Society needs to rethink
its rules on marriage

Roy Law says preachers need to tell gays and lesbians about God’s word (March 1 letter to the editor, “Clergy need to preach Bible to homosexuals”). We all need to look at the Bible to see what God has to say, not only to gays and lesbians, but to the rest of us.

Let’s consider two common practices: divorce and remarriage.

In Mark 10:1–12, Jesus affirms the traditional Jewish prohibitions against these acts. But some modern Christians have a different take.

In his sermon “Dealing With Divorce,” the Rev. Jerry Falwell says,

“In a society with a 50 percent divorce rate, it is my conviction that the church must restudy the word on this subject. Where we have been too unforgiving, we must re-evaluate our position on divorce.”

If we can re-evaluate biblical interpretations and secular laws to accommodate heterosexuals, then surely we can re-evaluate the civil rights of gays and lesbians to receive the same legal benefits divorced men and women enjoy.

Marriage is both a legal and a religious institution. We need to separate these two threads. All couples who want the rights and responsibilities granted by the state should have a civil ceremony.

If a religious blessing is desired, go to a house of worship that nourishes your heart, mind and soul and speak your vows before God. This arrangement would preserve the sacredness of marriage and provide equal treatment under the law.

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