Those who argue for state recognition of same-sex marriage are not arguing for “rights,” but arguing to receive the special recognition that married couples already receive.

That is the problem when citizens are divided into subgroups that receive special tax and legal status.

Marriage is a contract. If you are religious, it is sanctioned and recognized by the church. If not, it is just a contract between two people.

People should be able to enter into contracts regardless of gender, and a church should not be required to sanction or recognize a contract that is not in keeping with its beliefs.

Remove “married” as a special status in government affairs and the whole issue becomes moot.

Those who believe it is a moral issue have every right to voice their opinion in the public square in an attempt to sway the opinions and actions of those who will listen, but to ask government to be the enforcer of morality onto others is just as bad as others asking that their religion be forced to sanction actions that go against the teachings of their church.

Every citizen should have the same rights and responsibilities, regardless of the contracts they enter into with other citizens, and the government’s permission should not be required to enter into that contract.

Maybe we should get government out of the marriage business altogether — treating all citizens equally, respecting their rights as individual Americans without any special status.

Nathan Schultz, Mechanic Falls

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