Sunday, June 06, 2004
This is a letter I sent to my State Delegate (even though they're out of session):
Dear Delegate Watts:
With the debate still raging over gay marriage, I have a suggestion: the state of Virginia should cease recognizing marriage of any kind. Instead, Virginia should pass legislation that would allow all couples to be legally joined in civil unions, and receive the material benefits thereof. Religious institutions can perform marriage ceremonies if they wish, and per their private status can determine to whom to extend that opportunity.
Marriage is an inherently spiritual bond, and government should not be lending legal credence to a religious procedure. Indeed, most arguments against gay marriage are biblical in nature and speak to the “sanctity of marriage.” It is not the government’s place to recognize a religious practice and grant material advantages to those who choose to participate in it. However, it is perfectly acceptable for the government to recognize two cohabitating people with shared income, joint tax returns, etc. as a special-status group. This is why civil unions should be offered.
Civil unions take religion out of the equation and instead offer secular, indiscriminate recognition of a formal joining of two people. Couples are welcome to also undergo a religious ceremony at any private location which will perform it, but material benefits offered by a secular government should go through a secular institution.
This arrangement allows opponents of gay marriage to maintain the sanctity of their institution while offering all loving couples the recognition and advantages they deserve. I hope you’ll consider bringing up this proposal in the next General Assembly session. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best Regards,
Elliot Haspel
What are the logical arguments against it?
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That's outstanding! I have wondered for a while why, exactly, states were in the marriage business anyway. I want a church to recognize my marriage and I'd like insurance companies, hospitals and funeral homes to do so as well. But I couldn't care less whether I file my taxes together or separately. And I for damn sure don't want the state to dictate what I do with my wife in our own bedroom!
Brilliant piece.
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Brilliant piece.
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