Sunday 11 March 2012

Marriage equality and religious interference.


Watching a debate about “gay marriage” on “10 O’Clock Live” really gave me something to write about. Now, I am happy that this was getting some TV time but I was not happy to see that the host (David Mitchell) and the two debaters (musician and singer Boy George and writer for the Catholic Herald Milo Yiannopoulos) were not fully informed on the issue.

It was stated by David Mitchell that Civil Partnerships allow gay couples the same rights and legal and social benefits that marriage provides straight couples. This is not true. A Civil Partnership cannot be dissolved due to adultery. This means that if one of the partners cheats on the other then they’d better have another reason to separate because Adultery just isn’t good enough as far as the law is concerned. I mean sure, they could lie but why should they have to?!

The usual argument of “marriage is commonly recognised as being between a man and a woman, why should we redefine it?” made an appearance and all I could think, whilst watching this was “that, in itself, is a redefinition of marriage” if you want to keep marriage in the original form then you should be saying “marriage is the handing over of control of a woman to a man where he maintains all power and money whilst she spends her life serving his every wish”. Marriage was designed for this purpose. Women had to do as they were told and were controlled by men, whilst men could go out and do what ever they wanted. It was an economic institution it had nothing to do with religion – which defeats your “marriage is a sacred union infront of God” argument because it’s not. In its original state it had nothing to do with religion, it has been redefined over time, by the Church when seeking more power, to mean that. So hail hypocrisy! It’s only okay to redefine things when it benefits the Church.

I cannot understand their prejudice on this issue – in fact I don’t understand their prejudice towards any minority group. Christians used to be the minority, they were the ones being beaten and tortured because of their heretical beliefs. Jews and Pagans used to attack any Christian people they found. Any Christian churches that were found would be burned down and the people would be tortured and/or killed. If they looked back and saw that their Church – which they love and protect – came from a minority of tortured and beaten victims of prejudice then you would think they would treat the LGBT...people with a bit more kindness and acceptance.

It’s no secret that I do not follow any religion, I do not believe in any divine creator but I find religion fascinating and interesting. I like learning about it and most religious people are kind and respectful with their beliefs. You can talk to them about their beliefs and they will be equally interested in yours. It’s others who sit there and tell you that because you are different you cannot be equal. Your differences make you inferior. Well if your God is real, I think he’s going to have a lot of questions for you. I’ll save you a seat in hell – because if it exists, you know I’m going too.