Proponents of #HJR3 Should Think of Long-Term Impact

HJR-3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would super-duper ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, etc..., has passed a committee vote in the Indiana House of Representatives. The proponents of HJR-3 were excited for a victory that, a few days ago, may not have happened since the original committee was likely to vote it down.

It is evident that, due to the support of much of the evangelical and Tea Party groups, that proponents of this amendment largely take a stance based on their Christian faith. This is not to say there aren't proponents of HJR-3 who take their stance based on other reasons, but the vast majority of them are based on faith.

And I want to speak to those people.

Let's first off point out that there is no push for additional legislation for marriage regulations and laws based on Christian faiths. In some Christian faiths, it is forbidden to re-marry. Even if you divorce that person in a civil court, the Church may still see you as a married couple. In the Roman Catholic Church, there is a process known as annulment, but it is a difficult, long, and costly process, and not all annulments are granted.

Why is that?

Some of the major proponents, both within the legislature and the movers and shakers of the evangelical activist groups, have been married and divorced multiple times. State House gossip suggests a lot more than passing laws goes in when the legislature is in session. Yet the evangelical groups, the Moral Majority crowd, welcome these people into their fundraisers with open arms.

Why is that?

And finally, let's think of the long-term impact of HJR-3, the possibility that a religious belief will be enshrined in our state constitution.

What happens in 50, 100, or 200 years, if Christianity is no longer are the majority religion? What if another religion is the majority, or atheism and agnosticism is wide spread? Is it now okay to impose religious believes, either by statute or by the constitution, just because one has the power to do so?

I think freedom means freedom for everybody. And I hope my fellow Christians will stand up for everyone's freedom. Maybe then, they'll stand up when your freedom could be put to a vote.