The Federal Marriage Amendment debate has begun. Senators and House representatives are able to vote for a constitutional amendment to make the definition of marriage in the United States as one man and one woman. We need to urge our representatives to vote for the federal marriage amendment.

People seem to feel that marriage will not be redefined because the majority of people are not for it. We all need to be aware that judges in courts are deciding for us. We need to voice our opinions on this important subject. We need to say it is important that marriage is one man and one woman. If we remain silent, political objectives will win out. People have the right to their opinion on marriage, but bashing marriage has become commonplace.

People’s marriages fail, and they blame marriage for it. Marriage does not fail a marriage – people fail a marriage. People lie, cheat and hurt their spouses. Marriage is not only a belief that one man and one woman will live together until death do them part, but also a belief that a father and mother united are the best we can offer our children.

I know gay people, good people who want the same for their relationships but it’s not and cannot biologically be the same. They have the right to make their decisions as do I. I have the right to disagree without being called discriminatory.

I teach my children that same does not mean equal, equal is not always fair.

Cheryl Peterson, Turner