In today’s society, more than ever, there is a wide acceptance of many forms of coupledom including, but not limited to, common-law marriages, interracial couples and same-sex relationships. That being said, there are those that may accept such lifestyles but do not believe that the people involved should be granted the right to lawful marriage. Most would argue that marriage, by God, is meant to be between a man and a woman. Some go even further in insisting that it is meant to be between a white man and a white woman. That in itself begs the question: Have we not progressed far enough past segregation to accept interracial relationships? As I read an article posted in Wednesday’s paper entitled “White male, white female: Keep it the way God intended,” I was appalled that anyone raised in today’s society could so strongly oppose interracial relationships. Time and time again, in the article, the author referred to “God’s intent” and how “it is time to take a stand for Him.” However, one who uses their Christianity as evidence to support their claim is ignoring key principles.

The Bible has never had the same universal message. It is easy to see how someone could twist words or find verses to support their ideas and opinions, as the author did. The Bible’s scriptures teach us that man was created in God’s image. Born from him was Adam and from his rib Eve. Therefore, if we are all offspring of Adam and Eve, we are all related. In the aforementioned article, interracial marriages are said to be as obscene as incest and polygamy. However, accepting any form of marriage is to accept incest as we are all related.

The Bible does not explicitly state that interracial marriages are sinful. There is no biblical mandate against interracial marriages. Romans 2:11 states, “For God shows no partiality.” James 2:9 says, “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” In actuality, opposing interracial marriages would be a sin. According to the Bible, our different races come from a result of the Tower of Babel in which God scattered people on different continents. In no such form is it stated that it was God’s intent that such an act would keep people from love and marriages.

The article “White male, white female” also discusses the repercussions of interracial marriages, saying that it causes a burden for children born to two parents of a different race. Being the daughter of a German/French/Danish American mother — or more commonly referred to as “white” — and a Native American/African American father — commonly “black” — I have never felt burdened by my racially diverse background. It has only empowered me to accept everyone and to be blind to color. For one to discriminate, segregate or distinguish between any race is, in fact, racist. Just because you can claim, “But I have a black friend,” does not mean you aren’t racist.

To insist that races remain within their own races is segregation. It would be denying everyone’s rights to tell them who they can and cannot marry. To say that anyone supporting interracial marriage is a “God-denying liberal” is condemning a large demographic to having no religious affiliation.

If one wants to refer to the Constitution, then stick to the script. The Constitution ensures equality and freedom of religion, and nowhere does it denounce marriage between different races. I agree with the author that the founding fathers would in fact be irate to see a lot of changes that have happened in America since their time on earth. At one point, most of the founding fathers had slaves.

Would you suggest we still have slavery as that is how our country was founded? Ideals have changed and America has evolved to accept every creed, color, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and any other aspect that differentiates ones person from the next. A wise philosopher once said, “You can’t tell the color of a man by his footprints in the sand.” Perhaps it’s time we made a stand for us and fought for our rights to love without seeing color and to truly love thy neighbor as thyself.

Lauren Nelson is a sophomore in Pre-Journalism and Mass Communication.