Reactionaries abuse sacred texts

It has been both amusing and sad to follow the back and forth between various Christians regarding same-sex marriage and whether it is forbidden by the Bible or not.

Many people, myself included, do not look to the Bible, Koran, Torah or any religious text as the ultimate authority, but rather what we the people have voted for, which is the legalization of same-sex marriage. That includes businesses, which are legally required to serve everyone, black, white, straight or gay, equally.

A Christian reading this may assert that God’s laws trump men’s laws. If that were true, we would be living in a theocracy or have Shariah law. Thankfully, we have separation of church and state.

Social change is typically difficult and scary for many people. Think of the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the civil rights movement, etc. Each of these was a test for our country, and each was opposed by people who used Bible passages as a justification for their hostility. Each of these movements not only made us a better society, but also a more compassionate people.

With time and understanding, the same will be true about same-sex marriage.

Michael Sherriffs Hall

Spokane