The Declaration states; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Right to the Pursuit of Happiness means man’s right to live for himself, to choose what constitutes his own private, personal, individual happiness and to work for its achievement, so long as he respects the same right in others. It means that Man cannot be forced to devote his life to the happiness of another man nor of any number of other men. It means that the collective cannot decide what is to be the purpose of a man’s existence nor prescribe his choice of happiness.
“Textbook of Americanism,” The Ayn Rand Column
By the words of our Declaration of Independence, gay and lesbian men and women should be allowed to wed whomever makes them happy.
My parents raised us to know no person or group of people are any better than another. We are all God's children and we are all equal. I know both gay and lesbian individuals and would NEVER think they are less of a person than I. That kind of thinking is just plain crazy! The Bible is very clear on the whole 'love one another' thing.
Here is where the conflict comes in for me.
The Bible (to me) is also very clear on the point of homosexuality. The Bible is NOT in favor of it at all.
Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
There are several such scriptures through the Bible. Can you see where my mind is on overload? I love our great nation and the principles it was founded on. I also love the Bible and try to live my life by its teachings. Unfortunately, this is not a topic that is easily discussed. Most people are strongly on one side or the other, leaving those of us teetering in the middle, well...teetering.
I strongly believe every individual is created equal, and should be treated as so. I also strongly believe homosexuality is wrong...yet I accept everyone into my life, regardless of their sexual preference. Clear as mud??
I'm thinking this is a subject that may never be fully worked out in my mind.
By the words of our Declaration of Independence, gay and lesbian men and women should be allowed to wed whomever makes them happy.
My parents raised us to know no person or group of people are any better than another. We are all God's children and we are all equal. I know both gay and lesbian individuals and would NEVER think they are less of a person than I. That kind of thinking is just plain crazy! The Bible is very clear on the whole 'love one another' thing.
Here is where the conflict comes in for me.
The Bible (to me) is also very clear on the point of homosexuality. The Bible is NOT in favor of it at all.
Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
There are several such scriptures through the Bible. Can you see where my mind is on overload? I love our great nation and the principles it was founded on. I also love the Bible and try to live my life by its teachings. Unfortunately, this is not a topic that is easily discussed. Most people are strongly on one side or the other, leaving those of us teetering in the middle, well...teetering.
I strongly believe every individual is created equal, and should be treated as so. I also strongly believe homosexuality is wrong...yet I accept everyone into my life, regardless of their sexual preference. Clear as mud??
I'm thinking this is a subject that may never be fully worked out in my mind.
I really love the "you don't have to compromise conviction to be compassionate" part. I believe you can make your choice and unless it hurts you there is no reason to believe you are in charge of others choices.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that, but I think I finally have it cleared in my mind. The term "marriage" comes from the Bible and is defined there. If you government wants to use that particular term, then they need to use the definition. Otherwise, choose a new term. :)
ReplyDelete