The Lantern

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Opinion

Matthew Struhar [Click to enlarge]

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, suspended in a permanent ego-trip, believes that there is a "gay and secular fascism" trying to impose its will on the United States. Calling this dire threat "very dangerous," Gingrich warns that it is threatening so-called "traditional marriage" and "historic Christianity." Not surprisingly, these comments were aired on "The O'Reilly Factor," further mocking the notion that O'Reilly's show is the "no spin zone."

There is no "gay and secular fascism" trying to destroy any religious tradition. Can Gingrich show any evidence that having equality in civil marriage compromises traditional religious practices? It is as if the Carthusian monks depicted in "Into Great Silence" will all of a sudden stop praying because two men in California are getting married. How absurd.

Marriage equality in California, as short lived as it was, made 18,000 couples quite happy. Thirty-six thousand people experienced a joy previously denied to them. Multiply that number by the family members and friends who were able to see their loved ones experience such profound elation and excitement. It is awfully cruel that mere majorities of people have the power to erase such happiness from people's lives, not to mention awfully peculiar that majorities have the power to deny so many their rights and liberties under the Constitution.

More foolishly yet, Gingrich asserts that marriage equality is a threat to Christianity; but even the most traditional Christian, one who would believe that homosexual unions are incompatible with this theology, has to laugh at that claim. The violently imposed secularism of Soviet communism failed to quell the power of this amazing religious tradition, and no modern social trend will ever strip the world of the indelible impression Christianity has left in the hearts of billions.

Gingrich and O'Reilly were, of course, responding to reports of protesters, who gathered nationwide Saturday in opposition to the reinstatement of California's ban on same-sex marriage, acting unseemly. Perhaps a few, justifiably angry, acted disorderly, but in this case, the only people who have imposed anything on anyone are the people who have voted for the countless statewide bans on marriage equality. More aggravating, still, is the fact that marriage equality hurts nobody. No religion would be forced to recognize these unions, but the few that do will now be able to perform these marriages as they would any other.

Neither fascism nor secularism has anything to do with this. This is about love and happiness, and if anyone thinks homosexuals cannot experience true love or true happiness, then they should consider the more salient issue: our country's founding principles. Marriage and love are innately tied to the happiness many pursue, and if the pursuit of happiness is not a sacred liberty protected by the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment, then what is? There are questions that are beyond the reach of majorities, and to perpetually disrespect the rights and liberties of millions of Americans pursuing happiness is to render the Constitution moot.


Matthew Struhar is a senior in history and political science. He can be reached at struhar.1@osu.edu.

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