HollisterFreelance.com | First Amendment still applies

First Amendment still applies

Mar 22, 2004

What a great country we have. There's no place like it. The land of the free; the home of the brave. We've got it all in America. We are even given the freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion, all by the First Amendment. No one tells us what is right or wrong, who to fall in love with, or who we can marry - or do they?

Our founding fathers escaped tyranny because they believed that one person had no right to tell them what they should believe in or impose their beliefs on what is morally right or wrong. In this country, one person cannot decide what is immoral or wrong for many others.

We all make use of our many freedoms everyday. Maybe you decide to practice Buddhism or decide to speak your mind. We all have our rights. I legally have the right to write this column to state my opinion, as does any American.

As a registered voter, I strongly disagree with President George W. Bush's proposal for an amendment banishing same-sex marriages. This kind of legislature is the kind our founding fathers escaped. I know our country is better than that. Through the amendments, we have: abolished slavery, banished cruel and unusual punishment and repealed prohibition.

However, we have also made mistakes such as allowing African Americans only 3/5 of a vote and establishing prohibition in the first place. I do not doubt that prohibiting same-sex marriage will be another gaffe.

Who is President Bush to say whether or not two human beings can be married. You know what, who is anyone to tell another person what they can or can't do, due to their own religion or personal beliefs that do not apply to the other person? Why is there so much fuss? Why do people care so much about what does not even concern them?

The fact of religion has been brought up in this issue. People say that same-sex marriages are forbidden in the Bible, but remember that this Bible is based on the Christian faith. If I recall correctly, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Thus making each religion identical to the next, including the Christian religion.

So why should our President instill his personal beliefs and religion on the whole American people? Last time I checked, this was a free country, where not one religion or belief was considered superior. This is still that country - right?

Chantel Guajardo is a senior at San Benito High School.