It really is amazing listening to the debate about marriage equality. The fact that so many feel gays and lesbians getting married affects them personally and goes against their personal religion really is quite incredible. The argument that a marriage between two people affects anyone besides those two people is just ridiculous. However, there they are– these “defenders” of marriage.
But here’s the thing — when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of the ACTUAL institution of marriage. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with religion. I mean, of course, it can in your personal life, and you can have a wedding at a church and exchange your personal vows under whatever God you want if that suits your fancy, but in regards to what marriage actually is, religion isn’t required.
If you need further proof of this, here are some reasons that may open your eyes to the actual institution of marriage, and why marriage equality is so necessary.
The most obvious reason marriage has nothing to do with religion is the fact that marriage certificates are not given out by the church, they are given out by the state. “By the power invested in me, by the state of _____, I now pronounce you…. ” The power isn’t granted by God, it’s granted by government. So when certain states took it upon themselves to deny marriage to specific individuals based upon sexual orientation, it’s in direct violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. And with the government granted marriage certificate comes over 1,100 rights and protections. Yes, 1,100. That’s a big number, isn’t it? That’s what same-sex couples were denied for so long. Now you might see why the Supreme Court ruled the way they did.
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