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This election cycle, EqualityMaine gathered more than 35,000 signatures in support of gay marriage legislation. Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine said to WCSH6 in Portland that their “plan in Maine is we know we have to change the hearts and minds of Mainers. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to do the work. We’re going to do the hard work of talking to voters.”
America has seen activist courts playing the role of antagonists to the will of the people on this issue. This course of action not only deepens a divide between the American people, it also perverts the arguments on both sides. No one person should be forced to accept another’s lifestyle choices.
Looking through a conservative lens, the way EqualityMaine wants to change the definition of marriage is much more likely to be accepted than what other groups around the country have done in the past. Smith’s statement should be looked upon by those on both sides as a positive step, not a negative one.
What tees me off is that for some on the “conservative” side, the way EqualityMaine wants to forward this issue somehow infringes on their personal and religious beliefs. So-called “Conservatives” better be careful not to fall into the trap of bigotry here. EqualityMaine wants a public debate on this issue, not a forced mandate. EqualityMaine needs to be careful as well to honestly respect the opinions of others. If the people of Maine cannot have a true debate, freedom and liberty are weakened.
This country has a diversity of religious beliefs. God can be called by any name without fear of reprimand by the government. Freedom to practice religion is one block upon which this country was built. Throughout history, marriage has been a sacred ritual more in religion than in the public at large. To that end, I am convinced this issue goes far beyond the polarization of both sides. Marriage should be a function of religion, not of the state. All “marriages” that take place outside of religious venues should be called a civil union – both straight and gay. I am further convinced this would strengthen individual rights to practice religion, while sustaining the structure of public contract between two people. Through true public debate of the gay marriage issue we might be able to uncover other ideas on how we can not only tolerate each other, but also truly be at peace with our differences.
The main foundation of the conservative philosophy is individual freedom and liberty within the constraints of an established society, without intimidation or invasion from government. A Conservative believes those individual liberties and freedoms are not gifts from government; they are gifts from God. As a Conservative, my faith in God and my faith in humanity are not mutually exclusive; they are one in the same.
I applaud EqualityMaine for their stance that true acceptance of their position on marriage can only be obtained by a long conversation with the people, not with a judge. I have faith that our society can work this out with minimum collateral damage. I can only hope that other “Conservatives” will start to think of this debate not as a question of their individual faith in God, but our needed faith in each other.
Michael Craft is a senior history and education student.
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