photo by Alyssa Armstrong Photography
I believe that all people have the right to love, and that if we allow some to marry, then we need to allow everyone to marry. Not only do I believe this, but it absolutely baffles me that some people don't consider all people equal. Because I'm sorry, if you don't believe that everyone should have the same right to marry, then you don't believe that all people are equal.
I don't believe that any church has a place in our government. I am Christian. I am not religious. I don't believe on imposing my beliefs on anyone else.
That being said, I think that all people have a right to believe what they want to believe. I believe that people are inherently good, and I don't believe that any religion is better or worse than another.
Going with all these points, I don't believe that allowing everyone to marry restricts anyone else's beliefs or religion. Because if you don't believe in same sex marriage, then don't have a same sex marriage. But not letting other people other marry does restrict their lives and their ability to feel like they are an equal part of this community. Big difference.
I believe that the whole Chick Fil A debacle is ridiculous. It's a chicken sandwich. Let's be adults people.
But that doesn't mean that I have to eat there. And me not eating there has nothing to do with wanting to restrict someone's free speech. It has everything to do with not wanting my money to be spent on things that I vehemently oppose.
I believe that my body is my body, and nobody has a right to tell me what to do with it. End of story. Non-negotiable.
It's all simple, really. Let's take responsibility for ourselves, and stop passing judgment on others. I don't believe that there is any right answer. I just know what I believe, is all. And that's all.
43 comments:
I could not agree with you more!!!!!!!!! I don't understand why marriage equality (or a lack of it) is even an issue in this day and age! beautifully written :)
Amen. Thanks for taking a stand and being awesome.
Agree, Agree, Agree!!! You took the words right out of my mouth!
xxx
Jenna
"if you don't believe that everyone should have the same right to marry, then you don't believe that all people are equal."
Exactly! I just can't fathom it. But there was a time not too long ago when my parents marriage would have been illegal. When my birth would have been a controversy and I an outcast. When my marriage would have been illegal. Preventing expression of love does not better anyone. Why would we want to get rid of something good in this world?
so glad you wrote this. thank you! I totally agree - did you read Chris Kluwe's letter to MD State Delegate Emmett Burns? He agrees too :) http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it
though I will say that I think that some people DO believe that their religion is better (or more real, or whatever) than anyone else's, and that's partly what's gotten us into some many of the last millennium's worth of messes!
Well put. Thank you for this post.
Great post! It's refreshing to hear something simple and nice out loud. There's too much negativity in the world to dwell in the bad. It's not worth it. Let's all just be happy :)
I love this post so much. Very well said--you don't come across as angry, negative, or defensive, the way same people do when trying to explain their beliefs.
Hah, we are so the same person! Thank you SO much for sharing this!! The funny (okay, not so funny) part about this is that from a Christian aspect none of these issues would even be relevant if we all just loved others...you know...like we're supposed to.
The whole thing just makes me upset, we're all God's creation and he loves us ALL no matter what...so why do we constantly feel the need to judge others and their actions? Because we're human, and it's sad.
xx -b.
That's exactly how I feel! I don't know what god is telling so many people to discriminate against others, but it's not the same loving, forgiving God that I know.
Thank you so much Katie! I truly believe that we can have a dialogue about these things without it turning into an angry mess. It's all about how we come across :)
That would be nice, wouldn't it?! If we all just loved ourselves and our neighbors...
You're very welcome Kristina!
Ha, that's a great letter! A little too angry for my taste, but sometimes bigotry and hypocrisy require something a little more strongly worded.
And I think the religion thing really is what is causing a lot of this mess. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I am right. I just have my own faith, and I can't expect anyone else to subscribe to that.
I guess we are doomed to repeat history sometimes, and it makes me so sad. But hopefully that means that we will get over this hurdle someday, and just move onto the next. That's what a progressive society is all about :)
I knew I'd have your support Jenna :)
Haha thanks Shelley :) I guess it really wasn't as painful as I thought it'd be!
Right?! It just seems so obvious to me, but until it's obvious to everyone, I'll just have to keep writing :)
Amen. You took the words right out of my mouth!
Amen, sista!! I couldn't have said it better myself. Beautiful post, written with wonderful conviction and yet you are so great to keep it an open-minded "to each his/her own."
love this!! i totally agree with you. it's really pretty crazy we still live in world where we prevent people from marrying who they love.
well... i suppose i'm the first to say that i disagree and i have my personal reasons but i'm very glad you wrote such a bold post! it's hard to say what you believe especially on such a touchy subject. and i do agree about chick fil a. if you don't want to support them, don't. we all have free speech and should respect that! thank you!
Wow ! Love it and I totally agree ... not sure what this Chick fil is ? Is it something in the US ?!
Love Chrissi xo
www.christianaholt.blogspot.com
Yes! Yes! Yes! The fact that this is still an issue completely baffles me. All of Canada passed a bill to allow same-sex marriage in 2005 and I'm so proud to be from a place that recognizes & encourages equal rights. Occasionally, it pops back into the media as some politician wants to reopen it but I sure hope it never goes any further than that.
I agree 100%! This topic gets my blood boiling. Even if you don't agree with it, it shouldn't matter. Another person's marriage doesn't affect you. Just love and let others love. The world would be a much better place if people did that!
AMEN!
Eloquently put. Love this.
I was raised in a house where it was taught that everyone just loved who they loved. My godfather has been with his (male) partner nearly as long as my parents have been married. I never knew that there was a "right" and a "wrong" kind of marriage, and I still don't believe there is. A person loves, who a person loves, and if you are ready to make the kind of commitment that marriage is, then who should be able to stop you! Personally, wouldn't it be better if we just stopped reality TV stars from getting married? They are more of a threat to the 'fabric of the institution of marriage' in my opinion...
Serious question, and I'm not trying to be rude, just curious- how can you be a Christian and not religious?
Hi Missy,
I personally feel like there is a difference between faith and religion, and how you define the two for yourself if a very personal decision. I subscribe to the basic beliefs of Christianity, but I do not go to church or worship regularly with others, and I do not follow any particular denomination. Hope that clears things up a bit :)
Thanks,
Joelle
Haha, I definitely think that some straight marriages are more of a "danger" to the institution than anything, but I don't feel like it's my place to judge. The decision to get married is a personal decision, and nobody else should have a place in that! It seems so normal and obvious to me too, but it's not that way for everyone. Guess that's why I felt the need to put it up on the blog :)
Thanks Patty!
Absolutely Allyssa! Love should be a good thing, and it shouldn't be anyone else's place to judge! xoxo
I think it's amazing that Canada allows same sex marriage, I honestly didn't know that! And nothing bad has happened to your country :) I'd like to say that once a decision has been made, hopefully people will realize that it's not a bad thing and just let it go, but unfortunately that's not the case. California allowed same sex marriage, but then it got overturned. I'm hoping one day soon, we'll allow it again!
Haha, Chick Fil A is a restaurant that was part of a big controversy in August, because the owner came out against gay marriage. Not only that, but it was discovered that he was donating company money to organizations against same sex marriage. Yuck!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful and positive comment Bethany! I know that we all won't agree, but it's important that we at least treat others with respect, so I appreciate it :)
Thanks Ashley! I think it's crazy too, but I guess that's why I felt the need to write this post? I'm proud of what I believe, and it's a subject I feel we all need to take a stand on! xoxo
Thanks Alexa :) I really feel so strongly about this topic, but I know that not everyone will agree with me. That's no reason to stay silent though! xoxo
All of these comments from "blog friends" that agree with me make me so happy! Thanks Carrie for taking a stand too, and letting us all know what you believe! xoxo
Could not agree more with this comment!! Exactly why I get so worked up - 'love' is what God wants us to be doing...so where's the love when people don't allow others to love equally?
*high five*
You are SO brave girl, and I love that you took a fearless approach with expressing your beliefs. I am very passionate about my views on politics and religion, but I've never had the guts to share it on the blogosphere for fear of attacks. I love your stance on this issue and am 100% behind you - I just wish others were as open minded and accepting.
Way to go Joelle! Just read this today, and you truly spoke to me (and how I feel too!)
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