Leave religion out of same-sex marriage debate

The March 6 letter by Marvin Hoppenworth that stated he had no problem with “the gays” or “the lesbians,” yet wanted to deny them the right to marriage, caught my eye. Why? Because yet again, the matter of religion was pulled into this debate. Let's be clear, when it comes to legal matters, there is supposed to be a separation of church and state. Religion should not factor into whether or not people of the same sex should be able to get married.

So that factor is a moot point. He also brought up the dictionary definition of marriage and stated it was just between people of the opposite sex. Well I just checked Merriam Webster online and found that the definition now includes both opposite and same-sex relationships in its definition of marriage. Another moot point.

What it comes down to is what constitutes marriage. At its base, marriage is an intimate or close union. I just don't understand why it matters whether that union is between a man and a woman, two women or two men. People want it limited to civil unions, why? Because they're uncomfortable with it?

Remember decades ago when some people were uncomfortable with African Americans drinking from the same water fountain as Caucasians? How ridiculous is that notion now? Same-sex marriages are not going to sit at the back of the bus any longer.

The country is evenly split on same-sex marriage, and the tide is turning.

Chandra M. Jordan

Marion