Gay Rights

gay rights

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. ~ Nelson Mandela

It’s hard to view all the discussion about gay rights and marriage equality without also seeing the insanity in the whole discussion. I can’t help but wonder why this is even something that needs to be talked about or decided by government officials, churches, private interest groups or any individual. But having just watched the movie Lincoln, I could see just how insane it was in those days that people were arguing about freeing the Blacks from slavery. And God forbid that one day we would give them or even women the right to vote. So many were ready to fight and even die to preserve their control of others, regardless of the cost or consequences. While the oppressed simply remained suffering in silence and darkness.

We have certainly come along way from Abe Lincoln’s era, but still I see that we remain in the stone age in so many respects. It is not for me or you to decide what rights any other living being has, any more that it is our right to take another life simply because we can.
If two people love each other, and want to marry each other, what in the World would compel me to think I have any right to judge or decide this? To me this is no different than deciding who has the right to breathe or even possess a beating heart.

Life is no less precious for the tiniest creature than it is for any human being. And because we have the ability to control or abuse another being, does not mean that it is our right. The right to freedom, love, family and peace are inherent to each of us. The time is long past due that we allow all living beings to enjoy their lives freely, while doing no harm ourselves or others. And in loving ourselves we can begin to understand this is not a right to give or take but only to be shared unconditionally. And until we begin as a society to treat each other with the respect that we all deserve, I am afraid we remain a far less civilized nation that most of us might think.
Loving and accepting one another without judgement, dogmas, speciesism, or any form of bigotry, is the only path to developing a pure heart and peaceful society. Let each of us be a light to one another and free all those who’s voices are not heard. Let’s come out of the dark ages, and understand that gay rights are not ours to give. Kumbaya my friends.