Rite vs. right

I seem to remember a time not too long ago when the debate with regard to gay rights centered around a concept called "civil unions." Now the debate is centered around a concept called "gay marriage."

I was with the gay activists when what they sought was equal protection under the law. Now it seems the gay activists wish to commandeer the word "marriage." Unless I am wrong, "marriage" is a religious "rite," not "right."

It appears the "slippery slope" is in full effect. If we continue with the slippery slope, in five years we will be debating whether a church leader should be forced to perform a marriage ceremony for a gay couple.

I believe that one's secular rights end where another's secular rights begin. I also believe in equal rights (not rites). Considering the fact that liberals believe that religion and government should be as separate as possible, it baffles me that liberals would insist on appropriating religious terminology. Why would a group so opposed to a valedictorian referring to God at a graduation ceremony (a secular rite) be so adamant about assuming the vocabulary of a sectarian rite?

 

JEFFREY O. MAST
Cecil