The absence of critical thinking utilized concerning the responses on gay marriage is surprising to me.
The comparison of a person smoking marijuana in his or her own home to gay marriage was fallacious. It is a false analogy.
Research on effects of marijuana shows a threat to society because the effects are not contained within the home, and they continue with the person as he or she leaves the home and enters society. Gay marriage however has no direct threat to society. The threat to the traditional family unit is homosexuality in itself, regardless of marriage.
It is important to remember that the basis of this wonderful country was made to provide a safe haven for unalienable rights. A keystone in this foundation is the separation of religion and state.
A portion of students here at BYU has the tendency to mix the responsibility of the institutions of government and social organizations such as religion.
It is the responsibility of the state to provide the same rights for gay couples as married couples. Homosexuality is a sin and not a crime. Without criminal nature, there is not a basis for laws against it.
Homosexuality is no more of a threat to the family unit than are the other sex related sins such as fornication and adultery and therefore must be treated as such.
The solution is not to create laws to prohibit homosexuals from marrying, but to correct the situation through social institutions. The works required by faith are to teach them, not to pass laws against them.
Rob Greer
Paul, Idaho
Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Mar 2004
