Gay vs. God

by Paul Wilson

The passage of legislation to ban gay marriages in three states, while simutaneously electing the first African-American president, is a true litmus test for the strangle-hold that religion has on our political process. No longer is race the biggest prejudice. In fact, sadly, those minorities who have received the most abuse in the past, were instrumental in passing the new laws.

Is this merely an attempt by minorities to go along with the mob, thereby shifting prejudice away from them? Speaking as someone who was bullied as a child, I believe it's possibly part of the answer. But the simple fact is, in times of economic strife and uncertain security, people turn to God more. And, often, that god is vengeful, looking to place blame on someone for our problems. There seems to be a very real fear of gays by the African-American and Latino communities. Perhaps it is merely the importance placed on procreation within these ethnic groups that sparks their fear, as if having gays within their ranks might decrease their populations (If you deny the existence of black or latino gays, do they make a sound?). Or maybe the simple truth is that even the most down-trodden peoples need someone upon whom to trod themselves...

Although it pains me to believe it, had Barack Obama declared himself an agnostic, he never would have won. Had he not developed that sermon quality to his speeches, which stirs the very soul, it would be President McCain now. Had he lost, it would have been because of religion, not race.

Those of you living in these three states (Arizona, California and Florida) know of the horrendous, fear-mongering ads that were used to pass these propositions. Funded by fundamentalist churches, these costly ads depicted children being taught about gay marriage in school, with parents having no power to object. Aside from being outright lies, the religion police stoked the fires of our fears and were successful...again. God, apparently, loves finger-pointers...
The very idea of marriage is, of course, a creation of religion. A way to sanctify the union of two people and bless them with many offspring. An inspiration to be fruitful and multiply, and, at the same time, control promiscuity. Personally, I would like to believe that earlier, pagan religions would have embraced gay coupling as a simple fact of life...love comes in many forms. I have no proof of this, but I am an idealist.

If you are gay and still believe in God, you either have your own personal demons to work through- guilt and self-loathing- OR your god is a much more open and understanding god than the one presented by the religious right...a god who knows that homosexuality is something you are born to, not a choice. A god who may have actually created the gay community? Hmmm...

So why not put that to good use? I have come up with what, I believe is a perfect solution to the gay marriage dilemna...Start your own religion.

Think about it...

* An organized religion is protected under the constitution..
* Gay marriage would be accepted and performed by their own church's ministry.
* The gay religion would be condemned by the catholics and fundamentalists, but no more than muslims and unitarians.
* The government would have no choice but to recognize the unions, under the law.

Imagine the confusion you could cause, as right-wingers try to decide between the "morality" of homosexuality and the freedom of religion upon which this country was founded! It's a social experiment I would love to see...

Being an atheist, I am of the opinion that homosexuality is a natural evolutionary occurence, found throughout nature, designed to curb the over-population of a species. This is probably why I not only accept the gay community, but welcome them. Cheer for them, actually...

Personally, as a confirmed bachelor (I'm straight, but I hope you'll overlook that), I frown on marriage, anyway. The ceremony itself, not the commitment of two people to share their lives together. If I ever do get married, it will be by a judge in a county clerk's office. Bare minimum, just to make it legal. This is why I think the so-called "civil union" proposed by some states is an acceptable compromise. All the legal rights, without bringing God into the mix.

Believe me, I understand all the "equal but separate" feelings that are evoked by calling it something other than marriage. But it is a step forward toward acceptance. The gay marriage bans passed, but by a very slim margin; closer than in 2004. With the end of the Bush Era approaching and the potential for some real healing in our future, acceptance truly seems to be on the horizon.

Keep up the fight, of course, but remember that it often takes small steps to get to the finish line...

And, if you just can't wait for it to happen, consider the whole "starting your own religion" idea. You never know...

I will let others think of the name...