Alexander Dushku is absolutely right when he pointed out
that culture affects laws, but laws then affect culture, that it's a cycle. And
that by making this a law a can of worms was opened for a lot of our
personal freedoms to slowly be stripped away. And I very much agree with the
minority dissent of the Obergefell v Hodges, when Judge Thomas points out that
the judicial branch of the government shouldn't be the place that this decision
was made, but it should have been made in the legislative branch, by vote.
However, all of that being said, I don't think that what is happening in this
situation is much different than what happened with civil rights. During that
time a lot of personal freedoms were stripped away in the name of abolishing
racism, just like now a lot of freedoms are being stripped away in the name of
abolishing bigotry. I also believe that this movement could be pushed too far
if we aren't careful, and that's the scary part especially for religious people
and religious freedoms.
Ultimately, I don't believe that government should be
involved in marriage at all, but since the government has involved itself, we
as religious people need to separate civil unions/ civil marriages and
religious covenants/ covenant marriages, in our minds and in our
practices. There is a difference between a civil union/ civil marriage of 2
people who legally want to be recognized under the law as being together and
reap the legal and emotional benefits that come with that, and two people who wish
to not only be joined together before God, but have God as a third member of
their relationship.... and there are many varying degrees in between those 2
points on the spectrum. I served a mission in Russia, and everyone there has to
go to the courthouse and sign basically civil union papers, and then they can
go off and do whatever kind of celebration or religious service that they want
to do.... and I truly believe that that’s how it should be everywhere.
Governments can be involved in civil unions/ civil marriages and granting
privileges to people under the law who are in that type of relationship, and
Churches/ religions, and God should be involved in covenants and religious
sacraments, and there should be very little crossover between those 2 things. I
am not a lawyer or someone who has studied the law much, but that to me is one
way to protect both religious beliefs and personal freedoms of
individuals.
Good marriages and good relationships in general should be
about love, trust, commitment, communication, supporting each other through
hard times, financial stability, hard work, fun recreation, honesty, respect,
and so many other good things. And I believe God wants all of those good things
for ALL of his children because He loves them and cares about them. I believe
there is a good, better, best situation happening here. Obviously, the best
situation for the Plan of Happiness and what God wants most for us is to be
sealed together as husband and wife for and time and all eternity. And for two
people who have made covenants and are active in the restored gospel of Jesus
Christ, to bring children into the world and parent those children in love and
righteousness. That is the goal, the best goal possible!! If that is the
best option, the option that will lead to exaltation, then of course there are
lesser options out there and those other options may be steppingstones to
getting the to the best option. Two people (of any gender) standing up before
their friends and family and committing themselves to each other and being
committed to commitment.... is a good thing.... not the best thing and it might
not bring them exaltation, but they will be able to grow and become better
people in this kind of relationship and be able to have families and happiness
in this life. I think we should love and support all people who are making good
decisions for themselves and striving to be better people…. And realize that no
relationship is perfect and it isn’t our place to judge any one else’s
relationship!
I remember a story in LDS living about a lesbian couple who
ended up getting divorced so that they could join the church, it is a very
interesting story and in a roundabout way their marital relationship is what
led them to be active members of the church.
No comments:
Post a Comment