QUOTE OF THE DAY…. New Hampshire approved a marriage equality law two years ago, bringing the Granite State in line with most of New England. Not surprisingly, the dreadful consequences imagined by the right never materialized.
But very conservative Republicans made massive gains in the 2010 elections, and appear desperate to drag New Hampshire to the far right. High on the to-do list: using government to limit the right of couples to get legally married.
A state House committee met for a lengthy hearing yesterday, but one quote, from a conservative named Howard Kaufman, stood out for me.
“A future redefinition of marriage that permits polygamy would facilitate the introduction of an aspect of Sharia or Islamic law that permits a man to have up to four wives.”
Hmm. If two consenting adults want to get married in New Hampshire, the result may lead to “Sharia or Islamic law” that seeks to punish and discriminate against homosexuality.
I’ve heard some bad arguments against marriage equality, but this might be the dumbest.
But it’s nevertheless increasingly common. Rep. Lenette M. Peterson (R) of Merrimack, N.H., told a constituent this week why she wants to repeal existing state law on marriage equality: “[T]he Bible clearly states what the definition of marriage is and anything different is an abomination to God.”
This was a member of the legislature, responding to a constituent, using the state email system.
The fears on the right of sharia are nothing if not ironic.
