To the Editor:
Re: Paul Kokoski’s Letter to the Editor, June 29.
Mr. Kokoski asserts that same-sex marriage is unconstitutional but does not point to any place in the U.S. constitution to prove his point. I would argue that amendment XIV, Section 1 of the U.S. constitution, which says that no state is allowed to “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the protection of the laws,” is a basis for arguing that same-sex marriage is constitutional.
He also states “the bible clearly and unequivocally condemns homosexual acts.” He is correct about that — at least as it concerns male homosexuality. Leviticus, Chapters 18 and 22, indeed does that. But Leviticus also states that “a man who curses his mother or father shall surely be put to death.” It also proscribes death sometimes by stoning for various sexual acts and situations that millions of Americans, straight and gay, have engaged in. Anyone can check this by reading Leviticus.
If Mr. Kokoski’s point is that the bible is the infallible word of God, and that the laws we enact and enforce should be guided by these words, it should follow then that he should advocate laws that would be in line with these words — even though their enforcement would mean the execution of millions of his fellow citizens, some by stoning.
He also wrote, “marriage is ordered for the procreation and education of children.” So, would he favor the outlawing of marriage of any man and woman who, because of age or medical condition, cannot procreate? What about a man and woman who want to marry but declare their intention not to have children?
The opponents of gay marriage have said that it is an attack on family values and would undermine heterosexual marriage. How two men marrying or two women marrying would undermine the happy marriage that my wife and I have, or how it would hurt us in any way, is beyond me.
Mike Altman
