Quote du Jour on Same-Gender Marriage/Prop 8

Alan Stewart Carl at Donklephant observed:

I don’t believe Prop. 8 passed because a majority of the people hate homosexuals or refuse to tolerate them. I think it passed because a significant number of the population didn’t “buy” that gay marriage is a civil rights issues.

The proposition had nothing to do with granting homosexuals voting rights, or allowing them to integrate the school system or even protecting them from workplace discrimination. The issue was the radical redefinition of marriage, of the state telling religious groups that their centuries old beliefs are invalid and that the state knows better than their God. To supporters of Prop 8, the issue wasn’t the civil rights of gays. It was the religious rights of those who do not want to be told how to practice their faith.

I think that is a pretty reasonable assessment.

I think it also supports my belief that the state needs to get out of the “marriage” business.   Let the state recognize the formation of close partnerships, by granting a standardized set of privileges and responsibilities to foster stability and well-being.  Call them “civil unions” or some other term…just don’t call it “marriage”.

Leave “marriage” to the realm of people and their social institutions (churches or whatever).