Love is something none of us can control, we can analyse how we feel maybe even understand why, and yet none of us can say "I'm going to love that person".
Love can occur in a flash, love can be a slow burn growing stronger with each year until life would have little meaning without the one you love.
Love is a bond stronger than steel and no mere law can prevent it, I am whole because I love and am loved.
I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion -
I have shudder'd at it.
I shudder no more.
I could be martyr'd for my religion
Love is my religion
And I could die for that.
I could die for you.
~ by John Keats ~
I met Marie-Louise at a party in central London [1998], love at first sight? Well if stomach cramps are a sign I suppose so since I could hardly string an intelligent sentence together. Lets say it was just an overwhelming attraction to a colourfully dressed Martiniquaise. I have since managed to curb her enthusiasm for clashing colours. I remember when she first said "je t'aime" I was sick over some roses in Regents Park and cried for the sheer joy of it all, all my doubts and fears were left in that flower bed. Over time my love for her grew into the deep banked fire it is today, we had our civil union [PACS] in Vannes [France 56] in 2001. This gives us similar rights to marriage and as an nontheist [Buddhist] that suits me fine, however Marie-Louise is a practising Catholic and would dearly love a Church sanctioned wedding to celebrate our love.
I cannot understand why many want to deny to so many the celebration of love for another that is marriage. Most of all I don't get that a religion that is apparently states it is founded upon love would deny anyone the right to sanctify and rejoice in their union. They even will go so far as to want to deny a civil marriage just because naming it such undermines their faith in some way.
They say a family is the rock on which our civilisation is built. Yet they would try to refute that this can exist as a stable and powerful base if the parents are not of different genders. Who are they to decree what is right? All marriages can fail and leave ugly results behind.
The Supreme Court of California is not only going to judge if Proposition 8 is legal but at the same time pass judgement on many peoples lives. Can they deny basic human rights?
It would appear to go against our founding principles.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
Proposition 8 is one battle in a long line however it is a turning point and if it is upheld in a progressive state than it could put back equality by a generation or more.
Some would say "but don't call it marriage and it will be easier to legislate", I would say "that is denying many their right to celebrate their love".
Have no doubt Proposition 8 is trying to define what is socially/legally acceptable, not just what defines marriage.
Our song, says it all.
Love knows no bounds.
Love is.
Note: Inspired by today's Guardian and http://www.13lovestories.com/ .
Feel free to add your own tag.
Typical the one howler I can't change is in the poll, defined, sheesh.