Fear of the Different

The Times Union of Albany, New York printed a letter from Amalia Rubin of Niskayuna arguing that denial of marriage equality is based on racism and religious biases.

In fact, the idea of marriage being between one man and one woman for life and procreative purposes is a relatively modern, European Christian view.

Many people in the world come from cultures where polygamy has been acceptable. India has some polygamy and polyandry. China has polygamy, polyandry and walking marriage, a matriarchal tradition in which husband and wife do not live under the same roof.

To claim that marriage between one man and one woman is the only form of marriage would be to say that the other traditions and cultures are not real marriage or true morality.

This claim that the modern Christian view on morality is ultimate goes hand in hand with the mistaken idea that all other cultures are inferior and barbaric.

I will point out that many Christians support marriage equality, or at least some freedoms to marry in addition to the heterosexual, monogamous, nonconsanguineous form.

We no longer live in isolated fiefdoms, cradle to grave, behind walls in the shadow of a church everyone in the community attends. We are a connected planet with people who migrate to places on the other side of the globe. In most countries, there are going to be multiple religions practiced and various forms of marriage. This is a reason why full marriage equality is important.