So this was written by someone I don't really know. He is obviously a Christian. I don't think he intended it for wide publication, but I thought it was pretty good anyway. It was intended of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Coalition" in Oregon.

September 30, 2004

Dear Sirs and Madams:

I received an invitation to your event on October 5. I will not be attending the event and this is why:

I have no idea from whom you are attempting to save marriage. Marriage has never been the domain only of conservative Christians and never will be. Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus and others have been practicing marriage for millennia and it has never diminished Christian marriage. I see no reason to believe that expending this right to anyone who wants a civil marriage diminishes the institution. My wife and I have been happily married for over 35 years and will be for years to come, regardless of whom else is permitted to marry.

As far as I can tell, gay and lesbian people are required to pay the same taxes that I am required to pay. They also have fewer children than couples like my wife and I. That means that a lot of them helped put my children through school. If they have to pay taxes to support our kids and other social programs, then they should be entitled to the same rights, including marrying the person they wish to marry in a civil union.

I’ll be pursuing worthwhile endeavors on Tuesday October 5. I suggest you find something worthwhile to do as well. The amount of time and money Measure 36 has drawn away from charities for children, the homeless, battered women and other important causes is criminal. Right now Oregon’s economy is in serious trouble. The Oregon Health Plan has been cut leaving thousands of children and adults with insufficient or no health care. Education has gone down the tubes (my wife is an educator so I know this first hand), and many other social ills that put people in real danger need my attention.

However, if you don’t care about children, education, and human needs and defense of marriage is really your only concern, I suggest you go after reality television shows like that promote marrying for money and decrying celebrities such as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, etc. who abuse the institution openly on international media and leave people who sincerely want to partake in marriage to live their lives in peace.

One last point: As far as I can tell, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior spent a good amount of time healing the ill and feeding the hungry. He preached a message of love and kindness and expressed anger at those who abused their power as religious leaders. But never once did he preach against inclusiveness or encourage us, his followers, to go down that path.