There are better ways to defend marriage
The Rowan County commissioners approved a resolution to allow N.C. citizens to vote on the so-called Defense of Marriage amendment to the N.C. Constitution to assure that homosexuals cannot marry. I take issue with this approval on several grounds, including redundancy, since we already have a law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. I also object to commissioners dealing with an issue that serves only to create divisiveness and has no effect on policy or practice within the county.
The spokesmen for adoption of this amendment based their arguments on the immorality of same-sex relationships. There was a noticeable absence of Christian charity and love as they vilified persons in same-sex relationships as sinful and evil. Those who opposed the amendment were called liars and anti-Christian. The commissioners were urged to act because the Bible condemns homosexuality.
I would ask if we must also support slavery, rape, and human sacrifice because there are passages in the Bible that can be interpreted as supporting these practices.
I question that the most effective way to defend marriage is to attack those who form nontraditional relationships. Infidelity is often cited as the cause of divorce, along with physical abuse, incest, desertion and alcohol or drug abuse. The U.S. Center for Disease Control cites high unemployment, low family income and high rates of crime as co-occurring with high divorce rates. Targeting these causes would give churches and communities more than enough to do if they are serious about trying to support marriages.
This is ultimately a civil rights issue. Civil rights must be granted not because they are popular but because they are right and their denial diminishes all of us. I only hope the legislature has the wisdom to ignore this mean-spirited amendment.
ó Nan Lund
Salisbury