Marriage, Family, and Custody

Families are the most fundamental social unit. It should not be up to politicians to structure a family.

“Having federal officials, whether judges, bureaucrats, or congressmen, impose a new definition of marriage on the people is an act of social engineering profoundly hostile to liberty. ” – Ron Paul

“The very fact that the FMA [Federal Marriage Amendment] was introduced said that conservatives believed it was okay to amend the Constitution to take power from the states and give it to Washington. That is hardly a basic principle of conservatism as we used to know it. It is entirely likely the left will boomerang that assertion into a future proposed amendment that would weaken gun rights or mandate income redistribution.”  Ron Paul (October 1, 2004).

Politicians should not preside over a sacrament.

Marriage is a religious sacrament for people of faith. Politicians should not get between people, and the God of their understanding, by licensing this sacrament or by defining it. It is ironic that politicians actually seek the support of people in religious institutions, when promoting legislation that usurps the role of clergy in society. Libertarians believe in leaving spiritual matters up to spiritual institutions:

I believe in full:

That the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to define marriage. I personally support equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals regardless of their sexual orientations or perceived gender identity or presentation. I would call for the imediate repeal of federal and state Defense of Marriage Acts. I would do away with the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, thus allowing our gay and lesbian service men and women to serve their country openly and proudly. I oppose the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment and all state constitutional amendments seeking to define marriage as a bond between one man and one woman. I would do away with all special benefits and privileges granted to individuals on the basis of their marital status. I would like all state governments and localities to get out of the business of granting marriage licenses and allow people to enter into contractual relationships to order their lives as they see fit, but so long as the government continues to grant marriage licenses to heterosexual couples, I believe gay couples are entitled to the “equal protection” of the laws and should be allowed to obtain government issued marriage licenses as well. I do not believe the government should require religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies that go against their church doctrine. I oppose all laws that discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered Americans and feel they deserve full equality under the law.

Parents Should Have Equal Custody Rights

Custody rights should be adjudicated by the states. The Federal government should not be involved in breaking up families for being too traditional or non-traditional. The number of adults participating in a family unit should be up to the adults entering into that arrangement.

Tags: Constitution, custody, Defense of Marriage Act, Don't Ask Don't Tell, family, Federal Marriage Amendment, GLBT rights, marriage, religious freedom