Equal Rights for All!

What is the basis of decision-making, I ask, that was used by the vast majority of individuals who voted in favor of Proposition 8? The answer can be summarized in one word: religion. While this approach is the prerogative of the individual, I thought that the separation of church (and I use the term broadly) and state had already been established in the annals of ancient history. Letting religious beliefs influence the law and letting the basic rights of some citizens be determined by the religious convictions of other citizens is not in the spirit of democracy or justice. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, as much Proposition 8 supporters would like to disagree, marriage is very much a legal right. Regardless of its cultural or religious roots, marriage has become a legal institution that caters to people of all religious affiliations, as well as atheists, that is recognized by the law and given certain privileges and that has been practiced as such for centuries now. Hence, civil marriage is very much a legal institution, and therefore, has an identity separate from religion, which ought to be upheld.

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