No one has the right to define marriage

Another letter to the editor from the Missoulian

As I was driving down Reserve Street (which is in itself a nightmare) I was dismayed and offended by the message on the sign of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. It read, "Marriage, One Man One Woman." I was disappointed by the reaction of our country to the issue of gay marriage. While the government claims to be "fighting against people who hate freedom" that same government is limiting the freedom of people in our country.They are limiting the freedom of people to love. We have had a long history of hate and segregation. The issue of defining marriage is one that no one has the authority to define. Particularly the government. Remember the separation of church and state? People cannot use the Bible as a basis for defining marriage. The Bible had numerous models of marriage. Jesus, single; Jacob, many wives. There is no model of marriage. Marriage is a commitment of love, loyalty and promise. How can we as a freedom-loving people be trying to define who can make that commitment?I am speaking from the perspective of a woman who has found love with a wonderful man. Beyond whether anyone is white Christian, black Baptist, European Jew, Iraqi Muslim or gay American citizen, we are all human beings. It is time we promote a society of love and compassion instead of a society of prejudice and discrimination. It is time to stand up for the freedom the government keeps claiming we are fighting for in Iraq. Once the government starts defining our moral values and becomes a religious state we get nearer to a tyranny.
RE, Missoula