Now, don't get me wrong but, America was based on a foundation for religious freedom, right?
People got on boats, came to America, started new lives, to get away from the Church. You know the one I'm talking about. Well, that's the short version anyway.
So our country, this country, the United States of America, was built on the foundation of freedom, religious freedom in particular. And then we had slavery, and we realized it goes against said foundation of freedom. So slavery was abolished. And we were all "equals," another foundation of this country.
But then there was segregation and things weren't really equal after all, thus the civil rights movement. And over time, we recognized how important equality was. So segregation was out, women could vote, and we were moving in the right direction.
Fast forward to 2012, we have made strides. Great strides. But there are still civil rights issues that for some reason, we just can't figure out. There is still racism, there is still discrimination, there is still a fight against sexuality.
Now, what I don't understand, and the fact that people are missing: our country was built on a separation of church and state.
There is more than one religion for a reason. America is based off freedom, "freedom of speech, freedom of religion," and so forth. Trying to force the beliefs of one religion down a nation, while you can argue it's your "free speech," it affects my freedom of religion.
Someone may believe homosexuality is a sin, but I don't. So should I be forced to have my laws created for your religious views? If you are so Christian, and you love the sinner, but hate the in, you could still give the sinner his rights to equality and freedom. Your faith doesn't make his laws. And your church does not have to recognize his marriage. Just like your church does not control our government.
Gay rights is a political issue, not a religious issue. All civil rights come down to the fact that equality is necessary in every state and every country. Religious and person views are preventing that. The government cannot continue it's attempt to make laws based on faith.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
My Body, My Choice, My Right
I've been on bedrest so naturally I watch a lot of TV, something I've never really done before.
I've always had those specific shows I tried to catch on Wednesday or Thursday nights, but I rarely just sat down and flipped mindlessly through the channels like I do now.
But I have surprised myself. I have started watching the news! I live with two politicians so naturally, MSNBC is constantly on.
My new favorite website is MoveOn.Org. It provides the latest clips, updates, and articles on the hottest topics in politics, and it is, for the most part, directed at my demographic: young voters who sway towards the liberal viewpoint. For anyone who has been keeping up with the news, you know the biggest debate right now is over women's healthcare.
I feel like Senator Sanders said it best in this speech he gave:
The top comment on YouTube said it best, " The Obama plan enables Protestant women to use birth control while allowing Catholic women to choose not to use birth control.
That's religious freedom. All women should be free to choose the approach that fits their religious beliefs. Employers should not be attempting to impose their religious beliefs on their own employees in an area of life as private as family planning...
Respect the religious liberty rights of the individual."
I honestly believe that if any of the GOP candidates are elected, our nation will spiral back into the fifties, and all of the headway we have made in civil rights will be close to void.
Just look at the behavior Rush Limbaugh recently exhibited towards Sandra Fluke, calling her a slut because she stated that birth control could cost her up to $3000 during law school, roughly $1000 a year.
If my birth control hadn't been covered by my health insurance, it would cost me between $70 and $120 a month. Last year, my birth control was changed four times over a course of three months, for health reasons. Oral contraceptives help relieve women of heavy periods, severe cramping, and are used as a treatment method for cases of endometriosis.
I'm sorry the Catholic church and the Republican party would prefer that women suffer during that dreaded time of the month... maybe if they weren't all men they would actually be informed on the issue and understand the uses. And just because it goes against your belief, doesn't mean it goes against mine. It's my body, it's my choice, and it's my right. Not yours.
Also, congratulations to Maryland for becoming the 8th state to legalize gay marriage!
I've always had those specific shows I tried to catch on Wednesday or Thursday nights, but I rarely just sat down and flipped mindlessly through the channels like I do now.
But I have surprised myself. I have started watching the news! I live with two politicians so naturally, MSNBC is constantly on.
My new favorite website is MoveOn.Org. It provides the latest clips, updates, and articles on the hottest topics in politics, and it is, for the most part, directed at my demographic: young voters who sway towards the liberal viewpoint. For anyone who has been keeping up with the news, you know the biggest debate right now is over women's healthcare.
I feel like Senator Sanders said it best in this speech he gave:
The top comment on YouTube said it best, " The Obama plan enables Protestant women to use birth control while allowing Catholic women to choose not to use birth control.
That's religious freedom. All women should be free to choose the approach that fits their religious beliefs. Employers should not be attempting to impose their religious beliefs on their own employees in an area of life as private as family planning...
Respect the religious liberty rights of the individual."
I honestly believe that if any of the GOP candidates are elected, our nation will spiral back into the fifties, and all of the headway we have made in civil rights will be close to void.
Just look at the behavior Rush Limbaugh recently exhibited towards Sandra Fluke, calling her a slut because she stated that birth control could cost her up to $3000 during law school, roughly $1000 a year.
If my birth control hadn't been covered by my health insurance, it would cost me between $70 and $120 a month. Last year, my birth control was changed four times over a course of three months, for health reasons. Oral contraceptives help relieve women of heavy periods, severe cramping, and are used as a treatment method for cases of endometriosis.
I'm sorry the Catholic church and the Republican party would prefer that women suffer during that dreaded time of the month... maybe if they weren't all men they would actually be informed on the issue and understand the uses. And just because it goes against your belief, doesn't mean it goes against mine. It's my body, it's my choice, and it's my right. Not yours.
Also, congratulations to Maryland for becoming the 8th state to legalize gay marriage!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)