Grefenberg: "Marriage Amendment Un-American"

The Roseville Human Rights Commssion recently adopted a resolution opposing the proposed state constitution Marriage Amendment with the group's chairman Gary Grefenberg calling the ballot initiative "un-American."

To see a full report on the Commission's resolution and action, click on to this . (Want to keep abreast of Roseville news and information? Sign up for our free .)

Grefenberg offered up the following statement on why he is opposing the  Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

"The Amendment is un-American, for these reasons: It purposes to make one religious belief dominant. It does not separate Church and State, and puts one sectarian theology and Biblical exegesis as dominant.

The Amendment is unfair. It penalizes certain families who through no fault of their own desire to share their lives with another person of the same sex. It distresses their children and their parents unnecessarily. 

What good results from such an amendment? To believe that it protects marriage by extending the benefits of marriage to more couples is not rational.  As we heard from many heterosexual couples their marriages are not threatened in any way by allowing gays and lesbians to marry.

For those who support the Marriage Amendment I cannot believe that in their hearts they really believe a Yes vote protects marriage. For them it is simply an opportunity to score another victory in the Culture Wars, an opportunity to put off change a few more years, and—I say this with some trepidation--an opportunity to bolster their faith that because they are not a minority their faith is right. As if what is right is decided by majority vote, and God agrees.

We heard that last Thursday night(May 10) from a gentleman who complained that at some of the legislative hearings he attended he even began to feel like a minority.  That for me was a teachable moment, leading me to believe that fear is the main reason for this amendment, fear of the unknown and fear that its proponents need the government to sustain their faith.

When we, the Human Rights Commissioners, were sworn in, we took an oath to protect the Constitution. When our elected officials assume office they swear an oath as well to protect the Constitution. These oaths are often sworn on a Bible to protect the Constitution, they are not sworn on a copy of the Constitution to protect the Bible."