Democracy, the Constitution and the Judeo-Christian Concept of Free Will

Many religious communities fight against gay marriages and abortion rights. This fight runs contrary to three crucial concepts of our society and religious faith, and endangers our republic.

Top reason #3 why gay unions and abortions should be allowed

One of the pillars on which our republic stands is the constitutional separation of church and state. The framers of the constitution looked back through history and realized that when a state accepts one religion as the "right" religion, that is the beginning of its end.

When religion is allowed and sometimes even used by the state to force people's choices, democracy is lost. The framers did not say that religion is wrong. They did not say that atheism is the best way to go through life.

The framers did realize however that religious faith is a choice that each individual must be allowed to exercise for him or herself. This freedom is what they sought when they separated church and state.

To argue on religious grounds that the government should ban gay marriage while supporting marriage as a union of one man and one woman flies in the face of that separation of church and state. The government must either allow both, or else get out of the marriage business altogether. To argue based on faith that Roe v. Wade must be overturned is wrong for the same reason.

Top reason #2 why gay unions and abortions should be allowed

Democracy is a form of government that gains its legitimacy from the agreement of the governed. The citizens agree to give up some of their personal freedoms in return for the advantages offered by organized society.

These freedoms that are given up include a portion of property rights, in the form of taxation. Another limitation accepted as part of our social contract is that the strong are not allowed to take from the weak. A third is the limitation placed on free speech when that speech incites to violence or hatred.