Many families gathered today to celebrate Thanksgiving, watch the parade and maybe a football game or two. When we think of family, what image comes to mind?
For many, the word “family” used to conjure up an image out of Norman Rockwell: mom and dad with two kids and a dog. But today the picture is more encompassing. Family might be a single mother and her children having dinner together. It could be children having dinner with a parent and step-parent. It also includes families where the parents are two moms or two dads.
In a recent opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune, Geoffrey Stone talks about his daughter Mollie:
. . . Mollie has found a life-partner. Mollie and Andrea are deeply committed to each other. They want to spend their lives together. Watching them over the last few years, it is easy to see why. They complement each other, take care of each other, respect each other and love each other. They want to have children, for all the right reasons.
In my experience, they are no different in their love, commitment and aspirations than any of the other young couples whose weddings I have attended over the last half-century.
But Mollie and Andrea cannot marry.
Stone goes on to say:
"Marriage," we are told, "is between a man and a woman." It is simply a matter of definition. It is a matter of Scripture. It is what God commands. Indeed, there could be no other reason for such a rule. Apart from religious precept, why would we have such a restriction?
A third of Americans now favor allowing same-sex marriage, and more than half now support same-sex civil commitment. Our nation's greatest achievement has been its ability to recognize and overcome deeply entrenched racial, religious, gender and ethnic discrimination. We will achieve this as well in the realm of sexual orientation. But some of us grow impatient. I'd like to go to Mollie's wedding.
Stone makes a good point that is especially relevant at this time of year. Whatever their make up, don’t all families bound by love deserve our respect?
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Comments: 9
Seriously, I won't even get into the marrage issue, but I do believe all couples need legal standing. Something to protect their rights with and for each other, and to keep other people from interfering.
I have a hard time with the parenting issue, but it doesn't hurt anything when faced with a loving family, no matter who it consists of, to be respectful and kind.
Hurting someone just for the sake of making a point is always wrong.
Love should be honored and "established" wherever it exists.
Beth