Thursday, July 31, 2008

Marriage in the USA

Ok... I know I haven't written for a while, and I will update everyone this weekend. But I needed to chime in and talk about something that is starting to piss me off.

America is built around freedom and equality. We have gone to wars with other nations and ourselves over this. Thousands and thousands of people have died to protect this belief. And this is what makes Americans Proud to be an American!

Now lets think about this some more for a moment...

In the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
There is the Establishment Clause.

The establishment clause has generally been interpreted to prohibit 1) the establishment of a national religion by Congress, or 2) the preference of one religion over another or the support of a religious idea with no identifiable secular purpose.

Notice what I highlighted in that statement. The FIRST Amendment basically states there must be a Seperation of Church and State in the USA.

Now everyone knows there are benefits to being married:
  1. Joint parental rights of children
  2. Joint adoption
  3. Status as "next-of-kin" for hospital visits and medical decisions
  4. Right to make a decision about the disposal of loved ones remains
  5. Immigration and residency for partners from other countries
  6. Crime victims recovery benefits
  7. Domestic violence protection orders
  8. Judicial protections and immunity
  9. Automatic inheritance in the absence of a will
  10. Public safety officers death benefits
  11. Spousal veterans benefits
  12. Social Security
  13. Medicare
  14. Joint filing of tax returns
  15. Wrongful death benefits for surviving partner and children
  16. Bereavement or sick leave to care for partner or children
  17. Child support
  18. Joint Insurance Plans
  19. Tax credits including: Child tax credit, Hope and lifetime learning credits
  20. Deferred Compensation for pension and IRAs
  21. Estate and gift tax benefits
  22. Welfare and public assistance
  23. Joint housing for elderly
  24. Credit protection
  25. Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans
Now on to the definition of Marriage. Certain people want the law to say between a Man and a Woman, and some people want it to say between two consenting adults. The people who are fighting for the Constitution to state a Marriage is between a Man and a Woman, are doing this mainly because that is what is stated in the bible.
Have you not read, he replied, that at the beginning the Creator "made them male and female," and said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh"? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate (Matthew 19:4–6, Mark 10:6–9).
Now stick with me here... If the Constitution were made so that the definition of Marriage (which in the United States of America lawfully gives you certain benefits) is between a Man and a Woman (definition from Christianity beliefs) then this is support of a religious idea in the Constitution.

And this would directly conflict with the very First Amendment of the United States of America, which is the poster child for the Bill of Rights. Oh ya remember that...

Sorry, no matter what your religious beliefs. If you are a US Citizen, have fought to protect America, or fought to get another nation freedom, then you believe in or fought for the US Constitution and what it stands for.

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition

Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms

Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops

Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain

Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury

Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment

Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights

Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people

Therefore, you cannot have the statement, "Marriage is between a Man and a Woman" in the Constitution. It, in itself, is against the Constitution.

Nater

If you don't want Gay and Lesbian marriages, DON'T GET ONE!

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