False Equation: Opposing Same-Sex Marriage and Opposing Interracial Marriage

[SacredCow]

by Dennis Prager

The most effective of all morality-based arguments for same-sex marriage, the one that persuades more people than any other argument, is the one that equates opposition to same-sex marriage with the old opposition to interracial marriage.

The argument, repeated so often that it sounds incontestable, is this: Just as parts of American society once had immoral laws that forbade whites and blacks from marrying, so, today, society continues to have immoral laws forbidding men from marrying men and women from marrying women. And just as decent people overthrew the former, decent people must overthrow the latter.

Thanks in large part to widespread higher education -- the higher the educational level, the more one is likely to hold this view -- vast numbers of Americans believe in this equation of sex (gender) and race.

But the equation is false.

Full column is here: http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/DennisPrager/2008/07/15/false_equation_opposing_same-sex_marriage_and_opposing_interracial_marriage?page=full&comments=true

Yet, there the conservatives were- bitching and moaning that inter-racial marriage was an abomination unto GAWD and they just weren't going to have it for the sake of our CHILDREN, dagnabbit!!!! Just how many times does society have to drag you kicking and screaming into the realm of logical thought before you think, "Hey- Maybe I'M the one being an asshat!"? Yet another "principle" and/or word of GAWD that they're going to be forced to abandon at the roadside... How can their constituents possibly take them seriously???

[Fearless]

1. I believe that flag pins are some sort of mind control device.

:eyes:

[sui generis]

2. there IS a difference.

I defy anyone to "prove" my gayness. It's not on my drivers license. It's not used to describe my tax status. I may not be as gay this week as I was last week, or vice versa.

I may not be as gay as that metro dude this morning at the gym who was using eye cream and lady breck and never once had the remotest interest in same-gender hijinks.

The difference is, being gay is an idea. A choice (technically speaking that could apply to anyone gay or not, think about it), and an adult choice that should be honored as the right of an individual to choose regardless of how we orient ourselves.

The difference is, it's not illegal for two gay people of opposite gender to get married. It's not illegal to be asexual and avoid sex, both inside and outside of marriage.

Lots of differences. Who we choose to love and live with should not be subject to the judgement of anyone, lest they be judged themselves.

[SacredCow]

4. I'll take you up on one point:

"The difference is, it's not illegal for two gay people of opposite gender to get married." No, of course that is not illegal. But consider what happens when a US citizen goes abroad and marries someone from another country and then tries to bring them back here to live. They'll likely spend the next several months (if not years or decades) having to PROVE that this is a "real" marriage and not blatant abuse of an immigration loophole. If there were ever a significant movement of gay men and gay women pairing up and marrying simply for the benefits, I would be willing to bet body parts that the same treatment would ensue- with the full endorsement of the religious right.

[Hydra]

3. The part about "The Children" reminded me of a George Carlin skit:

"Politicians hide behind three things: The Flag, The Bible and The Children."

[SacredCow]

5. So true....

Rest well, Mr. Carlin!

[Creideiki]

6. Oddly enough

No one there seems to realize that the state legislature twice passed a same-sex marriage law and that Schwarzenegger vetoed both saying that the courts should decide. Instead, this is something that the courts have forced on their poor, little uneducated souls. And California is powerful, apparently. People whining in a bunch of states that border the Gulf and Atlantic, not to mention Wisconsin.

[DarkTirade]

7. Your sigline picture has rarely been more appropriate.

:)

[SacredCow]

8. Dude, that sigline is SO often appropriate....

I need to retire it, though. I'm getting sick of looking at Dogbert.