Many years ago
in a Wall Street Journal Editorial, Richard A. Epstein (Live and Let Live,
July 13, 2004) essentially argued that same-sex marriage was not a big
deal--that conservatives should just “leave same-sex couples alone.” Since
then, the state of New York has
decided to jump on the ‘marriage’ bandwagon. In all, about 11 other states are also on that wagon. Today, the Supreme Court weighed in as
well. So, the question can be
asked anew—Could “leave them alone” work?
In his address
at Cooper Union (ironically, in New York) in February 1860, Abraham Lincoln
said that those who promoted keeping slavery legal would refuse to be
"left alone" because it was not in their nature. I think he might say
the same thing to Mr. Epstein, New York legislators, and all others who believe
in “live and let live.” The primary reason I believe this is that I was on the
front lines in Hawaii in 1998 when the same-sex ‘marriage’ crowd tried to force
the issue on that state. It went down in flames. But, as Lincoln predicted, the
proponents of this lifestyle have refused to be left alone. Over the past 15+
years they have just taken their fight to other states (including back to
Hawaii).
So, what might
Lincoln say today about this issue? Here is what my imagination says, using
paraphrased remarks from his famous speech at Cooper Union. (I basically replaced
slavery with same-sex ‘marriage.’):
Will leaving
same-sex couples alone satisfy them? No. Some policy-makers have tried for
years to “live and let live” (i.e. by not enforcing sodomy laws) but this has
not satisfied them.
What will satisfy
them? This and this only: cease to call the practice of homosexuality
wrong, and join them in calling it right. And this must be done thoroughly—done
in acts as well as in words—acts that include the overthrow of state
constitutions that already outlaw same-sex marriage. Silence will not be
tolerated—we must place ourselves avowedly with them.
Their thinking
homosexual behavior right, and our thinking it wrong, is the precise fact upon
which depends the whole controversy. Thinking it
right, as they do, who can blame them for desiring its full recognition? But
thinking it wrong, as we do, can we yield to them? Can we cast our votes with
their view, and against our own? In view of our moral, social, and political
responsibilities, can we do this?
Let those of us
who know homosexual behavior is wrong (i.e. we love the sinner, but hate the
sin) not be diverted by sophistical contrivances such as groping for some middle ground between right and wrong (i.e. “live and let live”). This is as vain
as the search for a man who is neither living nor dead. “Live and let live” is
a policy of “don't care” on a question about which all true men do care.
Neither let us
be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, nor frightened from
it by menaces of destruction ... nor of dungeons to ourselves.
Let us have
faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do
our duty as we understand it. (The full text of Cooper Union can be found here.)
I personally believe Lincoln was
right--those who argue that same-sex marriage should just be "left
alone" do not understand the nature of those who promote this behavior.
They do not want to be left alone—they want to be right. They want to
defeat what is right and replace it with what is wrong. Therefore, those of us
who believe in preserving the sanctity of marriage between a man and a women
will continue our fight.