Singer Rob Thomas - If atheists can marry, why can't gays?

June 1, 1:41 AMAtheism ExaminerTrina Hoaks

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Rob Thomas, singer of Matchbox Twenty as well as solo artist, had an article on the Huffington Post Web site a few days ago in which he voiced his opinion about gay marriage being forbidden. He made an interesting point... one I hadn't thought of prior to reading his piece.

He said:

I believe the fact that an atheist, who doesn't believe in God at all, is allowed to enter into the holy land of marriage while a gay Christian is not, shows that this law is arbitrary.

Interesting point, Rob. Atheists get married all the time. They are afforded the same "liberties" that religious people are who enter into, what is essentially, a joining that has roots in religion. So, why shouldn't homosexuals be afforded the same?

Of course, there are many atheists who hold on to the rituals of religion long after they have let go of the religion and belief in a deity. Their ceremonies are most often void of God. The wedding ceremony for atheists is often about publicly professing love and the marriage is about the protections that come with being legally wed. Of course, there are many reasons people choose to marry. The list is long.

But, it does seem odd that religious folk so vehemently protest gay marriage yet they don't really say much about atheists marrying. At the very least, as Rob said, many members of the gay and lesbian community are believers in a supernatural ruler. You won't find that among atheists. Considering this, it does seem that believers would be more inclined to be supportive of the marriage of believers rather than of non-believers.

After all, isn't it the Bible that provides the basis for the objection of certain Christians to gay marriages? You'd think that the Bible would persuade Christians to speak out against atheists getting married. Perhaps it is better in their eyes to be a non-believing fool than it is to be a believing abomination.

To see all that Rob had to say about gay marriage, read his article, The Big Gay Chip on my Shoulder.