Presumably, this means if a political candidate opposes same-sex marriage (at the time they are running for office), 34 percent of respondents would never vote for them, according to a recent YouGov poll. Really?
No wonder Republican presidential candidates are bolstering their outreach efforts.
To some, opposing same-sex marriage is a form of racism. In fact, those in the public sphere, who happen to be smart and articulate, can sometimes be ostracized by their alma maters for holding supposedly unorthodox views on marriage. Even giving money to a cause or a group that defends traditional marriage can cost you your job. But such strong-arming is not just reserved for same-sex marriage opponents, of course.
Speakers, for instance, oftentimes find themselves turned away from or disrespected by colleges and universities, especially when their message is unwelcome or perceived to be “offensive.” The controversy over the great American film American Sniper is equally as mystifying; and now, of course, polling suggests that roughly one-third of Americans will automatically vote against SSM-opponents for high national office. Perhaps someone should write a book about this alarming trend. (Oh wait!)
To be clear, voters have a right to vote for whomever they want. That’s their prerogative. But perhaps someday we can put this debate in its historical context. Remember, traditional marriage has been the norm since the time of Christ. Only recently has the Left seen fit to demonize – and intimidate – the masses of nonconformists who refuse to bend a knee. And while the definition of a marriage is admittedly a heated and divisive issue, no one should be welcoming – or indeed cheering – the silencing of those who have a constitutional right to speak. No one.
I’ll leave you with this: A taste of the late, great Christopher Hitchens making the case for freedom of expression, and freedom of speech. Watch the whole clip here.