On Aug. 29, you published a letter written by a Barbara Ferraro from Hilo, touting how important it is for Christians to speak up against gay marriage and therefore preserve bibical values in Hawaii. Unfortunately, this lady “cannot see the forest for the trees.” Has she not heard of the constitutional separation of church and state? One of the greatest things about America is that Ms. Ferraro can live by her values and I can live by mine. (Well, almost.) It is called equal civil rights for all citizens. The Constitution wisely protects minorities from the tyranny of the majorities who wish, as she and her church, to impose their values on all people.
Same-sex marriage
an equality issue
On Aug. 29, you published a letter written by a Barbara Ferraro from Hilo, touting how important it is for Christians to speak up against gay marriage and therefore preserve bibical values in Hawaii. Unfortunately, this lady “cannot see the forest for the trees.” Has she not heard of the constitutional separation of church and state? One of the greatest things about America is that Ms. Ferraro can live by her values and I can live by mine. (Well, almost.) It is called equal civil rights for all citizens. The Constitution wisely protects minorities from the tyranny of the majorities who wish, as she and her church, to impose their values on all people.
Now, as for support to oppose same-sex marriage, let us label it clearly and exactly for what it is. It is more of the hate game/lame game/so ugly and transparent, so tiresome and depressing after all these years, and so demoralizing and dangerous. It is the back-of-the-bus mentality;same venom, new target; it is the pseudosupremist hiding behind the misuse of religion for numerous reasons and in doing so think they are “better” than someone else. Hate begets hate, a simple but crude fact.
So, I challenge Ms. Ferraro to tell the public how passing same-sex marriage legislation will affect churches in Hawaii. Exemptions are already in place. I also challenge her to demonstrate how anyone forces her to believe as she believes, or live the life she has chosen. What gays and lesbians are very often forced to do is to live an incongruent life, which is so very unhealthy. Popular culture increasingly is portraying gays and lesbians as part of mainstream America. Think about it. There is so much more sameness than difference. Our nation is growing younger and is now more tolerant and more convinced that someone else’s choice of a spouse is neither their business nor such a big deal. Passing same-sex marriage will no longer deny gays and lesbians our pursuit of happiness. Equality is coming of age — and it is about time.
Shay Bintliff, MD
Waimea