Prejudice and intolerance; they come in many forms. Nearly everyone has some sort of prejudice or intolerance against someone else; even if they are apprehensive to admit, or know, it exists. Usually the prejudice and intolerance rear their ugly heads whenever someone wishes to do something to others, for whatever reasons, deem inappropriate.
The Holy Bible has been used since time immemorial to defend every form of prejudice and intolerance imaginable. History is rife with human beings committing all manner of atrocities, one against the other, in the name of one God or another.
Therefore, it is no wonder that the idea of same-sex marriage has become such a hot button topic.
Opponents from all sides state their narrow-minded reasons why same-sex marriage should not be allowed. Many believe the Holy Bible supports their stance, while others believe it is simply immoral. For the most part, people refuse to acknowledge the possibility that there are no real differences between traditional and same-sex marriage. Part of the argument against same-sex marriage is child rearing.
It is often believed that parents of the same-sex cannot properly prepare children for the world around them. In truth, same-sex couples can often be better equipped to prepare children for the world in that they know what prejudice and intolerance truly are. This type of knowledge can be vital in a child’s development and interpersonal skills; as opposed to being taught prejudice and intolerance. Proponents point out that not only do they have the God given right to make their own choices as to whom they would like to legally spend their life with, but their sexual orientation isn’t a choice to begin with.
There are those who believe that sexual orientation is genetic and not a choice. Ask anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, the exact day and time they made that (sexual orientation) choice – and most will be unable to tell you. Why? Because, as many understand, it is not a choice. Whether or not this belief is held to be true, there is the inescapable fact that most people never really made the choice to be attracted to one sex or another (or both). It just happened.
From a legal stand point, same-sex marriages are a complicated mix of majority (anti-same-sex marriage) rules and minority (pro-same-sex marriage) rights. However, just because one is in the majority does not automatically mean the minority is on the losing side.
More and more, society, whether it agrees with it or not, seems to be bending to the will of the same-sex minority. Prejudice and intolerance are slowly being replaced by a live and let live, don’t ask-don’t tell, methodology. While this may not be the revolutionary reversal of opinion many pro-same-sex marriage couples seek, it is a major step in the right direction. Tolerance is just the first step. Once people see that same-sex marriage is, at it’s core, nothing more or less than two people who love each other, tolerance will become acceptance and acceptance will become normal.
