Religious Scholar

Organized religion has many virtues, but, in a secular state, it also may serve as a wedge to divide people from their civil liberties. This is currently what is happening in the gay marriage debate. One does not hear of "Secular Humanists Against Gay Marriage" or "Atheists for Male-Female Matrimony." The overwhelming number of people in the United States who oppose gay marriage do so because of doctrines rooted in a literal Biblical context.

The literal interpretation of the Bible, a treasure of religious guidance, spirituality and moral direction, is to blame for much in the way of gay-bashing as it has also been used to subjugate women and, at times, to justify the enslavement of human beings. When I think of literal interpretation, I am reminded of the Laurence Harvey character in the movie, The Manchurian Candidate, who has been programmed to have a Pavlov reaction upon seeing a certain playing card. If he sees the card and someone says, "go jump in the lake," he will do exactly that.

If only one could free individuals from mental programming of such power that it causes the very destruction it is developed to prevent. One can only applaud religious institutions and individual seekers who use reason and compassion in interpreting their spiritual heritage. We do not live in a theocracy, but in a society where diversity prevails and liberty is a Constitutional guarantee. We cannot impose our religious views--no matter how strong our convictions--on individuals in a free society. We cannot use the literal interpretation of the Scriptures of some to deprive others of basic human rights.