I didn't want to have to do this.
But I feel like I need to.
I'm gonna address the "equal rights" issue.
I know…suicide.
But I just gotta.
So this is the way I am perceiving society's view of things:
If you believe in gay marriage you are kind, loving, accepting, progressive, openminded, etc. You clearly understand the meaning of love and charity more than others. You are a good person.
If you don't believe in gay marriage you are a bigot, selfish, a hater, homophobic and imposing of your beliefs on others. You are so dumb that you can't even see that others should get the same rights that you get. It's so clear, why don't you get it?
I could be totally off with my perceptions, but from the conversations I've had and seen and read, this is pretty accurate.
So, now on to my thoughts. I know that you're dying to hear them.
When the subject of gay marriage first came out I thought, "I don't really care. Let them get married if they want to." But as the subject has not gone away (and is not going away any time soon) and I've had to figure out what I really believe and why, I realized this:
I have no right to tell someone who they should or shouldn't marry.
Lest you misunderstand me, let me also state that you have no right to tell someone who they should or shouldn't marry.
Marriage is ordained of God.
And, since God is the one who is in charge, He sets the rules.
He happens to say marriage is between a man and a woman. (research: scriptures)
God says that, not me.
I know that not everybody believes in God, but I do.
So when I say I am against gay marriage, it's not because I don't want someone to be happy or because I think I'm smarter or better or more righteous or anything. If anything my heart hurts for those having to deal with this. I hate it and I wish nobody had to deal with this issue. (and not in a "pity" kind of way, so don't get angry at me for that).
When I say I'm not for gay marriage it's because I answer to someone higher than my Facebook Friends.
I answer to God.
So if I disagree with you please respect that. I am following what I truly believe is right in my heart. If you believe that supporting gay marriage is truly right in your heart, by all means follow that.
You should never ignore your conscience.
Please don't ask me to ignore mine.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Perfect. I want to share this on my Facebook page. It's really well put.
Exactly! I'd love to share this too. Well said.
I understand this perspective, and I respect how people might feel from a religious standpoint. My question then, is do you believe all marriage is ordained by God? Couldn't we look at a civil institution, and those who believe in God can also see it as a religious institution? If you believe a same-sex marriage is not right in the eyes of God (which I don't judge you for at all), can't we just leave that up to God and the sinner and not have laws get involved? If it is in fact a sin, they will be held accountable on judgment day and that's their business. I do respect you opinion.. Just curious about those points.
-Jessica
I guess my thinking is, do we, as a society, have the right to deny something to a group of people based on a particular religion that much of humanity doesn't even share in?
Dixie,
If you're gonna go there, I'm coming with you!
I've had the same position as you on this subject in the past, so I know that it doesn't come from a place of hatred or bigotry. It's all about loyalty to God's word, and I get that.
That being said, this is why I think you can support marriage equality and still be a good Mormon:
The eleventh article of faith says that we claim the right to worship God in our way and that we're okay with others worshiping God in whatever way they choose (forgive the paraphrase). While the article just references religion, I think the spirit of it is much broader, and is a response to a long history of others trying to force Mormons to conform to their sense of right and wrong. We didn't like it when it was done to us, and AOF 11 is our way of saying that we would never want to be in the position of doing it to someone else.
In other words a "good Mormon" can decide that homosexual marriage is not right for them personally, and still respect and even defend the rights of others to live their lives "according to the dictates of their own conscience". Marriage is at the core of our faith, but so is free will.
I respect that you have to follow your conscience on this matter. After all of the arguments, I choose to support marriage equality because I believe it is what God wants me to do. But as in all things, I can receive direction only according to my own limited knowledge, and I happily welcome any further light and knowledge on the matter from the Lord.
Man, when are we gonna talk about exercise again? I need to tell you my adventures will shoulder rehab. It's almost as interesting as delivering a baby on your front porch.
Well-said, sister. It was a good week to stay off of Facebook for me. I wish the other side of the issue could respect our beliefs as we do theirs.
Agreed- Thank you for posting!
I agree with Brandon. With that said, Dixie's position was beautifully articulated and appreciated.
Love,
Eric
Post a Comment