The Burning Bush of Same Sex Marriage
By Michael Boyajian
I heard a very interesting baptismal sermon by Father Richard Visconti of the Caroline Church on Long Island this past weekend. He spoke of the risks we take in life. There is monetary risk, recreational risk like bungee jumping, occupational risk like being a fireman, and there is ideological risk which he specified by mentioning same sex marriage.
It did not mean that he was for or against the issue but that the idea of same sex marriage has entered the dialogue of mainstream America. Yes, as polls in favor of same sex marriage rise so too does the public’s discussion of marriage equality as it finds a place in the public mindset not as something that provokes anger but just as another facet of American life.
It is true that many have sacrificed for the cause of marriage equality. People have sacrificed their career futures, their wealth and even their health from the stressful ups and downs of the battle for same sex marriage.
But that is ok for as the Buddha has said there can be no gain without suffering. In order for marriage equality advocates to win the hearts of the electorate sacrifice must be made and that will be followed by the reward of equality.
Now in the past it seemed that religious people opposed same sex marriage yet here in this sermon is an Episcopal priest talking openly of the issue. My how far we have come that now theologians have entered the fray by putting same sex marriage in their vocabulary.
So though it may seem things are going bad after events in California and the debacle in the New York State Senate polls are actually trending in favor of marriage equality as it permeates beyond the ballot box into the body politic where it will give birth to an ultimate victory symbolic actually of a baptism of sorts. That is my friends a fact that will not be altered regardless of the circumstances thus giving rise in the end to a great national awakening.
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