Marriage is holy sacrament, not a right

Although I respect the Orlando Sentinel editorial board’s right to express its opinion (“Past time to end state’s same-sex marriage ban,” Sunday), I think the premise of the argument— that those seeking same-sex relationships have a right to be married— is wrong.

Our society has become so liberal that a vote will probably allow same-sex marriage in Florida— andwe will go theway of other societies that historically have drifted from productive, God-fearing, value-driven citizens to “anything goes,” just before everything collapses.

Read your Bible— there are plenty of examples that illustrate that point.

I usually stay out of politics and moral arguments because they revolve around beliefs and values — things that are difficult to defend to those who hold different views. Inmy opinion, this is a values issue that my liberal friends have somehow managed to cast as a “right” in whatwe think of as our “free” society. Nothing could be farther fromthe truth inmy view.

In the “moral world,” marriage is essentially a religious ceremony. In the Book of Common Prayer, the sacrament is called “Holy Matrimony” and its purpose is outlined as follows:

“The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture and knowledge of the Lord.”

I’m not sure where we went off the tracks with all of that, but I think we have.

There are manyways to extend “rights” to the folks who seek same-sex relationships. Holy matrimony shouldn’t be one of

them.

AlKoller Titusville