Same-sex marriage, politics don’t mix

Have you thought of your wedding day?  Have you pictured the flowers, the color scheme, the dinner menu, or the guests? Perhaps you see ripe daisies, light pink decorations, Asian style salmon, and your closet friends surrounding you.

But a question not so often asked is this; have you imagined the ever famous moment right before the "I do's" and the kiss, with the United States Congress rushing in to object to the wedding?

While the straight community never has to fret with this offensive idea, the gay and lesbian community is sweating bullets thinking of their marriage day.

Though gay marriage and its legalization is a hot topic in modern culture and politics, homosexual citizens have always been a large part of society, even as far back as ancient Rome. That is to say, this is not new business.

Before the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in by President Bill Clinton in 1996, The United States did not officially have an opinion on gay marriage.

The act defined a marriage as a "legal union between a man and a woman." According to dictionary.com, a marriage is defined as a "state, condition or relationship of being married."

Here, we see the split between government and American society. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to recognize same-sex marriage, finding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

Though, the description "unconstitutional" barely covers the political misconduct apparent with gay marriage. The First Amendment of the American Constitution claims "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

From this, the popular phrase "separation of church and state" arose. This concept is clearly stated in such a way that Congress should have no dealings with religious life or aspects. However, in the 1996 debate for The Defense of Marriage Act, religion was the only base of argument.

The truth is, same-sex marriage has very little to do with the "state," or the nation's governmental affairs. Rather, it has everything to do with religion, which is subject area of legislation the constitution forbids.

Furthermore, if gay marriage was legalized in the United States, it would undoubtedly improve the quality of the State itself.

With the rising costs of organizing a wedding, the economy would be boosted. If more gay partners had legitimate marriage licenses, more children could be adopted into America, adding to the work force.

Also, in the political interest, happy people vote for those on their side. More socially progressive politicians would be put in office, improving the overall population.

The basic issue lies within the government's taking advantage of the State for Church purposes.

This decision should be up to the individual picturing the day they will marry the love of their life.