As we all know, same-sex marriage threatens not just our way of life, but our very civilization. At the very least, same-sex marriage threatens the future of all marriage between decent people.

We know this because we know that marriage is a timeless institution, and it has always been a union between a man and a woman. As marriage is the very foundation of society, tinkering with something so fundamental is surely foolhardy.

This is the sort of language we hear in debates on whether we should legalize same-sex marriage.

But let’s just pause for a moment so that some facts can creep into this discussion.

The truth is that same-sex marriage has a long and distinguished history. Judaic scripture, for instance, indicates that same-sex marriages were recognized in ancient Egypt. Of course, it’s no secret that the ancient Greeks and Romans recognized homosexual marriage, not to mention imperial China and some Native American tribes and a host of other peoples living around the world.

But here’s a curveball for you.

There’s even evidence that the Catholic Church recognized same-sex marriage in the early Middle Ages. Scholars dispute whether these unions should actually be called marriages, but there is no doubt that the Church conducted formal ceremonies to recognize the bond between same-sex partners. The Church endorsed sexual union between members of the same sex!

Times change, huh?

So, all of the facts in this debate are wrong. There’s no evidence that recognizing same sex marriage will destroy our country. In fact, thousands of years of Egyptian, Roman, and Chinese civilization point to the opposite. For all we know, recognizing same-sex marriage may be the secret to civilizational long life.

Some more facts: There is no evidence that homosexuals are more prone to crime or child abuse. In fact, children who grow up in lesbian families are less likely to develop mental disorders than Wally, the Beaver, or any of the rest of us who grew up in “traditional” families.

So there’s no evidence to support the claim that same-sex marriage will destroy hetero marriage, let alone society.

But, let’s humor the other side for a moment and consider the possibility. Is heterosexual marriage really so frail that it can only survive by excluding all others from marrying? Is this justice? If hetero marriage can only survive by oppressing others, is it even worth preserving?

Of course, the point is ridiculous, because the argument is ridiculous. You wouldn’t break up with your boyfriend or your girlfriend if same-sex marriage was legalized. It’s absurd.

What’s this argument really about then? It’s clearly not about the facts.

We should recognize the fact that there are many heterosexuals who do not like the idea of homosexuality. They don’t want to know about it, they don’t want to hear about it, and they definitely don’t want to see it.

But the important point to remember is that this is about the law. The dread of homosexuality has nothing to do with the law, because homosexuality will exist no matter what laws we pass.

For centuries, sodomy was illegal, and it still is in some areas. But sodomy went on regardless. If you hate homosexuality, you better realize that sodomy is going on right now, as you read this, within the distance of a short walk.

If you live in the dorms, you better face the fact that acts of homosexual union are occurring all around you on a daily basis. So grow up and deal with it.

No, what lurks in the heart of this argument is the same ugly disease that lurks in the heart of America. The problem is that there are some people in this country who think they have the right to tell the rest of us what to do. There are some people who think they’ve got the right to protect America for “real” Americans like themselves. You know, they’re white, Christian, suburban, etc.

They are always the noisiest patriots, vomiting up “forefathers” here and “under Gods” there, but they have the least amount of faith in America. Tyrants always wave the flag.

This country is a democracy, and that means that the people, all of the people, determine what the word “America” will mean. And homosexuals are every bit as American as you are. There’s no reason supported by the Constitution that heteros should be allowed to marry but homosexuals should not. Face it.

So here’s my challenge. Prove that you love America. If you have real faith in democracy, if you really believe in America, then no matter how much you might hate homosexuality you have no choice but to stand up for homosexual rights.

And if the sky falls, send me the check.

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Brian Johnson is a junior in English and philosophy from Amarillo, Texas.