so that you can provide for your family. It isn't about the freedom to worship God in a manner or place different from someone else.

CassandraxForever said...

It's interesting to me to realize that my sister would have been married in California about 4 months ago.

I wonder what she would be dealing with right now?

I'm on the fence when it comes to homosexual unions. On the one hand, yes - nearly every religion disapproves. On the other hand - how does it really affect anyone who isn't homosexual?

My main worry is children. But then, were I in the situation of a child, I would prefer to have two moms or two dads than none at all.

Cassie

Delirious said...

Cassandra, I remember when your sister told me that she could never marry a woman because of her own religious beliefs. But then she talked to those who told her they felt it was okay. She didn't ask my opinion. I would have told her my feelings. Perhaps she knew what I would say, because she never asked me.

But this brings up an important point. Even though we don't believe in same sex marriage, we still love our brothers and sisters, no matter their sexual persuasion. Your sister was my friend, and I thought highly of her. She was a loving, giving person. That doesn't mean I agreed with her plans, but I still valued her. This is the message that the gays of today fail to hear.

Max Coutinho said...

Hi D!

First of all, congratulations that the ban won - I know you were extremely committed on this issue.

Second, I do not agree with everything you said in this post; but I respect your view point.
As you know, I don't agree with "marriage" between same sex individuals, because this word means "The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife." period.
However, I am not against legal unions (a legal contract, stating that those individuals are a couple), so that these couples may be entitled to the social benefits. They pay taxes, just like everybody, thus they deserve the social benefits.

I know what religion what says about them; but I prefer to view them as humans first; and let God judge whatever He wants (for He created them too).

About prostitution being legalised: I am totally for it; because it is a way of controlling it; and obliterating another source of money laundry.

This is a great post, not to mention challenging!

Cheers

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Max re: legalization of prostitution. Health care standards for the industry would go a long way toward improving working conditions for prostitutes.
Additionally, I want to say that comparing prostitute/client "relationships" to a committed loving NON-COERCIVE relationship between two adults is a pretty poor analogy. Prostitution is not a victimless crime; the commodification of sex is hurtful to all of us, especially those who believe sex should be about love.

Delirious said...

Prostitution is non-coercive. I don't believe that homosexuality is victimless either. I have a cousin who died of aids.

Anonymous said...

I'll withdraw "non-coercive" then. But surely, commodified sexual encounters (usually with more than one partner) cannot be equated to a committed loving sexual relationship?
And I'm sorry for the loss of your cousin, but I don't see the connection.