Vote equality, not religion

Bishop Richard J. Malone issued a statement last week clearly stating the Catholic Church's position on the "redefinition of marriage." In closing Malone says "vote your faith."

That is wrong.

We are governed by the Constitution, not the Bible.

The referendum on same-sex marriage has nothing to do with religion or personal faith – it simply affords the same right for all people to marry who they want and receive the same protections under the law as everyone else.

It is a civil rights issue, not a question of morality.

The Catholic Church has made it explicitly clear it has no intention to marry same-sex couples. That’s fine – there is nothing in the proposed law that would force it, or any other religious group, to do so.

As Americans, we are afforded the right to make decisions about our own lives – to speak our minds, practice our chosen faith, read, watch and listen to almost anything we want.

These very rights must be afforded and equally treated on every level, including marriage. To discriminate against and withhold rights from someone because of their beliefs, race or sexual orientation is against everything we take for granted in this country.

And it is wrong.

Each person's faith is between them and their god. And, likewise, every person should be able to make choices about their life, free of pressure from others – be they religion or government or a neighbor.

This country was founded on freedom from persecution. On freedom of belief. And yet, those very freedoms are challenged repeatedly by religious organizations – be they Catholic, the religious right or, conversely, when we challenge other's religious belief such as Islam.

Neither is right.

We, as individuals, must share the same freedoms, the same right to believe what we want, make choices we want for ourselves.

If we choose someone of the same sex, so be it. If we chose pro-choice, so be it. If we choose pro-life, so be it. If we choose a particular faith-system, so be it. It is our fundamental right. Our Constitutional right. All people are afforded equal protection.

Question 1 is about expanding the basic right to marry whomever they choose to those who have been denied it too long – that is the only moral voters should be considering. It is a question that shouldn't have to be asked yet, sadly, we it is and we must answer and unequivocal "yes."

If what the Catholic Church chooses to call a "redefinition of marriage" is against the Catholic belief system, then let it be dealt with within the Catholic Church and within all churches.

There is and should be a separation of church and state.

The state of Maine, and this country, must afford everyone equal rights.

Let us live our lives and our faith as we choose.

Let us vote what is equal for all men and women.