friday
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2007
- Messages
- 801
- Reaction score
- 196
- Location
- Florida
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Very Conservative
Equality has been the buzzword in the news lately thanks to a million dollar, forced decision by the President to finally admit to the view we all know he's had on gay marriage since way before 2008. But when equality and separation of church and state are discussed in relation to gay marriage, I think there is way too much social and media hype for people to actually understand the conversation. There are many who say that gay couples are not being treated equally until the government recognizes gay marriage, even if the government allows civil unions.
To challenge our thinking on equality, I have an analogy. Here it is:
A country is founded on our basic constitutional principles, but is founded by Jewish colonists. The government is established by the Jewish settlers and the country begins primarily as a Jewish country. However, the country soon becomes diverse with Gentiles moving in. Still, Bar Mitzvah certificates are used as part of the census process going back traditionally to the country's founding.
Due to drinking problems in the country, a law is passed that drinking is only allowed by individuals who have come of age by proof of a Bar Mitzvah certificate. This creates an obvious inequality because now only Jewish adults can drink. In the upcoming election, four candidates have offered a solution to this inequality. Here is the question: which view brings this fictitious community to true equality?
Candidate #1 offers to create a non Bar Mitzvah coming of age certificate. This certificate could be issued to Gentiles who have reached the right age and apply for it.
Candidate #2 offers to redefine the Bar Mitzvah ceremony to include Jews and Gentiles.
Candidate #3 agrees to extend the drinking age to anyone who reaches 13, but also wishes to make the government define Bar Mitzvah as a distinctly Jewish ceremony.
Candidate #4 will get rid of the drinking age and census tracking of adulthood altogether.
To challenge our thinking on equality, I have an analogy. Here it is:
A country is founded on our basic constitutional principles, but is founded by Jewish colonists. The government is established by the Jewish settlers and the country begins primarily as a Jewish country. However, the country soon becomes diverse with Gentiles moving in. Still, Bar Mitzvah certificates are used as part of the census process going back traditionally to the country's founding.
Due to drinking problems in the country, a law is passed that drinking is only allowed by individuals who have come of age by proof of a Bar Mitzvah certificate. This creates an obvious inequality because now only Jewish adults can drink. In the upcoming election, four candidates have offered a solution to this inequality. Here is the question: which view brings this fictitious community to true equality?
Candidate #1 offers to create a non Bar Mitzvah coming of age certificate. This certificate could be issued to Gentiles who have reached the right age and apply for it.
Candidate #2 offers to redefine the Bar Mitzvah ceremony to include Jews and Gentiles.
Candidate #3 agrees to extend the drinking age to anyone who reaches 13, but also wishes to make the government define Bar Mitzvah as a distinctly Jewish ceremony.
Candidate #4 will get rid of the drinking age and census tracking of adulthood altogether.