America is considered the land of the free, which means that every legal citizen enjoys freedom of speech and the right to privacy. Among these rights we have freedom of religion. If someone is Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or even Buddhist, they are welcome to practice their own religion as they see fit, and you are welcome in America because this is the land of the free. Where is it? When the topic of gay marriage comes up in conversation, the main "anti-gay" argument would be that the Bible disagrees with the topic. [Jones, Michael] Last time I checked, and according to the First Amendment, the Bible has no standing power in American law. [“Why would we do it? »] Therefore, the people of the United States should vote “yes” to legalize same-sex marriage. People are being harmed, people are being discriminated against, and by opposing same-sex marriage you are essentially condoning harm to other humans. physically, emotionally and mentally. This form of prejudice differs little from that of fifty years ago against African-Americans. Do the American people really believe that if gay marriage is allowed, it will change or end the heterosexual lifestyle? Fred Phelps Sr. of Topeka, Kansas certainly thinks so, feeling so strongly about the subject that he and his large family hold veterans' funerals. Phelps Sr. was quoted as saying, "Our attitude toward what is happening with the war is [that] the Lord is punishing this evil nation for abandoning every moral imperative worth a dime." » [Oxley, Chuck] Imagine being part of a family of “God-punished” veterans? This prejudice affects everyone, not just homosexuals. What if someone in a family was gay? What would be the effects on this family? Is the...... middle of paper ......07. Internet. March 4, 2011. “Homosexual behavior in animals.” Wikipedia, 2008. Wikipedia. Internet. March 3, 2011. Jones, Michael. “Would Jesus discriminate against gays? Religion and LGBT rights (September 10, 2009): Change. Internet. March 4, 2011. “Marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships: a comparison.” EQ ME (2009): EqualityMaine. Internet. March 4, 2011. Oxley, Charles. “His church was bombed and now he is protesting the funerals of the war dead.” SeattlePost-Intelligencer (06/14/2005): Web. March 4, 2011 “Roadmap to victory”. United States (September 10, 2009): Freedom to marry. Internet. March 4, 2011. “Why would we?” » Would Jesus discriminate? Metropolitan Community Churches, 2008. Web. March 4. 2011.Zavala, Tricia A. Personal interview. March 7. 2011