"Go, and I wish you well"

Greetings, pilgrims of the digital dialogue. The Postmaster brings to you more insights into the depths of the human soul. Some of these depths are great and abyss-like, while others more closely resemble, say, one of those children's pools that comes in the shape of some aquatic animal.

It is not unusual that those writing to The Postmaster appeal to the authority of the Bible, most usually passages from the books of Genesis, Leviticus and Romans, when voicing objections to the civil marriage of persons of the same sex. Of late, however, there have been a number of authors who seem to have drawn their main inspiration from an altogether different book. Let us peruse:

"The current thrust to force this "Same Sex Marriage" bill upon Canadians is totally offensive. One cannot tolerate the thought of opearting a business in the environment that will follow if this bill were to become law. Our business will not remain in Canada if this happens."

"WHAT ABOUT "BARBIE &KKEN"DOLLS. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT PLAYING DOLLS WHEN I WAS LITTLE. NOT BARBIE MARRYING BARBIE & KEN MARRYING KEN. IF THEY CHANGE ALL THAT - I'M GLAD TO BE MOVING OUT OF CANADA!!!!!!!"

"The social and economic decline that this Bill will introduce (as evidenced in Scandanavia), combined with the imminent trampling of rights, make Canada's future scary.

If this Bill is passed, we will seriously consider leaving the country taking with us our buisness, our money, and our families."


The Postmaster must admit that as far as arguments against same-sex marriage go, this one is impressively coherent. One could boil it down to a simple "Do what I want you to do, or I will leave."

Unfortunately for the above authors, while this particular tactic is coherent, it is not especially compelling.

Let us embark upon the following thought experiment: imagine that you live in a relatively nice suburban neighborhood. You decide, and it is approved by the neighborhood committee, to repaint your house a vibrant shade of yellow. However, one neighbor takes issue with this. As you prepare to buy the paint, she is there at the store telling you it is wrong. As you go to rent a ladder and scaffolding, she is slipping notes under your door telling you to stop. As you select the perfect colour, she is writing letters to the local newsletter railing against your choice. And then, when all is in order for you to begin, she approaches you with her final ultimatum: if you paint your house yellow, she will be forced to move to a completely different neighborhood.

What effect would such a statement have on your decision? The Postmaster, and likely others, would certainly continue with the original plan, the only change being the added motivation to complete the task as soon as possible. Thus can we see that a coherent argument is not the same as a sound argument.

However, if the authors and others of the same view are not to be swayed from their decided course of action, then allow me suggest they peruse the list of the best countries in which to live, although the authors may wish to be sitting down when they do so, as they will doubtless be extremely surprised to see that, in fact, the moral and economic decline of Scandinavian countries was perhaps less of a fact and more of a convenient fabrication by their own much-taxed imaginations. Regardless, The Postmaster wishes them all the best in their future homelands and urges them not to forget to write.