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RICH IN THOUGHT Love Wins And A Pink Unicorn
Pink Unicorn

With the landmark 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday (June 26) allowing same-sex couples to legally marry in all 50 states, we witnessed civil rights history.

I usually consider myself on the conservative side of things, but I find myself taking the more “liberal” view in this instance. (I can hear the “gasp” of some of my Facebook friends for using and associating myself with THAT ‘L’ word).

I truly believe that the government should stay out of people’s relationships and stop defining or mandating on whom or the type of person they should choose to be married to or how consenting adults should behave behind closed doors.

The type of individual that physically appeals to me can be different than the type of individual of another. I like blonde women, but an occasional cute brunette will turn my head. Others I know are into redheads. Some prefer thin, others on the heavy side.

What I’m saying is we’re all different with different characteristics that attract us to each other. When the mix of love is added – despite the sexual make up – why should some of us be denied that relationship and the benefits that come with a marriage?

What matters is the quality of one’s heart and their capacity to love and respect others, despite any difference I may have, is none of my business.

The recent Supreme Court decision had some cheering it as an historic event for civil rights while others chastised the Court for judicial overreach. Never mind the many Americans who now say this is the end of America and truly think that gay marriage will somehow destroy the fabric of the country with God’s wrath coming down on America over this decision.

So let’s get this straight and look at a few years of U.S. History as I try to put things into perspective.

When America had millions of African slaves that were shackled, raped, murdered and enslaved for centuries — no wrath of God. Taking land from the Indians and murdering them — no wrath; Jim Crow laws with severe oppression and the KKK hate group — no wrath either; even right now, not taking care of the needs of the homeless, hungry, sick and dying poor — no one is spouting about God’s wrath there. But somehow this “wrath” is going to come down over gays marrying and America is going down the tubes. Really?

Don’t get me wrong on religious beliefs. I’ve had a few personal crises where I turned to God and my spirituality. (Note the word “personal” in that sentence.)

I feel everyone has the right to believe what they want when it comes to their religion or spirituality.

If you want to believe your existence of the Omnipotent Creator is an invisible pink unicorn, then go right ahead. That’s YOUR choice.

But the problem I object to is when you dictate to another human being how they should live their lives, or how society needs to be as a whole, based on what you feel your invisible pink unicorn is telling you.

While there is likely to be a religious right conservative effort to move forward with some sort of constitutional amendment defining marriage, I am a firm believer that governmental laws, or constitutional amendments, should not be based on religion or the Bible.

All one needs to do is take a look at the oppression to citizens of Islamic nations where laws are guided by religion?

Here, the same-sex marriage ruling is now the law of the land.

I’ll celebrate that because it’s a victory for every American who cares about the protection of civil rights and equality for all in the U.S., regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

For the religious out there that are upset over the latest ruling and all the rainbow imagery showing up; if you recall the Noah’s Ark tale logically, the rainbow is the promise of a better day, not an evil omen of things to come.

 

Richard Paloma is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News, and The Escalon Times. He may be reached at rpaloma@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 847-3021.