Marriage mayhem

When news came down yesterday that Vermont lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto to pass same-sex marriage, and then the DC Council voted to recognize gay marriages perfomed elsewhere, I was curious to see the reaction from the right. They usually protest about unelected “activist” judges hell-bent on overturning the social order, but this time, it […]

When news came down yesterday that Vermont lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto to pass same-sex marriage, and then the DC Council voted to recognize gay marriages perfomed elsewhere, I was curious to see the reaction from the right. They usually protest about unelected “activist” judges hell-bent on overturning the social order, but this time, it wasn’t the judges that did it.

What I find curious is the conservatives’ notion that all decisions must be made directly by the people (i.e., Prop 8 in California). I always learned in civics class that the people elect other people (representatives) to make the decisions for them. It’s called democracy.

I was particularly struck by this comment, from Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage: “We take heart in knowing that this vote was not representative of what Vermonters understand marriage to be. We know that the Vermont Legislature did everything in its power to avoid allowing Vermonters to vote directly on the future of marriage.” Really? So Vermont represenatives don’t know the will of the people they’re representing? Really?


Here’s a few more samplings from across the right side of the spectrum:

“Marriage is larger than any judge or legislator. It’s the only social institution with the purpose of giving a mother and a father to every child, and lawmakers ignore that purpose to the detriment of society.” — Focus on the Family

“Same-sex ‘marriage’ is a movement driven by wealthy homosexual activists and a liberal elite determined to destroy not only the institution of marriage, but democracy as well.” — Tony Perkins, Family Research Council

“Politicians should never impose a system that intentionally deprives a child of a mother and father. The state should do everything necessary to ensure that children aren’t denied their most important birthright: a mom and a dad.” — Alliance Defense Fund

“… By redefining marriage, the Vermont legislature removed the cornerstone of society and the foundation of government. The consequences will rest on their shoulders and upon those passive objectors who know what to do but lack the courage to stand against this form of tyranny.” — Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel

“The first human relationship was between one man and one woman, and it became the foundation of all society. Vermont legislators’ futile attempt to replace God by vainly redefining marriage eerily follows how that first man and woman acted on the first temptation – and the root of all temptations – to act as if they were gods. That one decision by Adam and Eve to believe that they could ‘be like God’ separated them from God, destroyed the peace that they had experienced, and ushered in what some would call ‘unintended consequences’ of pain and destruction.” — Wendy Wright, Concerned Women for America

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