GAY: Criticism isn't bigotry

As a Christian, I find myself somewhat disturbed by the rising effort to legalize gay marriage. I understand there are those who feel that not allowing gays to marry is discrimination and that a change in the law is needed to address an injustice. I, too, believe that discrimination when based on one’s beliefs or lifestyle is wrong. But is changing our laws to sanction a minority’s lifestyle a good idea? Our founding fathers recognized that laws are needed in order to advance and protect our society. Laws that were passed were based on the three fundamentals that are the foundation of our society: Faith, family and community.

For the last 50 years the foundation of our society has been steadily eroding. Faith has been treated as superstition and removed from our schools. Laws that once closed business on Sunday to promote church attendance were removed from the books. It was at the local church where people gathered, not only to worship, but to discuss the needs of their community. It was at the church where the idea of community and mutual support was fostered and put into practice, neighbor helping neighbor. As attendance of our churches has declined, so has our sense of community and responsibility.

Our families, which have been the backbone of our society, have also been undermined. There used to be laws against committing adultery. These laws were not enacted to punish people for their sin. Lawmakers recognized the importance of the family to our society and sought to prevent the breakup of our families. With the recent advent of no fault divorce its easier to break up a family than it is to get married. The breakup of the traditional two parent family can be directly correlated to a lowered education level and a rising crime rate in America. Is this just a coincidence?

Our forefathers also recognized the dangers to society of groups with passionate and extreme views. That is why they made it difficult to amend our constitution. That is why our government has a system of balanced powers. Recent court decisions have put that balance of power at risk. The courts have decided that they know best what is good for the country. There is a test for what is really good for our communities. If something is truly good, then it is good for everybody. And if everybody does it, what would the result be for our communities?

I am personally offended by those who call anyone who opposes gay marriage a bigot. I don’t harbor any ill will toward the gay community and I certainly don’t hate anyone. It is my hope that we can find a way to accommodate the needs of the gay community without further eroding the traditional institution of marriage.

GARY DeYOUNG

Kingston