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Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Wording is Essential

I know, I know, I don't do two posts a day, but this is important.

You will hear this over and over today (and beyond): "North Carolina voters approve same-sex marriage ban". Please note that it is a lie. The vote was to define marriage as it has always been defined. The phrase, "same-sex marriage", is a modification to the definition. There is no ban. There is definition. Nor is this a new definition. There is affirmation of the existing definition. It does not ban "same-sex marriage" since the definition of "marriage" requires "different genders". It does not ban "same-sex marriage" any more than a similar measure would ban squares from being circles. Don't buy the lie. On the other hand, recognize that the use of this lie tells you the premise and prejudice of those using it. Be aware of that fact. Remember, he who frames the debate wins the debate.

6 comments:

David said...

It is interesting that legislatively, over half of America has voted to keep the definition of marriage as man and woman, yet if you were to listen to the media, you'd think half of America was homosexual.

Stan said...

If you watch TV, 80% of television shows have gay characters. Apparently it's a lot more than 50%, isn't it?

Danny Wright said...

I get the feeling from observing the media that before Christians came along the world was a Utopian paradise. "Banned" suggest that up until recently it was not banned, and... it was Utopia until it was banned.

Stan said...

True, Dan. Indeed, "banned" does indeed suggest at the very least that it originally existed and was subsequently outlawed. The fact that it has never existed seems to be missed entirely. Good observation.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Also remember that he who controls the language controls the debate.

Stan said...

True. To the best of my knowledge, there is no place on the planet that has outlawed "gay marriage". There are no such laws on any books of which I'm aware. Of course, you'll never hear that from those making the arguments because controlling the language is essential to this question.