To the editor:

It seems that if conservatives just claim not to hate some particular segment of society then it becomes perfectly acceptable to discriminate against them. That sort of moral relativism is more insidious than the hate mongering preached by their more venomous — yet equally misguided — fellow conservatives. They hope to disguise their dissatisfaction with equality under the law behind the facade of “protecting marriage.” They want to use the government, replacing church authority, to define sin.

There have always been politically weaker people for conservatives to trump up as the ultimate downfall of our society in an attempt to justify discrimination against these groups. In the past, Jewish people, various European immigrant groups, people of color, even supporters of women’s suffrage have all been assailed as harbingers of Americas’ demise. Now we can add gays and lesbians to the list.

Instead of restricting marriage we ought to be promoting marriage. Marriage creates families and ensures children have access to their parents, even if they split up. Property and beneficiary rights give incentives to remain in a stable relationship. Families are good, all kinds of families. Families are the glue that holds our society together; we should be encouraging every couple that wants, regardless of gender, to enter into a legally recognized union.

Kansans have the choice to support the values of fairness and equality in our society. We can prevent increased governmental intrusion into religious sacraments and stand up against intolerance and moral relativism.

Mark Stone,

Lawrence