Posted by
John Caile on Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:13:10 PM
Declaring every desire a "right" has become a standard tactic of the Left. Can't persuade a majority of your fellow citizens to support your view in the legislature? No problem - run to the courts and try to get your way via the judiciary.
Let me be clear - I am neither supporting nor opposing the idea of allowing two men or two women to marry. I am merely pointing out that in fact, no one, not even a "straight" couple, has a "right" to be married. Because marriage is a creation of society, the structure of such an institution is determined by the will of the people.
Currently, the people, via their legislatures, have decided that marriage shall have certain characteristics and parameters - age, mental competency, restrictions based on relationship of the parties, limiting a marriage to only two parties, and yes defining the union as between a man and a woman.
Now, my close liberal friends know that, while I don't believe it would be a good idea, I have no problem with the principle of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples - so long as they do it legislatively. Because if we as a culture wish to make those changes, we are empowered by the Constitution to do so.
Since it appears that, at least for the time being, the overwhelming majority of Americans do not wish to alter the terms of the institution known as marriage, then that should be respected as the law of the land.
But if the time should come that the majority of Americans agree to change the rules governing marriage, then I would most certainly respect the will of the people just as strongly.
Some "gay marriage" proponents have attempted to equate their desires with the Civil Rights movement. But this is a canard. Marriage is not a right at all, let alone a civil right. While everyone (whether gay or straight) has the right to mate with, and/or co-habit with, whomever they choose, they do not have a "right" to demand that society change the structure and definitions of a social instrument just to accommodate their views.
Civil Rights refer to the inherent rights people have by virtue of simply being human - life, liberty, and the freedom to pursue their desires. Thus slavery and segregation were manifestly violations of true civil rights. But same sex couples are free to live and work where, and with whom, they wish. And neither I nor anyone I know would ever allow that freedom to be circumscribed.
But if they do wish society to rewrite the marriage laws to legally sanction a same-sex relationship, they are free to work to make that happen. Just do it via the proper course: getting the majority of your fellow citizens to go along with you, and not by attempting to get some court to override their will.