I would like to take a moment to congratulate Iowa’s same-sex couples on an amazing feat.

“Same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in Iowa by month’s end, after a ruling on Friday by the Iowa Supreme Court that found unconstitutional a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman,” reported The New York Times last week

 I won’t pretend to know everything about the issue, just as I will not act like I could possibly understand the importance of this ruling to some gay couples. However, I do congratulate you.

This is one topic on which just about everyone has an opinion. Sure, there are topics out there that are felt by some more than others, but I cannot remember meeting anyone who did not have something to say about same-sex marriage rights. I thought it was time to add my view to give you something to think about.

America prides itself on independence. Our ancestors fought to break away from England, fought for equal rights and have defended ourselves to let others know we plan to stay this way. We live in the land of the free and will defend our freedoms to the death. When did we forget that part of freedom is religious freedom?

The major reason why same-sex couples are not able to marry is because marriage is supposed to be one man and one woman, according to Christianity.

Well, we tolerate many religions in the Unites States and I’ve yet to find a reason why marriage should be the one decision to be made with forced religion. Religion doesn’t belong in government. The lessons of goodness, maybe, but not its actual practice.

Gay couples serve a purpose in our society, whether you like it or not. They cannot physically reproduce, and this means they could adopt if they want children.

If two people love each other enough to go through hardships with their families, friends and others who may oppose them, then they obviously have an unconditional bond.

Personally, I believe that is the greatest lesson you could teach a child. There are so many children that grow up in the foster system that could have been adopted out by loving parents.

The whole argument about the lack of a father or mother figure messing up the child is, in all respects, crap. Many children grow up in single-parent homes.

I’d rather have two parents of the same sex love me than have only one parent or, worse, no parents at all. Sure they’d be teased — what kid isn’t?

These parents would be able to teach their children how to deal with this and how to be happy with themselves exactly as they are. Besides, it takes a village to raise a child. Parents are not the only influences that help to raise a child to be who they will be. Teachers, neighbors and other adults help in this process.

I’ve mentioned this next point before, though off-handedly. I truly do believe that God, or whoever you believe is holy, created gay people. As a society, we’ve gotten over racism, sexism and many other injustices.

God is most likely sitting up there on a big cloud laughing at how primitive we are that we still do not understand that we’re all created equally. What will it take for everyone to understand that?

So I conclude with the hope that you all are doing what you like to do, dating whom you please, and above all, that you learn how to love. Let freedom, and marriage bells, ring.

 — Sarah Tisinger is a sophomore in journalism and communication from Bettendorf.