Rev. Derek McCoy says the marriage of a man and a woman offers the best environment for raising children (“Pastor encourages people to vote against Question 6 in marriage rally,” Oct. 7 Times-News).
I’ll put aside the research that has shown that children raised by two loving adults, regardless of gender, is best for children.
Most same-sex marriage supporters want the same legal protections and financial benefits provided to a male-female marriage. As others have noted, same-sex unions will not produce children, so nothing will change as far to who raises children.
Pastor McCoy also states, “ … but they don’t have the right to redefine marriage. Marriage is about more than what two adults want.” He is quite wrong. Marriage has been defined by two, not always separate, entities — church and state.
What is the church? What is the state? Answer: people. That’s right, people. People have defined marriage and can certainly redefine it just as they can and have redefined other concepts. What is marriage other than what two adults want?
It is, from the state’s view, a legal contract, entered into willing by both parties — willing, i.e., what both parties want! It is, from the church’s view, a spiritual commitment to each other, entered into willing by both parties — willing, i.e., what both parties want!
Pastor McCoy noted that marriage has been this way for centuries.
Many aspects of marriage have changed over the years, including the one man, one woman aspect. Other cultures have embraced polygamy. Human beings change things that no longer work or do not work as well as something else.
For centuries, countries were governed by kings, queens and dictators. The English and we Americans (and others) threw out that form of government and established republics where leaders were elected and governed with the consent of those being governed.
The definition of marriage as being solely between a man and a woman is now being thoroughly questioned with many people believing that that definition now needs changed.
Pastor McCoy’s point about the criticism that arose when Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy spoke out in favor of “traditional marriage” is also inaccurate.
No one was trying to deny Mr. Cathy’s right of freedom-of-speech. He is certainly entitled to his beliefs and to express them verbally. Freedom-of-speech however does not include freedom from consequences.
Question 6: “Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.”
A vote against Question 6 is a vote against equal rights before the law of a segment of our society — it is NOT a vote to force religious organizations to do anything against their beliefs.
Rodney Horning
Cumberland
Letters
Vote for Question 6 to preserve equal rights
- Letters
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
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Organization needed to help utilize the Potomac River
I am a committee remember on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway which stretches from Palmetto to Venice, Fla.
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Reducing meat consumption can help ease climate change
A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of “Environmental Research Letters,” found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities.
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Maryland has stopped being “The Free State”
I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and, last but not least, the National Rifle Association. I am a yearly member of the American Legion.
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Save the Bridge Program
Please do not close the Frostburg United Methodist Church Bridge Program. The community and many families need this program. Let me enlighten you about a few things.
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Town of Westernport needs a police force and a curfew
Since the consolidation of Bruce and Valley high schools the town of Westernport rapidly deteriorated from what was once a quite respectable community to a community in a decline in residents, and along with that came a collapse in local government due to lack of knowledge and bad decisions that set the town of Westernport back 60 years.
One bad decision was to give up their police force, and with no constant visual law enforcement it has created an open range for drug dealerss, addicts, thieves, drunks and speeding vehicles that choose to ignore our city laws and speed limits and have totally disregard for the safety of the citizens who are on the streets, especially the children who are like deer, you don’t see them until their in front of you. -
Financial gutting will damage school system
I am writing in response to the Allegany County Commissioners’ efforts to cut local education spending to the lowest possible level allowed under state law.
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Cemetery organization plans events to mark Memorial Day
This upcoming Memorial Day marks the 30th anniversary of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization (CHCO).
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Outside water customers pay for town’s mistakes
The following is the opinion of the individual and in no manner reflects the opinion of any other person or organization.
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We’re twisting the meaning of the Founding Fathers’ words
I really had to chuckle when I read a recent comment someone made in a northeastern publication: “I’d like to suggest that Congress make a tiny change in our Second Amendment that would more accurately reflect the Founding Father’s intent (to wit): “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear muskets, shall not be infringed.”
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
