Conason: Gay Marriage Foes Wedded to Hypocrisy

[CatWoman]

Introducing logic into religious discussion is considered terribly impolite, but the uproar over gay marriage makes such rudeness unavoidable. Many conservatives—particularly those affiliated with the religious right—insist that the Bible prohibits tolerance of homosexuals and makes same-sex civil marriage an abomination. And some liberals, too, say they cannot endorse full equality for gays in marriage, because doing so would violate their faith.

These arguments from both ends of the political spectrum are no doubt deeply sincere. On closer inspection, however, they’re also profoundly hypocritical.

First consider John Kerry, almost certain to become the first Catholic politician nominated for President by a major party since 1960. The Massachusetts Senator twice voiced his opposition to restrictions on gay marriage, at the federal and state levels, because he believed that such legislation would deprive gay couples of equal rights under the law. Now he says that although he still opposes amending the Constitution, he might support a carefully worded amendment to his state’s charter that would reserve marriage for heterosexual union. According to him, the states should be free from interference by the federal government on this issue.

Mr. Kerry has said he opposes gay marriage as a matter of "personal belief." If his belief stems from religious commitment, then he should explain why he has adopted strong positions on reproductive rights (and gay rights) that clearly violate the teachings of his church.

http://www.observer.com/pages/conason.asp

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Personal Belief does not equal Roman Catholic Church law

I'd like JFK to start breathing some fire, too, but he's waiting to see what kind of firepower Team Bush has.

--bkl