R-74 does not “redefine marriage,” contrary to popular belief.

There is a common misconception that parents will somehow “lose control over what their children are taught about marriage.” I would ask who exactly will be doing this teaching? If the belief is the public schools, I would argue otherwise.

As a parent who spends many hours annually in my children’s schools, I suggest this particular subject is far from the educators’ minds. Teachers will not be marching up and down the halls with rainbow flags redefining marriage. They are way too busy making sure their students are adequately fed and dressed so the children are mentally and physically prepared to learn.

Rather than regurgitating fictitious talking points, I would suggest teaching differing beliefs, the democratic process, tolerance and our right to choose our religion, which we love, where we live and our freedoms as citizens.

A letter to the editor recently suggested that Catholic adoption agencies in Massachusetts and D.C. (she forgot Illinois) had to close because they had to “choose between fulfilling their social mission based on their religious beliefs, or accepting this new definition of marriage.” Catholic Charities were simply being asked to abide by non-discrimination laws in order to receive public funding.

I assume the Catholic church is hesitant to allow same sex couples to adopt due to a fear there is a possibility of abuse? If so, I am not sure the Catholic church is very credible when it comes to issues of protecting children. I believe they had a bit of their own institutional scandal recently.

This fear that “traditional marriage” will be redefined, and the sacred bond of marriage is under threat, let’s gather some perspective. Our society treats marriage like a disposable commodity, with over half of all marriages ending in divorce. Where is the outrage over that? This statistic is way more destructive to our society, especially our children. I am not sure heterosexual couples are setting a good example here.

If consenting adults, in a committed relationship want to be allowed to call their relationship marriage, just like my wife and I do, then I say amen. After all, who is more committed than a couple who has had to fight discrimination for their right to be recognized?

– Art Weichbrodt