Words Will Never Hurt Me

Kiss of Young Love

One word, so much meaning. Not even Webster’s or Wikipedia can define it the same way. How can we expect a committee in D.C. to define it for our generation?

Marriage is a complicated word. The concept of it has existed for thousands of years, however the purpose and meaning behind it has changed significantly. Is it a religious word, or is it a legal term? Either way, it’s a massive debate amongst people of different cultures and religous backgrounds.

Perhaps the biggest debate regarding marriage today is its meaning. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, and access to the full legal benefits of our government is a civil right guaranteed to all. Where does marriage fit into this? It has both a religious and legal definition, but who has the right to make the “true” definition of the word?

Would people’s opinions be different if the word marriage were removed entirely from law, and reserved only for religious purposes? Or is marriage no longer a religious word and instead simply a legal right available to two people who choose to dedicate themselves to each other? In a country where one of the basic tenets of religious freedom is separation of church and state, marriage has gotten tangled in the middle and is neither entirely a religious institution nor solely a legal status.

The true question is whether granting marriage rights to everyone infringes on religious beliefs of some, or if it simply extends a civil right to all Americans. After we get past the religious baggage of the word marriage, we can start to have a true debate on the topic. If you believe civil rights are for everyone, regardless of race, gender, belief, or sexual orientation, it’s time to speak out. —Ryan Dorshorst