I don’t want marriage, I want happiness

I don’t want marriage, I want happiness

If traditional marriage based on religious values is only between a woman and a man, then what about civil marriage deviant from tradition with possibly and in most cases a not religious affiliation? Since the latter is recognized by our government and hence supported by our constitution should it be granted to any individual no matter their sexual preference?  Therefore, what is the real big deal of allowing same sex marriage?

It only seems that Proposition 8 serves as another example of a society based on traditional values that these days hardly equally represent modern and prospective generations. In a society of sophisticated technology, easy access to a multi-variety of information which they all ameliorate our understanding of knowledge it is almost ironic that we base the majority of our decisions on primordial religious interpretations of the Bible or other sacred books; especially when religion has been previously used to control and isolate minorities like women and not white people. For instance, since 1863 up to 1967 anti-miscegenation laws were enforced in United States by exalting and invoking interpretations of the Bible that were racists. On the same matter, women were considered propriety of men with not right to own propriety, to vote, to work, etc. They were only to be used as servants of proliferation. Time has passed since those days; battles have been fought; people have gained and lost and society has moved forward. Citizens to some degree have learned to accept and live in a world of opposite and colorful opinions. Every Sunday during the mass our priests exalt the beauty of tolerating those who don’t share our beliefs and of helping those who are “different” and “special” such as people with disabilities, orphans, or families being affected by catastrophes. Outside the church, the same prayers become rituals of hatred against subgroups like gay people because considered deviant from tradition.

But should Proposition 8 really be about religion; or is it really about religion? The constitution states that anyone has the right to practice their own religion, including no religions at all if that is of desire (depending on interpretations). Therefore, if one is not affiliated to any specific religion how can he/she be negated the civil action of getting married? If the problem lays on the assumption that marriage is based on a religious code and hence allowing only a man and a woman to join together, should we redefine the meaning of marriage in alignment with modern needs of society? If traditionalists feel strong on the issue of maintaining marriage among heterosexuals, should we create a new word for marriage that embraces equality, progress, and love?

No matter what, love and the quest for happiness will eventually prevail inhumane injustices of a traditional society that is struggling to keep alive outdated values. These days with the evolvement of globalization, technology and science the human species is capable of surviving without the recurrent joining of two heterosexual people. Artificial insemination allows single women to have children; adoption allows couples to improve the life of the least fortunes. Moreover, gender roles have been reversed: men have learned to cook, to clean and do laundry; while women have embraced a journey in the public sphere. We can’t stop progress from happening, because it has already happened; but since we are all made of different opinions we can come together to find a compromise, a solution that will please to some extent both parties.