It's finally happened! We have finally gotten to the point where gay marriage is now legal in all 50 states, and Puerto Rico is also allowing same-sex marriage! I wish it hadn't taken this long, but it's a step in the right direction! I've always thought of myself as an open-minded and accepting person so I've always supported gay marriage. I hate that there are still people out there that continue to hate and put down others for their sexuality or gender (referring to intersex and transgender), but today we have made a step in the right direction. It's nice to see all of the support that I have from my friends on Facebook. Overall, the feedback that I have seen about this amazing event has been full of love and positivity. There have been a couple people that oppose it for religious reasons. That is your opinion and your right to have that opinion. I just ask that you please at least respect that this is the decision that has been made.
**WARNING*** The rest of this post will get controversial. If you don't agree with my opinion, you can stop reading and have a wonderful day :)
Now I am from Wisconsin. Our governor, Scott Walker, has been at the front of controversy since he was elected as our governor in 2010. I disagree with many things that he has done for Wisconsin, but today I am even more embarrassed to have him as my governor. I know that I have friends and family that support Walker so I may get some backlash for this but it's my opinion and I have the right to share it. I saw this post that he made on Facebook through a friend who had shared it:
"I believe this Supreme Court decision is a grave mistake. Five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage, an institution that the author of this decision acknowledges ‘has been with us for millennia.’ In 2006 I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism. The states are the proper place for these decisions to be made, and as we have seen repeatedly over the last few days, we will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas. As a result of this decision, the only alternative left for the American people is to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage.
Recognizing that our Founders made our Constitution difficult to amend, I am reminded that it was first amended to protect our ‘First Freedom’ - the free exercise of religion. The First Amendment does not simply protect a narrow ‘right to worship,’ but provides broad protection to individuals and institutions to worship and act in accordance with their religious beliefs. In fact, the Wisconsin constitution explicitly protects the rights of conscience of our citizens. I can assure all Wisconsinites concerned about the impact of today’s decision that your conscience rights will be protected, and the government will not coerce you to act against your religious beliefs.
I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs. No one wants to live in a country where the government coerces people to act in opposition to their conscience. We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans."
Now there are so many things that I disagree with on this post. First off I would like to point out this sentence: "...we will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas."
**WARNING*** The rest of this post will get controversial. If you don't agree with my opinion, you can stop reading and have a wonderful day :)
Now I am from Wisconsin. Our governor, Scott Walker, has been at the front of controversy since he was elected as our governor in 2010. I disagree with many things that he has done for Wisconsin, but today I am even more embarrassed to have him as my governor. I know that I have friends and family that support Walker so I may get some backlash for this but it's my opinion and I have the right to share it. I saw this post that he made on Facebook through a friend who had shared it:
"I believe this Supreme Court decision is a grave mistake. Five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage, an institution that the author of this decision acknowledges ‘has been with us for millennia.’ In 2006 I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism. The states are the proper place for these decisions to be made, and as we have seen repeatedly over the last few days, we will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas. As a result of this decision, the only alternative left for the American people is to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage.
Recognizing that our Founders made our Constitution difficult to amend, I am reminded that it was first amended to protect our ‘First Freedom’ - the free exercise of religion. The First Amendment does not simply protect a narrow ‘right to worship,’ but provides broad protection to individuals and institutions to worship and act in accordance with their religious beliefs. In fact, the Wisconsin constitution explicitly protects the rights of conscience of our citizens. I can assure all Wisconsinites concerned about the impact of today’s decision that your conscience rights will be protected, and the government will not coerce you to act against your religious beliefs.
I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs. No one wants to live in a country where the government coerces people to act in opposition to their conscience. We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans."
Now there are so many things that I disagree with on this post. First off I would like to point out this sentence: "...we will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas."
Now I know that people are saying that there is nothing in the Constitution that says anything about marriage, but I do know that it says that we are in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. To me, everyone having the ability to marry the person that they love is a right. And furthermore, I don't think that these judges have "their own political agenda." People have been fighting for LGBTQ+ rights for awhile and I'm happy that they are finally starting to get some. I would also like to point out that he has an issue with their so-call "political agendas" but I have a problem with his "religious agenda." The United States does not have a national religion no matter what anyone says against that. That is the reason so many people come here for religious freedom.
Next we have this quote: "I am reminded that it was first amended to protect our ‘First Freedom’ - the free exercise of religion. The First Amendment does not simply protect a narrow ‘right to worship,’ but provides broad protection to individuals and institutions to worship and act in accordance with their religious beliefs."
Next we have this quote: "I am reminded that it was first amended to protect our ‘First Freedom’ - the free exercise of religion. The First Amendment does not simply protect a narrow ‘right to worship,’ but provides broad protection to individuals and institutions to worship and act in accordance with their religious beliefs."
Here he points out that the First Amendment protects freedom of religion: it also protects the freedom against religion as well. But there are many gay people that are also Christian, and if his argument is that marriage is a Godly thing, then I don't see the problem. Many people say that marriage is sacred because it has god at the forefront of it. Well that's what the Christians (who also just happen to be gay) also want as well. They also just want to show their love for that other person which I don't see anything wrong with that. But an argument that I would like to point out is that people of other religions marry, as well as Atheists, and I don't see them making a big deal out of that since it's not in the name of "God". So why the gays? Continuing with the argument against the Christian argument since Walker is a Christian: There are many things that the Bible says that are grave sins. Divorcing is one. They don't seem to have a problem with that anymore because times change. We used to think that slavery was acceptable but now that has been abolished because we learned that that is an inhumane thing to do. I would also like to point out that marriage started way before Christianity as a business deal between fathers to gain money or power.
"I can assure all Wisconsinites concerned about the impact of today’s decision that your conscience rights will be protected, and the government will not coerce you to act against your religious beliefs."
"I can assure all Wisconsinites concerned about the impact of today’s decision that your conscience rights will be protected, and the government will not coerce you to act against your religious beliefs."
First off: We aren't asking anyone to go against their religious beliefs. If someone doesn't support gay marriage, they don't have to perform, attend, or participate in any way with a gay marriage. I agree that now we shouldn't have to call it "gay marriage" but for this post I will continue to use it for clarity. Secondly: I would like to point out the separation of church and state. I know that there isn't that much of a separation of church and state since it took this long for gay marriage to be recognized as legal, and we still have references to the Christian god on our money and in our pledge, but I really wish that politicians would put aside their religious beliefs when deciding something so that we could have an actual separation.
"I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs."
"I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs."
Again: We are not asking you to participate in a gay marriage. It will not affect you at all. the only thing that everyone will be able to love the person of their dreams. I really don't see what the big deal is.
And the last quote that I would like to point out is actually his last, and most ignorant, statement:
"We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans."
And the last quote that I would like to point out is actually his last, and most ignorant, statement:
"We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans."
""We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans." So you say you're trying to fight for the freedoms of Americans, yet you're trying to take away the rights of the LGBTQ+ community to marry? Or are you trying to say that they're not American? And why does everyone keep forgetting that marriage started as a business deal between fathers to gain wealth or power? Religion has taken it upon itself to try and define what marriage is. People get married for a multitude of reasons and the number one being love. Everyone should have the right to get married. It wasn't created for just those that follow a certain religion. Christians can marry. Muslims can marry. Atheists can marry. Whites can marry. Latinos can marry. Blacks can marry. The infertile can marry and so can the fertile. Why can't gays? I am embarrassed to say that you are my governor. Please open up your mind and learn to love and respect everyone. I definitely will not be voting for you in this year's election."
And this man wants to be president. I am deeply embarrassed that he is my governor, I sure don't want him as my president. I am so happy that Obama supports this as well. He's a pretty cool president.
But that is just my little rant. I really am happy for all of the new couples that are now legally allowed to be married. You all deserve the best!
XOXO Ericka
XOXO Ericka