Author "Get Over the Rainbow"
Get Over The Rainbow
Separation of Church ... and Homosexuality
The opposition to granting all rights to homosexuals and the blatant condemnation of the homosexual behavior are fundamentally grounded in religious beliefs. To use one's religious beliefs as the basis for supporting the government intervention in the private lives of individuals is equal to tearing down the sacred curtain that separates church and state. The overwhelming majority of those opposing homosexuality seem to base their condemnation on religious standards and myopic interpretations of the Bible.
The common argument that the Constitution does not actually contain wording that creates a distinct separation of church and state is flawed. The distinction between religion and government was part of the early history of America nearly 100 years before the Constitution was written. It is true that there is no actual wording in the Constitution that specifies separation of religion and government, but the use of the word “religion” in the First Amendment refers to “separation of church and state.”
James Madison first applied the concept of separation between religion and government, but it was Thomas Jefferson who wrote the “Bill for the Establishment of Religious Freedom,” which became law in 1786. More than ten years after the First Amendment was ratified, then president Jefferson used the phrase “separation of church and state.” Replying to a letter from the Baptists of Connecticut on January 1, 1802, Jefferson wrote, “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that there legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: thus building a wall between church and state.”
Jefferson’s writing clearly established the intent of separation of church and state. Our Founding Fathers sought to create a definite distinction between religion and the government. The concept of separation of church and state has been accepted by generation after generation and has become an integral element of American society.
By using the fact that America’s Founding Fathers/Mothers were overwhelmingly Christian, the Religious Right argues that Christianity and the government are not separate. But those Founding Fathers/Mothers who were Christians established the idea that Christians—as well as any other religious group—should not be allowed to force their religious beliefs on others for the duration of the republic.
The Reverend Jerry Falwell has been promoting a Federal Marriage Amendment. Falwell claims that granting total equality to gay Americans threatens the future of our republic and the future of Christianity. That absurd belief should automatically bring into question anything Falwell says, but millions of Christians share his outrageous predictions.
In July 2003, the Reverend Falwell issued a statement that read, in part, “we must aggressively combat the homosexual effort to destroy the tradition of marriage.” The statement also said, “This nation is on the precipice of moral devastation.” Does the Reverend Falwell believe that gay marriage will actually lead to “moral devastation,” or is he attempting to frighten Americans into joining the crusade to condemn homosexuality on religious grounds? Why haven’t religious leaders, like Falwell, been pressed to explain exactly how gay marriage will lead to “moral devastation?”
Legalizing gay marriage in America will not create more gays and lesbians. If gays are allowed to marry they will not suddenly start having sex with their new spouse on the front lawn or in public places. It is astounding that so many people have that concept of a social manifestation of gay marriage. Like the Bible, the Constitution can be very selectively interpreted to conveniently fit the malicious agenda of most any group.
The use of religious beliefs to condemn gay marriage and gay behavior violates the longstanding belief that our government should not allow a specific religion to guide the creation, execution, or interpretation of our laws. Supporting passage of federal or state laws, which would declare same-sex marriage illegal is an open invitation to request that the government create religious-based rules guiding the private lives of individuals. Yet, those who are so passionately opposed to further acceptance of homosexuality fail to recognize how their religious beliefs are an intrusion into the personal lives of others. Ironically, the groups promoting a new constitutional amendment banning gay marriage are the same groups that use the Constitution to defend their personal rights, especially their Second Amendment rights.
The door that leads to legislation prohibiting gay marriage is the same door that could lead to the government prohibiting many other actions based on religious grounds. Is that a door we really wish to open?
Copyright © 2005 by the author
All Rights Reserved
Note: If you are still confused about how a gay Christian can feel they are 'right' with God I encourage you to read the section of the web site entitled "Gay and Christian? YES!"