Reader’s view: Marriage should be between man and woman only

Marriage not only unites a man and a woman together for life, it has the potential of creating new life. Who is better to nurture and teach a child than biological mothers and fathers?

Same-sex unions cannot ignore this simple fact: No children can be naturally created through such a union. In every case where a child is present, he or she is missing at least one parent. I don’t think this should be promoted by government.

It isn’t an issue of discrimination. Instead, it is a matter of encouraging the ideal environment for children. We don’t encourage divorce or single parenthood, either. We don’t wish these situations on young children. Why? Because we know they are missing something.

We are always saddened to hear of a mother being left to raise her children alone due to the death of her husband. Why? Because we know the children will have a void where their father was, even if they weren’t old enough to know him.

Every father and every mother is important. A child deserves the best chance of getting to be raised by both biological parents. If our state redefines marriage to include same-sex unions, we will be encouraging the removal of parents from their children.

I will be voting “yes” on the upcoming marriage amendment to protect the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

Elizabeth Thiede

Duluth

Tags: readers views, opinion, editorials, family, politics, minnesota