The Pursuit of Happiness 

   The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right...now lets work on tolerance. As quickly as it sprung up it in the headlines, the Gay Marriage debate left the headlines. This week was a unique and open to suggestion moment in history of the United States. Coming on the same week as the Nation recognizes Independence Day, The Supreme Court made a decision that has changed the way people observe marriage. It is no longer just between a man and a woman, but two consenting adults that have admiration for one another.

   We start another chapter in our history as a nation. Is it the right one? Only time will tell. People have already taken the decision to a perverse level, with articles of persons wanting to marry their personal electronic device, or have more than one spouse. The legal ramifications are years in the making and yet to be fully disclosed. What is the pursuit of happiness and can we find it according to Locke’s established writings on the subject?

  Our nation was found on principle that we recognize this weekend. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But does one group have the right to take happiness or life away from another. The argument for Gay marriage deposed another group of their religious freedoms based on belief. I am not an ardent supporter of Gay Marriage, but I am also not a cynic. I recognize a persons need to have a partner, to feel like a couple and to have a relationship with another. I think that is a human need. I also recognize a person need to have a religious belief, yes even atheist have a belief in non-believing. But why force your beliefs or ways on to others, gay or spiritual. We live in a nation where you don’t have to be forced to accept a person’s belief, because you have the freedom to believe what you wish. You have the right to be free to worship or not worship. Traditionalist beliefs are of a time and culture of couples being a man and a woman, where progressives have accepted a different view and have moved toward it in our time. Religious convictions have and will be tested, but no longer will the rights of marriage be, that decision has been made.

   The life long history of homosexuality is recorded throughout history. The acceptance however has been nonexistent, it was only in whispers , and Hollywood tabloid style rumors. For the first time in our nation it is recognized as a legal right. There are still legal issues to be addressed and over time we as a nation will have to accept it is here to stay. We will also have to accept the other members of the nation and the religious freedoms they are afforded by the same constitution that allowed gay rights activists there largest victory. The naysayers won’t be able to force others to bend over religious belief, just like the religious zealots can’t stop to people of the same sex from being recognized as a married couple. The LBGT movement came into the news like a avalanche with its flamboyant ways and look at me attitude, and it left the headlines overnight with the victory so long sought after. Look and see how many news articles where posted about LBGT in the news since the ruling. It is no longer a news headliner to be gay, it’s just another part of being in America and a member the American melting pot.

   The peace of the nation is in the middle somewhere between the polarization of religion, sexuality and of recent race. The tolerance of which was the opening of this blog was the tolerance of others, their Religious belief, Sexual Orientation, Race, and even cultures, with out giving up our own National Culture.  Healing is what the nation needs, on so many levels. The Nation needs to come together again as one body with the belief in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We are a nation that overcomes adversity, now is the time to heal and pursue our own happiness, with out infringing on others, but including them. Happy Independence Day!

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/gay-marriage-supreme-court-politics-activism/397052/

http://www.salon.com/2015/06/29/gop_candidates_same_sex_marriage_test_whos_willing_to_be_honest_about_what_just_happened/
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/30/supreme_court_gay_marriage_john_roberts_dissent_is_wrong_about_polygamy.html