Society of respect begins with equal rights
"What happened to people's right to say no?" asks LeAnne Seavers, when defending an individual's right not to participate in any aspect of same-sex marriage.
Simply put, the right to say "no" ends when it becomes discrimination, as in the case of a bakery that refused to make a cake for a gay wedding. This is no different from a restaurant refusing to serve "colored people," which was legal until specifically prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Ms. Seavers also does not understand why judges should have to retire or step down because they refuse to preside over same-sex marriage ceremonies. Again, the answer is simple. Judges are sworn to uphold the Constitution and all of the laws of the land, not just those they personally support. When they refuse to do so, there are logical consequences.
Funny, I don't recall reading any objection from Ms. Seavers when a local church fired a longtime music director for violating its teachings by publicly announcing his same-sex wedding plans on social media. Are church employees the only ones who must follow the rules established by their employer?
Ms. Seavers says she is not anti-gay, only anti same-sex marriage. In her defense, she says, two of her "dearest friends" were gay. If I am understanding her point, she supports the right of those, including herself, to violate the law and deny her "dearest friends" the benefits and protections conferred by marriage.
Why? Because people who are "forced to do things they oppose" will be resentful of one another, she says. If our goal is to build a culture of respect, we must, at a minimum, begin with a foundation of equal rights for all.
Majority rules does not mean the majority can trample on the rights of the minority.
Sheryl Jedlinski
Palatine