This is a letter that I'm submitting to The Saskatoon Star Phoenix online today:


I'd like to make four points about the same-sex marriage debate.

First, Canada is not a theocracy. Final decisions are made by governments and the judiciary. However, religious groups definitely have a right to voice their opinions during the decision-making process and will not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages. By the way, many United Church and Unitarian congregations are eager to conduct them.

Second, just because something is a tradition doesn't mean that it shouldn't change. Slavery was a tradition in many cultures for centuries. Women still can't vote in Saudi Arabia.

Third, some people feel that heterosexual marriage and the foundation of our society are at risk if same-sex marriages are allowed. How would this increase the already high rate of divorce? Will a heterosexual couple suddenly say, "We need to stop having children and get a divorce because those two women down the street got married."?

Fourth, it's not about shaking the foundations of our society. It's not about proving who's more "open minded" or "progressive". It's about two simple but profound words: love and respect.