Support for loving couples

Recently, the Catholic Bishops of Washington wrote a letter to its congregations in response to the proposed bill affirming same-sex marriage. One of their arguments is that if marriage is allowed between two men or two women that this will diminish the value and dignity of a marriage between a man and a woman. This is an argument that I have also heard from other Christian leaders.

It is an argument that leaves me very puzzled: How does another couple’s faithful, committed, loving relationship diminish my relationship with my spouse? Is my own marriage only valuable as long as it is an option only for a select few? Is there only a limited amount of dignity, love and respect in the world that I need to grab my share and deny it to others?

It has been my experience that the love, faithfulness and commitment I witness in all my friends’ relationships (heterosexual as well as homosexual) have enriched my life. The unfaithfulness, callousness, me-only attitude in relationships (heterosexual or homosexual) harms everyone.

As a Christian, I believe that we are called to acknowledge the gift of love that God has poured out on all couples, and I applaud the Legislature’s courage to author a bill that allows all of God’s people the freedom and dignity that God desires for them.

Linda Kobe-Smith

Spokane