Two of the biggest stories today are Rosie Odonnell’s gay marriage (part of the backlash over President Bush’s call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage) and Howard Stern’s eviction from Clear Channel radio stations (part of the backlash over Janet Jackson’s breast baring Super Bowl show.)
Interesting that both stories are fundamentally about the ongoing cultural battle to define a basis for morality. Don’t let all the political and legal rhetoric fool you – at root this is a disagreement over the foundation of right and wrong. The basic questions are these: Is homosexuality right or wrong? Why? Is it wrong to get naked or talk graphically about sex on the air? Why?
Because neither side of the public face of these arguments can adequately answer the why question, there is no possibility for agreement. For example, arguments for homosexuality include “It feels right,” It is natural – animals do it” and “no one gets hurt.” Arguments against homosexuality include “It is bad for the kids” and “It is unnatural” and “all kinds of people get hurt, both physically and otherwise.”
This type of discussion can get nowhere, because all the reasons given are subjective and can be easily countered. What we all need to realize is that, ultimately, every moral question in the universe boils down to this: Is there a God? If yes, how does God want us to behave. If there is no God, then do whatever the heck you want because there is no standard for right and wrong. This is the issue we should be debating.
Ultimately, the real issue in every moral debate is theological. However, because theology is not allowed in American public debate, there is no objective standard for argument and all that is left is politics. The only option left open to proponents of a position is to try to force their values on others. This is why we no longer see debate, we see political and judiciary power grabs. On one hand, the gays try to force their agenda through the courts. On the other hand, the President tries to make a new law. It’s just a big power play. Instead of saying to Howard Stern why what he does is wrong, we will just get congress and the FCC to intervene and stop him.
Let’s get past the politics and discuss the real issue: Is there a God and if there is what does God think of homosexuality or graphic sex talk. I believe there is a God and he abhors these things. I am convinced that there are very good reasons for my position. You may disagree. Fine, tell me why. We can talk. Just don’t try to muddy up the issue with a bunch of non-reasons for your moral position.