Bigotry

I don't know where this picture was taken or who the bright young people in it are. I found it at the blog of The Omnipotent Poobah. But I agree with the sentiment expressed. Quoting the Bible does not make bigotry any less bigoted. This was true when it was used to justify slavery, segregation, and discrimination against women -- and it's just as true when it's used to justify denying equal rights to gays/lesbians. In spite of what the fundamentalists want, this is a secular country and our laws are based on the Constitution -- not the Bible (or any other religious book).

While the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion (which includes freedom from religion), it also guarantees that all citizens will have the same (and equal) rights -- including granting same-sex couples the same rights and legal protections as opposite-sex couples. There is no reason why these two rights (freedom of religion and equal rights) cannot co-exist. Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply trying to use religion as a cover for their own bigotry.

Now don't get me wrong. The Constitution also guarantees free speech. As odious as it is, citizens of the United States have the right to be bigots, and to speak out on behalf of their bigotry. What they do not have the right to do is use their bigotry, cloaked in religion, to deny equal rights to any of their fellow citizens.