Human Rights Campaign Posts Religion-Themed 'Changing the Conversation' Video

RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR ARGUMENTS

by Sadler Hill

74-year-old Member of the Bars of D.C., South Carolina, and Supreme Court of the United States. This is respectfully submitted

in amicus curiae nature, not ex parte.

RELIGIOUS ARGUMENT:

Jesus is not quoted as saying anything explicit about homosexuality. But Jesus uttered aplenty condemnation of divorce (apparently including "annulment" of a consummated marriage) and remarriage as "adultery." (Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:8-9). Indeed Jesus condemned both "fornication" and "adultery" (Mark 7:21 and Matthew 15:19 [King James Version, Revised Standard Version, and Oxford Study Bible] somewhat different sins, else one of these words is superfluous). Yet only "adultery" is prohibited in the Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18] (KJV, RSV, OSB, GoodNewsBible, &The Living Bible). .

Apparently "adultery" must be defined as sexual relations between a married person outside marriage or between a divorced person and someone else he or she re-marries while a former spouse lives (See 1 above). And "fornication" must mean sexual relations between two life-long single, or married but widowed-by-death, people. Yet none of the Ten Commandments prohibits "fornication" or even the "catch-all" of an "abomination."

While many would throw gays a second-class-citizen sop of blessing gay unions, this still implies they "live in sin" (at least "fornication") and, thus, are not allowed full participation in God's love that complete vows of marriage provide. If divorce and remarriage when a former spouse lives is, to God, "adultery," then a fortiori that is worse to God than a homosexual union between two consenting, life-long, single adults which, though arguably sinful, would be "only" "fornication."

Probably most people believe Jesus would condone most heterosexual divorce and remarriages (especially in cases of abuse). For, if there is domestic violence or emotional abuse, divorce might be best for both partners, and remarriage could make a more loving relationship for the new couple and for children of the prior marriage. And, if Jesus will condone the adulterous divorce and remarriage (at least in some instances), so, too, a fortiori He will condone gay marriage, which would desirably end the less sinful fornication of many homosexual relationships. Gay marriage should foster a more lasting, committed relationship that could diminish promiscuity that may lead to HIV/Aids.

Also, see "Brokeback Mutton," by William Saletan, SLATE, "Washington Post" 2/4/2007, about a study that shows homosexual activity is natural in lower animals; ergo, it cannot be unnatural in human animals created in God's image. And it should not undermine the natural order of society any more than virtually free divorce and remarriage of heterosexuals does.

SECULAR ARGUMENT:

It seems obvious that the Federal Defen

Sadler Hill of SC 1:19AM July 30, 2009