On April 18, Eric Groden felt compelled to take exception to Anna Quindlen`s conclusions regarding ”samesex” couples and marriage privileges. I am reacting in same to his letter ” `Proven` couples.”
Groden asserts that the true definition of marriage is for the express purpose of bringing children into the world. He further states that due to the ”tremendous personal and financial price” parents must pay in order to bear children, only they have earned the tax breaks and other benefits bestowed upon them.
I find this view extremely cold, narrow and selfish. It not only implies childless couples have no business being married but, more important, characterizes parenthood as a hardship, which in and of itself deserves to be rewarded by financial breaks due to the ”sacrifices” incurred.
If Mr. Groden truly believes God intended only childbearing couples to be married, maybe he should think about why God gives married couples children:
as an unselfish investment of love, patience and joy for those who choose it, not as ”sacrifices and contributions to society” to be declared on tax forms.
