Marriage, a contract
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Christine Kelley correctly notes in her letter in support of same-sex marriage ("Nature and Rights," Oct. 28) that "to deny rights enjoyed by others based solely on even the majority's religious beliefs is un-American." The Founders specifically guarded against the development of factions in devising a constitutional republican form of government -- not an unlimited democracy -- and, as such, attempts to erode those protections are inconsistent with original intent.
For too long religion has enjoyed an ill-begotten monopoly on marriage failing to acknowledge that, in essence, marriage is a contractual relationship between consenting individuals.
A government's role is solely to recognize and enforce the contract, not stipulate the genders of the parties involved. Religion and marriage should be divorced.
AMESH A. ADALJA
Butler
First Published November 5, 2012 12:00 am
