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Counterpoint: Preserving traditional marriage

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Sally Kern

For centuries, traditional marriage has been the bedrock institution of society, providing stability and sustainability. Only traditional marriage produces children, which perpetuates future generations.

While same-sex couples can adopt or be inseminated, this is not the norm. For posterity, society has a vested interest in preserving traditional marriage. Countless studies prove that children thrive best when reared in a home with a mother and a father. Children need the unique qualities that each gender brings into the nurturing process. Also, a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman helps to protect from STDs.

Biology is important in the same-sex marriage debate. It doesn’t take a genius to know that a man’s and a woman’s body parts naturally fit together. The anatomy of opposite sexes was made to complement each other. Two men or two women can’t physically complement one another. There are also other differences between the sexes than just physical. Emotional and psychological differences exist. A man cannot meet all the needs of another man and vice versa.

Homosexuals say same-sex marriage is their civil right, comparing their quest for marriage equality to blacks in their struggle for equality. But homosexuals have always had all the rights of citizenship, unlike blacks. They can vote, own property, hold a job. They’ve never been bought and sold as slaves, or had separate bathrooms or drinking fountains. Homosexuality is not self-evident the way black is.

Homosexuality is not inborn. If it were, from which parent was it inherited? No validated scientific study has ever proven there is a “gay gene.” Everyone is equal and worthy of respect, but not all ideas or behaviors are equal. Granting legal status to a behavior is wrong. Is adultery morally equal to fidelity?

The Bible gives a historical perspective of marriage. In Genesis, chapters one and two, God created one man and one woman and told them to multiply. Thus, the institutions of marriage and family were established, and God’s standard for all time was set. Since mankind rebelled against God, his standard is often broken, causing misery and pain.

The book “Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality” reinterprets Scripture to support homosexuality. The book is contrary to historical Christianity and sound biblical interpretation. It does not change God’s standard.

In Matthew 19:4-5, Jesus affirmed the Genesis account and upheld marriage as between one man and one woman. The high divorce rate among heterosexuals is no more pleasing to God than same-sex marriage. Jesus’ silence on homosexuality is not an endorsement of it. He also said nothing about rape, incest, drugs or pedophilia. Surely, these aren’t acceptable?

Marriage is more than just an institution for romantic love, adult convenience or social acceptability. To redefine it is to make it something different. Same-sex marriage will devalue marriage and weaken society. This has been proven in Norway, where the rates of traditional and same-sex marriage have declined and the number of out-of-wedlock births has increased since same-sex marriage was legalized.

Granting marriage status to homosexuals who comprise little more than 3 percent of the population would be like granting all applicants admission to a prestigious college just because a few meet the qualifications. That school’s status would fall. Likewise, the status of marriage will fall if same-sex marriage is legalized.

Scott Jones' view: Equal protection under the law

Rep. Kern, a Republican in Oklahoma City, serves House District 84.

More OKC Pride coverage:
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53 Comment(s):

Church and State

Most of your arguments are based on your religious beliefs. They have no place in this. This country was founded on the separation of church and state. Denying people the right to marry based on a religious argument is unconstitutional.
6/24/2009 9:45 AM | Goldie

Gay Marriage is not a threat.

Like Goldie stated, if you took away the Bible you wouldn't have an argument. Sally should not be worried, there will always be enough heterosexuals to produce enough offspring to populate the earth. If anything I think we should stop having so many kids. Representative Kern needs to find a better way to frame her argument.
6/24/2009 10:28 AM | Spinlenox

THIS is the counter-argument?!?! HAHAHA!!

Oh, Sally... As embarrassing as your lunatic rants are, you're still quite a bit of fun. It's always nice to see that the opposition's justifications for their positions are illogical and irrational. I'll take a bit of pleasure in picking your editorial apart. 1. "Only traditional marriage produces children, which perpetuates future generations." - Is this serious? Surely, Rep. Kern realizes that marriage is not a prerequisite to reproduction. Starting her editorial with such a fallacy is comically bad form for a State Legislator. She then goes on in the next sentence to acknowledge that same-sex couples can indeed become parents through means also enjoyed by heterosexuals. But, because that's not the "norm", she dismisses it in the case of homosexuals. 2. The idea that same-sex marriage would somehow prevent EVEN ONE heterosexual couple from reproducing and "perpetuating future generations" is laughably illogical. 3. "a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman helps to protect from STDs." This comment is so insulting. Ms. Kern seems to be suggesting that heterosexual couples are more capable of monogamy than homosexual couples. She offers no facts to back up this silly, insulting notion. 4. The whole section about men and women "fitting together" is so laughably idiotic that it really doesn't deserve comment. 5. The way that she refers to African-Americans as "blacks" is a clear indicator of her obvious bigotry. Surely she's not suggesting that if homosexuals had been enslaved at some point in American history that they'd be more deserving of the right to marry. Again, as an Oklahoma citizen, I'm just embarrassed to read her flawed logic on this topic. 6. All of her religious justifications for her homophobia and hateful rhetoric are just like every other religious justification ever made. She picks and chooses scripture that reinforces her hate, and ignores the rest. She completely ignores the fact that the Old Testament more strongly condemns a plethora of things that are quite common in today's society, than it does homosexuality. Ban Shellfish!!! Her reasoning for the lack of mention of homosexuality in the New Testament is also comical and embarrassing. It's really a shame that people don't place more importance on a person's ability to make reasonable, logical arguments to back their positions when they go to elect their representatives. If so, any high school debate student could un-seat Rep. Kern easily. 7. I'm not even inclined to dig up the propaganda that Rep. Kern uses to justify her opinion of Norway. Suffice to say, I'm calling B.S. 8. Using college admissions as a metaphor for same-sex marriage is also quite insulting to your readers' intelligence. If I heard someone make this argument in person, I would be embarrassed for them. It's simple-minded, emotional arguments like this that are swinging the pendulum of public opinion AWAY from reactionary bigotry. As insulted as I am to read these opinions, I commend the Gazette for publishing them. It's truly the best way to shine a light on the bankrupt logic of these hate-mongers.
6/24/2009 12:39 PM | Chris Harris

Oh my Goodness Sally I think you have a dirty mind

All this energy thinking about what goes where. Just what do you think about all day? Love exceeds the boundaries of the outlines of the bodies we are born with and just is. What a sad sad loss for you that you have not really understood love. Read all of what Jesus said. Stop picking just what suits you. Valerie Stahl Oklahoma City
6/24/2009 1:14 PM | vastahl2001

KKK

So if the Gazette does a story on blacks do they allow the KKK to come in with a counterpoint?
6/24/2009 1:17 PM | TrishTodd

Traditional marriage

Let's hear about Mary and Joseph's traditional marriage. How about Jesus'? Jesse Kern's?
6/24/2009 2:22 PM | TrishTodd

You've done it again Kernster!

Are you doing your routine at any clubs in the OKC area anytime soon? You're hilarious! Like a mix between Dane Cook and Paula Poundstone! Boy, this is the perfect example of a slippery slope argument. The last sentence in your article holds about the weight of a toothpick and says nothing more to the intellectual reader than simply, someone sat you down in front of a computer and THIS is all you could come up with. Your "facts" are based on an outdated text that political figures and thick-headed people alike insist on using time and time again to support their biased, irrational viewpoints on so many important issues today. Sally, why can't you see that while the Bible expresses morals and ideas that certainly most can benefit from living by, it also expresses ideas that certainly most of us wouldn't. There are issues at hand now that weren't of concern or had even been conceived the entire 1200 or so years the Bible covers. I like your way of arguing so I'm going to go ahead and try it. You follow the word of the Bible, so you participate in stonings and sacrificed murders. See? It's pretty easy to pick and choose the points of the Bible that I want to use to support my one sided arguments. You say that while Jesus never outwardly expressed contempt for homosexuality, he certainly MUST have been thinking it. You're a mindreader too, eh, Sally? Basing your arguments off an abstract ideal isn't just ignorant, it's sort of insane. And while I'm not saying that's the ONLY reason your points of argument are incredibly fallible, I'm also saying that they're filled with the idea that we should treat a human being, doing no harm to us, with any less respect than you might give your cousin, husband, children, or even your own friends (and, hey, some of them might even be gay...but I guess YOU of all people positively KNOW they aren't). Your arguments are so cute Sally, and while I can't bring myself to ask you to stop making them publicly, it'd be nice to see you resign from your position in office.
6/24/2009 3:06 PM | AaronCurry

Seriously?

This is absolutely absurd. I cannot believe we are represented by such a bumbling idiot - comments such as this make me feel ashamed to be from Oklahoma. Way to go, Sally, you moron! Terrific comments above, by the way - well said!
6/24/2009 3:17 PM | Shawn

Crimony.

I've accepted some time ago that in order to live and get by in Oklahoma, there's a certain amount of bat-shiat-crazy that one has to deal with. I'm okay with it. Representative Kern, though your arguments come from your Bible (which is bad enough) it's plain that your problem with same-sex marriage has little to do with your religion. The Bible also proscribes adultery, but we don't see you crusading against that. The Bible tells us we should honor our father and mother, but we've yet to receive a similar missive on obedience from you. The Bible even bans divorce, but you seem to be fine with the practice based on your silence. No, this is not about religion. This is about Sally Kern Does Not Like Gay People. At least admit that. I've not lived here long, but I hope I get to stay within the boundaries of your district long enough to vote against you.
6/24/2009 5:27 PM | requirescoffee

I think you speak from experience

If you think that a person can turn off his or her natural sexual urges, then I say you've had personal experience with it. If you can deny your homosexual tendencies, then why can't everyone else?
6/24/2009 5:35 PM | schmoopsy

SALLY IS A MORON

she tries to speak of the biblical definition of marriage and doesnt even know the biblical definition. In the bible a woman is a man's property, if she wants to stay true to the bible, she should realize that she is not to speak, or hold public office. If her husband wished to kill her he could with no consequences. If he wanted to molest their children he could and she could not do anything about it. She is ignorant and believes in the 20th century version of GOD. He is not a superhero sally, he is a vengeful spiteful being.
6/24/2009 5:47 PM | justinholt123

Not Surprised

Wow Sally Kern shows how much of a Biggot she is(AGAIN).Why can't you just shut up ,no one want's to hear your hate mongering.
6/24/2009 5:51 PM | Jessica05

Wow

Shouldn't someone who represents our state be articulate? Intelligent? Who do we blame for allowing someone like this to represent us? Ourselves. This is what we get for not getting involved and not paying attention to who is running for office.
6/24/2009 5:54 PM | Botbot

Her son

I am not sure if you all know, but Miss Kern has a gay son. Poor boy... I am sure much of her hatred and bigotry come from her own personal issues and as a "political figure" she must demand you believe her. Such ignorance gives the south such a bad name. Shame on you Sally Kerns. I, myself, may not be a practicing Christian, but my upbringing was. I know that the bible clearly states that judgement is ultimately reserved for God. Not some small-minded hate-filled woman. Keep your mouth shut.
6/24/2009 5:56 PM | CGM4284

Bovine Fecal Material

First - if there was a "gay" gene then ALL people like ms kern would stop trying to make abortion illegal. This would be done just to try and kill all homosexuals or anybody else that her kind don't like. Second - tell her to have the breeders to stop having children. Where do you think homosexuals come from. Third - when it comes to the marriage of opposite sex people. If they don't have children by the end of a set number of years. The marriage WILL be annulled and ALL tax breaks will be payed back to the IRS. And fourth - she seems to forget that it use to be not just one man and one woman. It use to be ONE man and a MULTITUDE of women. Lets see her dispute that.
6/24/2009 6:00 PM | huckster

Bovine Fecal Material

First - if there was a "gay" gene then ALL people like ms kern would stop trying to make abortion illegal. This would be done just to try and kill all homosexuals or anybody else that her kind don't like. Second - tell her to have the breeders to stop having children. Where do you think homosexuals come from. Third - when it comes to the marriage of opposite sex people. If they don't have children by the end of a set number of years. The marriage WILL be annulled and ALL tax breaks will be payed back to the IRS. And fourth - she seems to forget that it use to be not just one man and one woman. It use to be ONE man and a MULTITUDE of women. Lets see her dispute that.
6/24/2009 6:03 PM | huckster

Family Values My ass

So being homosexual will screw up traditional marriage, if they are given full equality when it comes to marriage. How do these people have the nerve when just in one week we have had Ensign (NV) and Sanford (SC) go off into the ether that is adultery. Oh yeah, those homosexuals are all about defiling the sanctity of marriage. It's got nothing to do with hypocrites being unable to keep their zippers up. Using the Lawd says so is no longer an excuse. Keep your Bible out of my government and I will give up thinking in your churches.
6/24/2009 6:23 PM | glescagal

Family Values My ass

So being homosexual will screw up traditional marriage, if they are given full equality when it comes to marriage. How do these people have the nerve when just in one week we have had Ensign (NV) and Sanford (SC) go off into the ether that is adultery. Oh yeah, those homosexuals are all about defiling the sanctity of marriage. It's got nothing to do with hypocrites being unable to keep their zippers up. Using the Lawd says so is no longer an excuse. Keep your Bible out of my government and I will give up thinking in your churches.
6/24/2009 6:24 PM | glescagal

Shameful

Ms. Kern, you are a PUBLIC SERVANT - NOT A PREACHER. If you are unable to understand the difference, perhaps you should step down from your post. Your continued attempts to bring your faith into government are disgusting. The Bible reads that God told Adam and Eve to go forth and multiply. But did God tell them to go forth and get a marriage license so that their civil rights and equal protection under the law be codified? Did God tell them to go forth and make sure that people different from them could not receive the same tax benefits? Did God tell them to hate others to protect the species? You say that same-sex marriage will "devalue marriage and weaken society." No, Ms. Kerns, hatred and discrimination devalues humanity and weakens society. Perhaps you should take a look at other western countries where same-sex marriage is legal - you may find it interesting to know that in many of these countries (the Netherlands, Belgium), the rate of divorce amongst heterosexual couples has actually decreased once homosexual couples were finally given the right to marry. In general, these countries have experienced a greater sense of respect for marriage. This "article" is even more hateful than your suggestion that Islam is a threat to our country. You are an embarrassment to your state, Ms. Kern - get your head out of your Bible and study science and sociology - the truths you find in these disciplines will set you free.
6/24/2009 6:41 PM | sdg4878

Sally is a LESBIAN!!!

Your article kept me laughing. I cannot believe how ignorant you are. OK, so answer this question, are you really that dumb, or are you just playing??? " a man cannot meet the needs of another man" - how do you know this? have you been with another woman, and not been fully satisfied??? Ohhhh, Sally I think you just need to go back and learn our constitution. I don't know if you guys have any copies available over in Oklahoma, but if you don't I would be more than happy to send you one. If you read it very clearly, it says that there should be a separation between church and state. BY writing these articles you are only helping to spread homophobia, you dumb, bitch!!!
6/24/2009 6:51 PM | aldo909

Ignorant and Unwilling to Learn

I cannot understand how in the world this ignorant woman was elected to a public office. But there is the United States political system hard at work! I would love to invite this woman to sit with my partner and I or any number of my friends and find out what kind of "terror" we are wreaking across this state. We are all employed and paying taxes and minding our own business. More than I can say for many of my straight counterparts. This woman needs a serious adjustment on her "holier-than-thou" attitude. And belive Mrs. Kern, my partner meets ALL the needs I have, probably more so than your bible thumping husband ever will... enjoy all his "naturally fitting parts" and enjoy my partners! Oh and we'll work on not getting any STD's while we are at because apparently we are incapable of monogomy seeing as we are gay. Please take the time to get to know a gay person before you EVER open your stupid, ignorant and intolerant mouth again!
6/24/2009 7:03 PM | Morgan14

So Ignorant She Is Amusing

This has got to be the most ignorant defense of traditional marriage I have ever read. Every one is entitled to their opinion but this was embarrassingly ignorant. It is beyond me how people could elect someone like this to represent them. Is her district composed of mentally retarded constituents or the headquarters for the KKK?
6/24/2009 7:18 PM | PhillipP

Sally Kern is a HORRIBLE MOTHER

I'm a friend of the Kern family from childhood. As well as being a horrible tempered woman, Sally Kern was an unloving, unemotional, and distant mother (much like Mommy Dearest). The fact that she continues to go around telling others what she thinks is hilarious because nobody would want to be Sally Kern if their life depended on it. Actually, they weren't even very good friends, which is why I have no trouble writing about them!
6/24/2009 7:31 PM | nd_kid

couple things

I'm not particularly passionate about this issue; so, I'll just address this column. This is a woman who represents a district in Oklahoma. She is in government. Not to sound like I'm a genius or anything, but, if you've taken ANY sort of writing, reading, or English class...I think you would find this article appalling -- both in content and structure. She uses fragment sentences like they're going out of style, jumps back and forth among topics, and fails to set up her arguments in any coherent fashion. Take this fact (and all its implications), coupled with her belief in what she is espousing (hate and discrimination in the name of religion -AKA, Al-Qaeda), and I can only come to the conclusion that she should most certainly NOT be re-elected to her seat.
6/24/2009 7:36 PM | mcs4466

did she say...

gays make up THREE PERCENT of the population?? This woman is insane. I mean, if she can convince herself that gays comprise only three percent of the population, then she is capable of convincing herself of any lie...which is already evident, I suppose. I hope this woman can find peace with whatever is tormenting her soul.
6/24/2009 7:43 PM | mcs4466

Really?

Who at okgazette.com allowed this to be published, idiots! You should be ashamed, allowing this crap on your site. Additionally, why is this lady still in office, get some sense Oklahoma City, vote the homophobe out of office.
6/24/2009 8:54 PM | chase

Think about it

Next time the Gaz wants to do an article on government maybe they should go to SuperMax and interview Terry Nichols for a counterpoint. Or invite the KKK to respond to MLK Day. Kern is an extremist with some too close ties to registered hate groups. Giving her a forum here is irresponsible and negligent. Shame on you OG! Straights no matter how gay friendly they pretend to be just don't get it.
6/24/2009 9:19 PM | TrishTodd

Counter-counterpoint

Christ never addressed our political role (i.e. how we should vote, what our motivation should be in doing so, etc.) as Christians, and he certainly did not suggest that we should codify the principles of The Bible in secular law or impose them on non-believers. On the contrary, Christ acknowledged that law, even the religious law provided by Moses, is separate from personal morality. “Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.’” (quoted Matthew 19: 8-9; see also Matthew 5:31-32, Mark 10:4-12) In this passage, Christ 1)condemns both divorce and remarriage as adultery and 2)separates the immorality of actions from the constraints of the law. Allowing Moses to issue certificates of divorce did not make divorce moral. It did not endow divorce with a divine imprimatur. In other words, there is room within Christianity, even in its most conservative incarnation, for supporting the legal right to gay marriage. With regard to Norway, correlation does not "prove" causation, and quality should not be equated with quantity. Perhaps traditional marriage has declined in Norway because it is now more socially acceptable for those in less committed relationships to forgo marriage. If that is the case, then it is possible that traditional marriage has, in fact, been strengthened. At any rate, you have not provided sufficient evidence in support of your argument.
6/24/2009 9:26 PM | krayler

Time to rethink your stance.

Read the first sentence. Then consider Governor Sanford at his press conference today. Now, time to rethink your stance.
6/24/2009 9:56 PM | EvanGB

LOL @ the comments.

I TRULY hope the author reads the comments, because some of them are priceless! I have not heard ONE SINGLE good argument against same-sex marriage. MAYBE if the divorce rate wasn't over 50%, or people didn't have drive through weddings in Vegas, or we didn't have TV shows like "Who want to marry a Millionaire?" your theory would stand. However, look at "traditional marriage." Ms. Kern, you are just positively hateful. If there is a Hell, God has a one-way ticket waiting for you - and you know it.
6/24/2009 10:01 PM | EvanGB

"The Norm"

This is not "the norm"????? Please tell that nonsense to every infertile couple who's had to adopt or resort to other alternative methods of expanding their families. Look widowed, divorced or abandoned moms or dads in the eye and see what happens when you spit this ridiculous rhetoric. You know what real justice is? The fact that someday you'll get smacked right back with that Bible you're using to beat down everyone else.
6/24/2009 10:19 PM | meerelda

Nonesense

The day one of you un-Christian hypocrites supports a total ban on divorce will be the day you can pretend to be talking about supporting "traditional marriage." Or how about stoning adulterers? Oh, no, ....that won't work because most of the Repulican leadership and hate-radio venom-spewers would be where they belong: under a pile of rocks. People like you make Jesus weep; you should be ashamed of yourself.
6/24/2009 11:17 PM | cameraman

You are not a Christian

I was raised a Christian and still believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible...Jesus taught love, you spew hate. Our country was started by people who ran from persecution. Our founding fathers were smart enough to know that the seperation of Church and State was essential to having a truly free country. No one is asking for your church to marry gay couples. Gays just want the same rights as everyone else when it comes to the State part, the legal part. Not the religious part. Anyone who votes for this woman deserves her. I cannot beleive you have not tried to impeach her yet for her hate-mongor state of mind. She is what is wrong with the Republican party. She also gives a bad name to Christians and I find her very offending. Hate is never the answer. One Love...Ilona Rose
6/25/2009 12:03 AM | ilonarose

What a hateful and pathetic woman...

Sure child molesters and murderers can marry and have children... ...but the REAL threat to society is letting two men that love each other have equal rights under the law.
6/25/2009 12:16 AM | caitlin

Wow

What an absolutely discusting and despicable thing you are. You are an embarrassment. WOW.
6/25/2009 1:14 AM | jeffisok

Wow!

Even though I live in a conservative state like Arizona, thank god I do not live in a state that has a person like this representing me. What a delusional, hateful, pathetic excuse for a human being.Even though this opinion is hateful, it is also funny. to say men and women were made to fit together is a joke. Sally, come see me and I will show you how two man can fit perfectly together. Oh, guess what, gays have been around about as long as heterosexual people. And oh, by the way, if not genetic, explain why there are families who have multiple children who are gay? I know quite a few. In mine, there are three of us. In my boyfriends family two siblings and a nephew. In a friends family, out of 10 children, they have gay and lesbian children. No one showed me how to be gay. I was raised by a straight mother and father. No gay relatives. I was not raped. And, if you say there is no proof that being gay is genetic, the same could be said that there is no proof that being gay is not genetic. My god loves me and made me who I am today. I believe that and nothing you say will change that. You speak of heteros not passing around diseases, well, if more of your ilk like Senator Ensign and Governor Sandford keep doing what they do, your argument wont hold water. Even if gays are not allowed to ever get married, people like you will be the ones destroying the santity of marriage because you all are doing a bang up job of it as well. And most of the ones who are making a mockery of marriage are the religious nut bags like you. I will pray for you. And guess what, god does listen tio someone like me.
6/25/2009 1:50 AM | Rican31

Hate filled bitch

This woman needs to NOT be in politics.
6/25/2009 7:24 AM | Jeff64

You are pathetic

No "gay gene" has been found... yet. Do you realize how many pieces of code are in DNA? Did you know they haven't decoded everything yet? Did you know that there are thousands of other species that practice homosexuality, practice homosexual pairing in monogamous species? There will always be heterosexuals, so populating the earth isn't an issue. In fact, if we keep populating the earth as we do now, it will be destroyed. As for out of wedlock babies being born, that rate went up when women realized they don't need a man, or heterosexual couples don't feel like getting married. Homosexuals are about 10% of te population, not 3%, and maybe even more as they have been scared to comeout because of hate filled, ignorant people like you! Your bible has no place in governing. Seperation of church and state is a must! If you are oging to argue that same sex marriage should not be legal, you should use stricly scientific research, not a fairy tale book, written by corrupt ment to silence women, and scare the masses into out of free thought and more importantly, peace!
6/25/2009 7:39 AM | StephAce

Please spare us your wisdom.

Were you not the same women, who carried a firearm into the State Capitol a while back claiming you forgot you had it in your purse! Looks like you have forgotten a lot more than the fact you were packing heat into a federal building, my building, the people’s building that is paid for by me and my fellow Americans. Dear Sally, you are an extremely misguided woman who is an obvious embarrassment to your state and the American public. You have continued a tirade on the subject of gay marriage that has no validity. Every time I read something that you have said, it just gets more silly and a bit on the kooky side. You throw around your bible quotes that you seem to think are valid….it seem like you googled bible quotes on marriage and went with the few that seemed to be relevant. Have you every really read the bible? I am the daughter of a Deacon of the Catholic Church, and pretty much call the church my second home. I still attend a weekly bible study. Are you aware that there are cases of polygamy in the bible? Here’s just a few passages you should look up Mrs. Kerns: Genesis 4:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives. Genesis 16:1-4 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai ... gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had.... Genesis 26:34 Esau ... took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. Genesis 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set ... his wives upon camels. Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife.... So, the bible did condone polygamy, but we don’t here in our country. Many nations actually do. So just because the bible says…doesn’t mean it is right. I am not even sure you know what the word Marriage means-it is defined as Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual, emotional and/or legal union of individuals that creates kinship. It is a contract. It is about monogamy. Why, just because a couple is gay, would that mean that they would commit adultery, or in your own words, monogamy prevents STDS, right? In your half-witted OPIONION monogamy between a man a women prevents this…. So why would a couple who wanted to be married, gay, or transsexual have more STDs or commit adultery? You make no sense, is there proof that gay couples have more STD’s? My question, is what sort of bizarre propaganda are you reading? Something like 78% of all women who have aids contracted it through heterosexual contact. To me, the craziest thing about your crusade is your argument that 3% of the population is gay. This makes the argument even more absurd! If only this small amount of people in our enormous country of over 306 million people, want to celebrate their monogamous love, so be it! What are you scared of! And if it is figures and totals you want to hear... did you know every day, 276 people in America, 57 of them children and teens are shot in murders, assaults, suicides, accidents, and police intervention. So that's about 66% of all murders committed in the US are by guns-73% of those victims are women - 82% of all homicides are followed by suicide...I am sure those number should speak for themselves. Oklahoma has some of the worst gun laws in the Union... You use Norway as proof for one example of same sex marriage devaluing society. Norway is one of the most progressive countries….and it is small…a little over 4 million people. That does compare to our massive population. They also don’t allow guns either. As well as the U.K. Belgium Canada, South Africa, Spain…or the 26 or so other countries that recognize civil unions and same sex marriages…Have you ever been outside the US? Doesn’t sound like it. I am pretty sure you would stand out like a sore thumb and wouldn’t last a week if left to your own devices in one of the artistic, beautiful cities like Prague, Paris, Copenhagen or Helsinki. I have lived in several different countries, attended university and traveled the world. You represent what most of the UK, Scandinavia, Europe, South America etc., hate about America…. A gun toting southern redneck with no style, grace, and prejudice values. I have seen first hand Americans like you trying to travel in Europe. You are the ones that the locals giggle at, and the ones that targeted to get pick-pocketed. Your arguments are weak and silly, and remember that knowledge is power. So, what do you think would happen if gay marriage or equal partnerships become legal here in the US? Are you afraid "they" will take over and change our national anthem to something by Cher, or that Liza might be the next mug on our dollar bill! Or worse yet...they might give you fashion advice! So if that 3% were allowed to live, love and have what our country stands for...I guess you would have no purpose then.,. Your mission of being such a "great" Christian, and throwing your misconstrued bible quotes would all be pointless. Because of your hate, fear, and complete stupidity, you received death threats that made you forget that you were carrying a gun into a State Building. Like I stated in the beginning of my comment, it looks like you have over- looked more than just that. You have forgotten what is important. People. Perhaps if you were a real Christian, you might focus your time on the real issues plaguing America, like gun crime, violence, hunger, child-abuse, homelessness, and what about the economy? You might throw your efforts and authority on the issues that matter now. People are dying everyday from guns, hunger, homelessness, child and domestic abuse, lack of health-care, violence. What about the economy? I’d like to hear something other from you than this silly issue. Far more people are affected from the above issues than gay marriage. I don’t think you can blame any of those issues on the gay community as well. To be a true Christian is love thy one another, and to help one another. In a time when our country needs to stand united, you my dear are tearing us apart, and holding us back. I am an American, a women, a daughter, a wife, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a Christian, and in my opinion, I am sure Jesus will forgive you for all your hate. I ask that you please burst the bubble you are living in, and please spare us anymore of your silly crusade. Use this life to help others, not devalue others. We all have a right to love, including you Mrs. Sally Kerns. Thank you
6/25/2009 8:40 AM | deahna

Why all the finger pointing, Sally?

The latest examples, Senator Ensign and Governor Sanford, of Republican Moral Superiority and Sanctimonious "Better than Thou!" finger pointing suggests the ol' saying still is relevent, "When you have one finger pointing out, you have four pointing back at yourself!" I've heard Sally is hysterically trying to compensate for her gay son, Jesse. With her projection, it is obvious there is some unnatural neurosis that makes her focus so much on other's personal lives. When Governor Sanford went missing, I wrote a little joke of a prayer about Republicans I thought I would share: "God, please don’t let this 'Governor Sanford missing' scandal involve any Republican behavior that includes prostitutes and dirty diapers, paying your mistresses kids for the privilege of screwing their mom, foot tapping in public men's rooms, bestiality, gay meth whores, sex with children, snuff films or any other sick twisted deviant hypocritical Republican “Promise Keeper” Talibangelical KKKristian behavior! Please, God! America has had just about enough freakishly weird sick behavior from Republicans to last several generations. Make it stop! Please! -Amen!"
6/25/2009 9:14 AM | cowboyneok

Your religion is not everyone's religion

Senator Kern, Just because you happen to be a christian who believes in a certain value system does not believe that all christians believe the same thing, nor does it account for the MANY, MANY people who are your constituents who are not christian. When you begin to understand that you represent EVERYONE in Oklahoma and not just people who follow your own views then I will begin to take what you say seriously, but until you can at least acknowledge that you are representing only one group of people and are not the slight bit interested in the welfare of everyone, your rants are frivolous and irrelevant. I, personally, will devote my resources and time to ensure that you lose your "right" to represent everyone in the senate so that someone with more a level-headed value system is put into place. The above comments are *NOT* about gay marriage, they are simply about your arrogance and intolerance to differing belief systems. History will no doubt list you along side many other bigoted hypocrites who use any particular religion as a weapon to subjugate and demean people.
6/25/2009 10:18 AM | JimB

Goodbye Oklahoma.

For years I have been preached to that my lifestyle is wrong and that I will go hell for being gay. You know what? I would much rather go to hell for love than to go to heaven for hate. I knew the day that Sally Kern got re-elected I would leave the state of Oklahoma. For the people of Oklahoma to vote for a woman who claims my love for another person is worse than hatred towards our entire country is unacceptable. I’m not only sad for homosexuals who have to live with intolerance but I'm also sad for the children that continue to be taught intolerance and hate. I’m not going to turn this into a religious fight because to me it’s a humanity fight. I cannot see how anyone could take love and compare it to cancer or terrorist that kill innocent people. I’m not hurting anyone by loving someone else but I am hurt by the people of my state, including my family, that are unable to accept me for who I am. So, Oklahoma I will pack up my life and move out of this state that continues to support hate over love. This is not directed at every Oklahoman, I know there are some really fantastic and supportive people in this state. I will truly miss all of my friends who have the strength to stay here and continue to spread love in this state. One day Oklahoma you may grow up to be an understanding state but for now you still have a lot of growing to do and I can’t wait around for you to accept me anymore.
6/25/2009 11:10 AM | mandyland

And once again....

Sally Kern has managed to make herself look foolish. i love the bit about a monogomous relationship between a man and a woman preventing STD's.... wouldnt that be the case for ANY monogomous relationship? i agree with the previous posters this is just her airing out her own religious beliefs. Honestly though who elects these people, or how do they keep gething through?
6/25/2009 11:59 AM | ladymeko

perhaps work on your understanding of metaphor.

Yes, it's exactly like letting everyone into a prestigious college. Because every time a gay couple gets married, a more-deserving straight couple loses their ability to do so? Why are you even still talking, Ms. Kern? Your stir-the-shit mentality is pathetic; your desire for press, no matter how great the opposition, is an embarrassment to our state. Don't believe in gay marriage? Fine. I don't believe in your right to free speech. If I don't get to shut you up, then you don't get to stop their marriages.
6/25/2009 1:02 PM | beckyc

A DYING BREED

PEOPLE LIKE "OLD LADY KERN" ARE GOING THE WAY OF THE BUFFALO, AND NOT A SECOND TO SOON. IT'S SEXUALLY FRUSTRATED BIBLE THUMPERS LIKE HER THAT CANNOT SEPARATE CHURCH DOCTRINE FROM REAL LIFE , AND THAT MAKE LIFE SO TOUGH FOR THE REST OF US. NO WONDER ALL THE PROGRESSIVE, EDUCATED, AND SOCIALLY TOGETHER KIDS SEEM TO BLAZE A TRAIL OUT OF OKLAHOMA THE SECOND THEY GRADUATE.... THEY CANNOT BARE TO LIVE UNDER THE NAZI- SNAKE-HANDLING BELIEFS OF SUCH MORONS AS KERN.
6/25/2009 1:25 PM | straight but smart

So many excuses...

If other people's journey for happiness makes you less happy and makes you see marriage in a lesser light, I think you've got bigger personal problems to figure out. There have been scientific experiments that suggest that homosexuality is reflected in certain physiological traits of brain tissue-- therefore, you cannot reduce homosexuality as a 'behavior'-- that implies that their attraction to the same-sex is something they choose. Also, homosexuals HAVE been openly persecuted by the government-- have you ever heard of the Stonewall Riots??? Perhaps you aren't aware of the past wrongs done to the homosexual community-- brute police forces, refusal to serve homosexuals,etc. And who are you to say that one man cannot fulfill the needs of another? Why does it have to be reduced to gender roles? Shotgun weddings often marry people who definately don't fulfill each other's needs, but you don't see a government trying to prevent their desires to be together. Second of all, your comparison of the institution of marriage as a COMPETITIVE COLLEGE is astoundingly condescending. This parallel implies that marriage has become a type of commodity to compete for-- if it is sacred at all, why should there be such petty restraints and rules surrounding the chance for marital bliss? In that metaphor, you have labelled homosexuals as "not good enough"-- is that not discrimination? If anything has made marriage less sacred, it's prostitution or Las Vegas. The "normal" majority needs to be less stingy with their "privileges" and start caring about things that matter.
6/25/2009 1:48 PM | yaycake

Kern's name as the mother on a birth certificate?

http://tinyurl.com/kjdfob
6/25/2009 4:17 PM | jamesnimmo

Lots of hate from

Kern and comment-makers. We need love in the world, folks. Ideally, we need to ignore Kern's comments. Kern's opinion is just that, an opinion. By ignoring Kern, we don't publicize and encourage Kern. Kern is the type of person (and her opinion) that does not need to be publicized/encouraged. Shame on the Okla Gazette for printing Kern's hate. Although, that's what OG was doing: allowing freedom of the press and one's right to comment. Thanks, OG for allowing me to comment.
6/26/2009 2:54 PM | KDBP1213

Oklahoma Gazette, I thank you

To the Editorial staff of the Oklahoma Gazette: I wanted to personally thank you for publishing Sally Kern's Counterpoint in what I am sure is in a completely unedited form. By ensuring that Sally Kern's Counterpoint is in it's original form you have done more for Gay Rights then starting the discussion in the first place, (which I am pleased that you did.) Rep. Kern's unedited comments show her for what she really is, a very sad, very scared, ignorant woman. Thank you again for not editing her comments, you've done a great service in the quest for rights for all people. Stephanie Shawnee OK
6/27/2009 12:39 AM | YesIAm

Um Steph/YesIAm

I know you mean well. But your thinking is naive. That's what everyone wishfully desires would happen, but it doesn't. Kern was just as crazy last year and she still got reelected didn't she? Anyone that is offended by her message already gets it. The Gazette is negligent in spreading her hate message. Come MLK Day I'd better see a counterpoint by a grand wizard or it will prove the Gaz doesn't get it either. Now what I want to know is why the Pride Board gave the Gazette 5 grand in sponsorship bartering for a few measely articles and the Gazette the opportunity to sell ads to gays. The community didn't get this stuff for free. So how much did Kern chip in for the Gazette to include her behavior here? I doubt very much we gays paid for her to spread her message on our dime.
6/27/2009 1:48 AM | TrishTodd

WWMIBADDSHD?

Continue to fight the good fight, Sally! In every aspect of your life, before you act, you must ask yourself-- What Would Mostly Illiterate Bronze Age Desert Dwelling Sheep Herders Do? In the case of traditional marriage, we should return to the solid principles of the bible-- wives are to be purchased from their fathers (or other suitable male owners) as soon as they hit puberty (or before) for a negotiated amount of goods or services. If she is proven to be not be a virgin, you are entitled to a full refund of purchase price after she is stoned to death. You can have as many wives and sex slaves (aka concubines) as you can afford to purchase. Or, if you are a brave warrior who slaughtered enough of your enemies, you may be allowed to keep some of their daughters alive to marry or use as concubines (or you can sell them to someone else and have money to buy the local adolescent girl of your choice). Yes, let us return to traditional biblical marriage! If I start saving now, I wonder if I could afford a Fanning?...
6/27/2009 9:07 AM | Reality Check

Sally Kern is a fundamentalist bigot

Sally offers as fact the myth that God created one man and one woman and told them to multiply. This raises several interesting questions. Did Adam and Eve's children mate with each other to produce the third generation of humans? Or did Adam service his daughters to produce the third generation of humans? Does this mean that Sally is promoting incest? Sally is unable to think through the most basic questions of biology because of her scientific illiteracy.
6/28/2009 9:24 AM | PaulBurnett

Her second sentence pronounces "STUPIDITY AHEAD"

"Only traditional marriage produces children....." Really???? Are you truly as stupid as you appear? I need out of this state. Steve
6/28/2009 2:06 PM | kc5tty

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