Democracy exists for the purpose of protecting human rights and providing for the exercise of those rights. All human rights are corollary. Sometimes, human rights may conflict. In those cases democracy provides for the establishment of a contractual or covenant relationship. In 13 states and many countries, the basic human right of persons to marry has been recognized. The campaign for marriage equality made it clear that the goal was the right of same-gender couples to enter into civil marriage. In that context, the marriage equality movement also assured the free exercise of religion understanding that there are those religions which do not favor same-gender marriage. In CA and RI cases have arisen in which the same-gender couple are trying to win sympathy in their violation of the right of free exercise of religion. They are Roman Catholic. In many RC venues, the principle of DADT is observed. As in the military, once that principle is violated, oftentimes the authorities of the church are left with no other choice. In CA, a teacher in a RC high school allowed his marriage to be made known to the authorities of the school. They had no choice but to dismiss him. In RI, a parishioner addressed concerns to a pastor and in doing so advised of his marital status. The pastor said that he would not distribute Communion to either member of this couple. There are many other venues in which to be Catholic. Those of us who worked for marriage equality did in fact make a contract with the religious community regarding the fundamental rights of religion. We dishonor ourselves if we violate that contract.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 17:36:17 +0000
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