Religious Bigotry of DOMA

I'm thrilled that at least a few of our politicians have some sense of decency. There effort to repeal the highly discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act is commendable. However, more emphasis should be placed on the nature and origin of this hideous affront to our Constitution and the freedoms it is supposed to guarantee.

Religion is the source of this irrational bigotry aimed at homosexuals. Occasionally, opponents of same-sex marriage try justifying their denial of basic rights to homosexual through sociological and cultural claims. All of them have been routinely debunked. Al Franken's exposure of Minery as a liar is a pretty good example (check out the video in the piece linked above). It always comes down to religious beliefs, and religious beliefs alone.

I find this both annoying and amusing since it is very hypocrital. There are two passages from Leviticus (18:22 & 20:13) that are almost always cited for the purpose of justification. Setting aside that creating public policy out religious beliefs alone is in direct violation of the first amendment, this narrow focus is rather telling. Nowhere in the Bible does it specify which parts of Mosaic Law (Contained predominantly in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy)are to be given greater weight. There are dozens of "sins" listed before, between, and after the Leviticus verses on homosexuality.

For the sake of expedience I'll stick to just a few that appear in between:

      "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
       And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; tou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19: 9-10

So, nearly every one in agriculture are sinners. They tend to harvest everything they can. How many in the big agricultural companies reserve a portion of their fields for the poor?

       "Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee" Leviticus 19: 19

I've always thought Monsanto and ConAgra were evil but this seems to be a bit excessive. The fashion industry also seems to have avoided the wrath of god despite all their blended garments. Are there any wardrobes left in America that don't mingle different materials?

        "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that commiteth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Leviticus 20:10

Just how many of the Republican politicians who always seem eager to oppress homosexuals have not committed adultery? Does this mean if they can justify DOMA we can justify lynching them? Even if you're Bible thumper this one has to end badly. After all, some of their greatest Biblical heroes were unrepetent adulterers (Abraham, Noah, David, etc.)

These are just a few of the passages they conveniently ignore. There are plenty more. As for using any passage of the Bible to promote public policy I just have one thing to say,

        "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peacably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." Amendment 1, United States Constitution