It has been brought to my attention that the Jefferson County (IL) Board will be voting at their regular meeting on June 25, 2012 regarding an item which is entitled “SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN (2012)”. This is proposed as a resolution that will have no bearing on anything. The Board has no power to recognize nor to define marriage, however they feel that it will benefit them politically with the churches (my opinion).

Here is the text of the proposed resolution:

WHEREAS American society historically has recognized the sanctity of marriage
between man and woman as central to the stability of our nation and its moral
posture; and

WHEREAS this rational moral view is now threatened by current trends that seek
to distort this view toward acceptance of unions that stand directly opposed to the
sanctity of marriage; and

WHEREAS many state and national leaders presently are seeking to reaffirm
through legislative decrees and public statements our historic stand on the sanctity
of marriage between man and woman; and

WHEREAS from the beginning it has been understood that the traditional model of
marriage is to be a sacred union between man and woman; and

WHEREAS the Jefferson County Board further affirms the sanctity of marriage
between man and woman through a practical commitment addressing family
responsibility by declaring, “Marriage is a spiritual union in which man and
woman are joined by God to live together as one”; and

WHEREAS it is imperative that the Jefferson County Board now enter the arena of
public debate concerning this ever-increasing threat to the sanctity of marriage
between man and woman;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the Jefferson County Board, do
reaffirm our commitment to the families of Jefferson County and its ever-present
defense of marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we encourage our fellow elected bodies to help
preserve marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman.

Wow. That’s a lot to read. There is a lot to pick apart here and think about. I question the morals of any country that engages in torture continually and helps the rich get richer – including with government funds (bailouts). Hey, the county brought up morality in the text above, not me.

The sanctity of marriage can be debated considering the exceptionally high divorce rates in society. If the Board wanted to help in that regard, perhaps they should pass a resolution against divorce. Since they saw fit to throw religious tones into this proclamation, it might be fair to bring up that divorce was only an exception in the bible in reference to a wife fornicating with another man. ‘Irreconcilable differences’ is pretty weak if you want to be biblical about things. I would wager that divorces have done more to foul up kids’ lives than two men or two women getting their rocks off together.

I am assuming that the overtly religious tones the Board asserts are culled from the bible. Specifically I’m guessing that they are pulling their stance from the oft-quoted passage in Leviticus here:

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. ~ Leviticus 20:13

Now, I am definitely not attacking religion with this post, however I feel that I should point out a few other passages from Leviticus as well for comparison:

Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. ~ Leviticus 19:19

But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales–whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water–you are to detest. ~ Leviticus 11:10

Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD. ~ Leviticus 19:28

So now we cannot breed mules nor different cattle (depending on your translation). We cannot have fields used for multiple crops. We cannot wear blended clothing (say goodbye to Spandex). We cannot eat shrimp or any other aquatic creatures save for fish. Finally, we should not have tattoos.

Wow. That kind of puts a crimp in a lot of things taken for granted today. Semantics can be argued ad-nauseum, however if one scripture is good then they all are good. Assuming the passage is not specifically repealed somewhere else in your particular holy book. What I mean by this is that either the chosen holy book is enforced or not. Don’t be a hypocrite.

If you want to say tattoos are cool because the Old Law (old testament) does not apply because we are governed under the New Law (new testament) then that is good enough to eliminate the other passages as well. I’m fine with that. Keep wearing your cotton/poly blend shirts too. While you’re at it go ahead and have some shrimp and lobster for dinner.

Another facet of this argument is that these people are ‘living in sin’. Okay, if you want to pick and choose what to enforce then how about these choice bits:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ~ John 13:34-35

So then, we are to love everyone, no? Even if those people are in sin we are to love them yet avoid the sin they might engage in behind closed doors. I’m good with that. So quit writing meaningless proclamations and be loving toward everyone.

I’m tired of writing about this subject and trying to point out flaws in arguments because I know in the end that people will argue with me. People will defriend me on Facebook. Most of all I may have people who won’t speak to me because they refuse to think and are happy being ignorant. In their closed little minds I will be evil. If that is how you want to be, so be it. Individuals have to think for themselves and act how they believe. Who is the Jefferson County Board to attempt to decide that for them?

One final thought you should draw from very hard no matter your religion:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ~ Matthew 7:1

Have a great day, and I hope to see you at the next Jefferson County Board meeting on June 25th!