Enjoying a weekend up north, and while I was doing some dishes today this Frank Sinatra song played on the oldies station my parents list to:
Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You can't have one without the other
Love and marriage, love and marriage
It's an institute you can't disparage
Ask the local gentry
And they will say it's elementary
Try, try, try to separate them
It's an illusion
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion
Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like the horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother
You can't have one, you can't have none, you can't have one without the other!
Call it what you like - cute, quaint, sentimental, naive, or out-dated. However, whether we like to admit it or not, everyone knows our society was healthier and our country stronger when it was built on the marriages and families that formed responsible, moral communities. In the mid- twentieth century, when this song was written, marriage was expected of young couples "in love" because it was seen as best for them, their future family, and their community. While some may argue that this is just old-fashioned, I would argue that our society has reaped no benefits from homes where parents have no commitment to each other. They are putting their children at risk of an unstable environment and putting their own wants ahead of the childrens' well-being.
It occurred to me how sad it is that, in the course of fifty years, our society has set aside even the most basic of values. We have chosen to ignore problems instead of addressing them, and our thinking has become twisted to the point of affirming destructive lifestyles - IE unmarried couples living together, having children, even gay marriage. Sinatra and his audience would be shocked to see this vital institution being discarded as it is today.
I realize that gay marriage is another issue in and of itself, however, it is closely tied to the issue at hand. Some have argued that using legislation to prevent gay marriage is an attempt to legislate morality, that it is a freedom to which gays have a right. While our Constitution offers and guarantees many freedoms, it is clear that the Founders held strong moral convictions and sought to develop a society based on the same. I think they knew that we may stray from these Founding principles and beliefs, however, they knew that the risk had to be taken to ensure ultimate freedom. And, just as the Constitution provides for the rights of man, it also provides opportunities for us to defend our beliefs. I am willing to hear the viewpoints of gay rights proponents, and all I ask is that they be willing to hear mine. We both believe our view is correct, and, under the Constitution, we have the right to peaceably promote our views. As a Christian, I must raise my concerns about the gay lifestyle just as I am concerned for unwed couples, especially those with families. This is not legalism, it is a desire to see the best for my family, friends, community, and country.
Until, next time, blessings!