There has been much reported about the views of clerics urging lawmakers to reject marriage equality. My wife and I fit the definition of traditional marriage as provided by these clerics, and we concur with the view that we must maintain tradition on the issue of the same-sex marriage bill — with one key difference. The tradition that must be maintained that pre-dates the institution of marriage and represents the strength and foundation of Hawaiian culture is aloha, or love.
We were both raised in the church, each have a parent who is an ordained minister, and were taught Aloha ke Akua, God is Love. We are humbled to share our views.
The position taken by the clerics is troublesome because it has the effect of denying same-sex couples God’s love. We respect the right to hold one’s own beliefs. However, when these religious beliefs discriminate, we cannot remain silent. History is fraught with examples of discrimination and in its extreme form, can be devastating. To know history is to refuse to repeat such harmful episodes.
We are puzzled why these same clerics and their followers feel compelled to affect the political arena by urging lawmakers to reject same-sex marriage.
Shouldn’t the appropriate approach be to pray for God’s guidance and express their views in sermons to their members about how to process these issues? Aren’t clerics supposed to promote such Christian values as love and hope, and not hurt and disdain? The point is that we must respect each other’s beliefs and agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
Since the arena in which the clerics express these views is a political one as they attempt to influence legislation, the analysis must turn to the law and the legislative process. The Constitution maintains a separation between church and state and, as such, no laws can be passed that promote one religion over another.
Lawmakers therefore may consider the views of those who disagree with same-sex marriage but they certainly may not legislate on the basis of religious belief for fear of running afoul of the Constitution. This raises the issue of a blanket exemption from the application of the same-sex marriage law by religious organizations should the legislation be passed. This, too, would amount to an unconstitutional promotion of a religious belief where the activity is not religious in nature as the effect would be discrimination against an otherwise powerless class of citizens. This should not be allowed under any circumstances.
Gay people have the same right to love, as we do, and they should and must have the same right to marry, as we do. We are all entitled, by virtue of being human beings, to the passion and pain of marriage.
Finally, how we navigate through these complex issues will reflect the level of humanity that we achieve as a community. Let us not take a giant step backward by failing to recognize the importance of diversity in our community, and recognize that God’s love is present when love is present. Aloha ke Akua, God is love.
Edward Halealoha Ayau is an advocate and expert on Hawaiian burial practices; Kainani Kahaunaele is a multi Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner and Hawaiian language instructor at the University of Hawaii-Hilo. They have three children and reside in Hilo.
