Friday, June 8, 2012

Question

The Rev. Keith Ratcliff, head of the Iowa NAACP, has quit the organization because of the NAACP's support for gay marriage.  I suspect this is going on more than reported.  And I'm sure that the bigotry accusations have already started.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120607/NEWS/306070077/Gay-marriage-foe-leaves-Iowa-civil-rights-group


Rev. Ratcliff understands a core issue - authority for the definition of right and wrong either comes from something greater than ourselves, or, if that something does not exist or is not considered relevant, it comes from individuals.  That so many think it comes from themselves is part of the "Everybody has their own truth" argument, which, although containing a huge logical fallacy, is very popular now.

In the case of gay marriage, the definition of marriage long held by most of Western culture has been that it is one man, one woman.  That is now being set aside for a new definition:  one man, one woman; one man, one man; one woman, one woman.  Okay, old definition set aside for a new one.

So when do we set aside the new definition in favor of legalization of polygamy, of one man, two women, or vice versa?  If it is discrimination to deny marriage to any couple who says that they are in love, how can it be possible to deny multiples who say they are in love?

2 comments:

  1. PH, you are quite right that once the door to Gay marriage is open then the other prohibitions are in question. I say we question those prohibitions now. Let's not wait.

    While I might find certain things to be offensive, I recognize that I have no right not to be offended. One should not have to seek permission of the state to get married, regardless of the gender arrangement.

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