Michael A. Clarke: What court’s ruling on gay marriage really means
Some people seem to be unduly concerned about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage. The following facts should provide comfort to those worried about what the decision means:
The court did not “redefine” marriage. Marriage is still a recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them and confers to them over 1,400 miscellaneous legal rights. What the court did was to re-affirm that it is unconstitutional to pass laws that discriminate against particular groups of people, in this case gays and lesbians.
The court did not go against the majority. Statistics indicate the majority of the American people support same-sex marriage, including 62 percent of Roman Catholics. Nor will the court’s decision require clergy to preside at same-sex weddings, though clergy following Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor” might do so.
Some folks seem worried the court has endorsed the “homosexual agenda.” Actually, the homosexual agenda is the same as everybody else’s agenda: the constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, without having to face discrimination by government, political parties, businesses or their fellow citizens.
Michael A. Clarke, Salida
This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 12:27 PM with the headline "Michael A. Clarke: What court’s ruling on gay marriage really means."