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Are People in Spain Less Bigoted Than Americans, or Just More Into Equality?

By Fannie

On July 1, 2005 gays and lesbians were allowed to marry in Spain. 65% of Spaniards, of whom 82% consider themselves to be Roman Catholic, supported this legalization.

Unsurprisingly, Catholic bishops came out in opposition to full equality saying,

"If it is the state itself that establishes a law which ignores the essence of marriage, then the damage it causes to the true family, to children and society as a whole will be incalculable."

While the Church desperately clings to antiquated notions of "family" and seeks to preserve an unequal, sexist, and homophobic society, the people of Spain feel differently. 75% of them believe that the Catholic Church "is out of touch with social reality."

That seems harsh.

I mean, how could a Church whose boys-only clubs wear fabulous dresses and funny hats yet who simultaneously cover up rampant sex abuse while opposing equal rights for gay people and the ordination of women possibly be seen as "out of touch" with modern society?

And, how could a Church that claims without a scintilla of credible, reputable evidence that full marriage equality will cause "incalculable" harm be considered "out of touch"?

Oh, right. Let's examine that interesting and telling word choice: "Incalculable." See, when people talk of "incalculable" harm, they are talking about harm that is unable to be calculated. Because, of course, the harm does not exist.

It's been almost three years now since gays and lesbians have been able to marry in Spain, and we're hard-pressed to find evidence of the Great Harm that the bishops predicted.

Harm that exists only in the minds of bigoted men, after all, cannot be calculated by scientific methods.

Bravo to the people of Spain for recognizing and overcoming church-sanctioned intolerance.

Full post as published by Fannie's Room on February 29, 2008 (boomark / email).