What Gay Marriage Says About Liberty and You

You may think that the Supreme Court granting gay marriage as a fundamental right won't affect you. The Court decision reaches you in a way that doesn't appear obvious on the surface. On the surface, it's only a question of same sex marriage. Under the surface, it redefines where your rights come from. Are fundamental rights granted by the Court or given by God? A fundamental right is an inherent natural right that receives the highest protection by law. Governments, according to the Declaration of Independence, are formed to secure the fundamental rights given to us by God. Because fundamental rights are given by God, we all have the same rights. Gay, lesbian and transgender people have the same rights as heterosexuals have or anyone else. But there are limits to those rights. Thomas Jefferson said, "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others." My liberty stops at the borders of your freedom, and your freedom stops at the borders of my liberty. When the Supreme Court grants a fundamental right to one group that infringes on the equal rights of others, it reshapes the borders of liberty. Property rights, parental rights and religious freedom rights are being reshaped by gay rights. The Court's decision shifts the ground of liberty from God to government and our response to this decision will shape the future of America. I wrote this, in a sense, to ring the Liberty Bell. This book is about liberty and what the Court decision that grants same-sex marriage as a fundamental right does to liberty and you.