Within certain religions there are “rules” that believers are supposed to follow. One of the more notable “rules” or beliefs that has been called into question today is the question of “Is gay marriage acceptable?” One of the religions most commonly associated with the answer “No” is the Catholic Church. Although there are several other religions who believe this, the Catholic Church has, in particular, made several cases in which it has broadcasted their beliefs. The religion has made yet another brusque exposure of their thoughts in Sandusky, Ohio after the teacher Brian Panetta from Sandusky Central Catholic School was forced to resign due to his engagement to his male partner. The school claimed his engagement violated a moral clause within a contract the school requires teachers to sign. The code states how teachers must agree to live by Catholic teachings, and his engagement was considered to be promoting gay rights, therefore, he went against the school’s policy.

 Although when signing a policy, it should be followed, especially since you understand the qualifications; however, when you have a teacher who has promoted the music program as significantly as Panetta has, raising the number of kids in band from 18 to 50 and the choir from 12 to 50, does it really matter what his sexuality is? Having a teacher fired based upon their sexuality is, unfortunately, not a rare occurrence. Several other teachers have been forced to resign for being gay and a Catholic, an unknown combination to most.

 Although it seems as though I am strictly calling out Catholics, this is not the case. Several religions, Christian or not, have passionate feelings about homosexuals, most in a negative way. I, myself, am a Christian, yet I don’t believe that picking and choosing certain parts of the Bible to abide by is the correct way to live life. Most would argue that the Bible states how it is a sin, quoting parts from Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians. However, I’d just like to remind Christians that it also states in the Bible how you should not condemn others for then you condemn yourself (look it up in John). It was also mentioned how sins are not measured as more sinful than others (look it up in James or Psalms), that they are all the same, so why has this issue been targeted so harshly? You know, it’s also claimed to be a sin to speak negatively of others (again, in James), so if we are quoting the Holy Book, how much better are you than them?

 What blows my mind the most about this “issue”, is the fact that it has stripped people of their humanity. Religion was created to establish a sense of hope for people, it was not created as a weapon. People are people: no matter who they like, what they wear, how they speak, or what they do. They are not animals, there is no disease, they are simply confident in who they are, why is that something to be ashamed of?

 Society has been trying to preach about how important it is to stop bullying in school, what about putting a stop to bullying in real life? Yes, there is bullying in school, and some of it sprouts from students being gay. But while everyone focuses on the bullied, does anyone think that the bullies are acting this way because of how they were raised? Adults bully too. If we want to send a message of acceptance and to not judge others, how can we tell kids to do this when adults are not accepting and are judgmental too? If we keep spreading these conflicting ideas to kids, they won’t understand what is right versus what is “right” in the eyes of society.

 What it all boils down to in the end is, who gave you the right to determine how someone lives their life? We are individuals that make up an entire population of people. Individuals, ergo, each person can dictate how they live their own lives. Isn’t that what we keep preaching? Being gay does not interfere with anyone else’s life. Yes, you may have to explain to your kid why two guys are holding hands, but the end of that explanation is that they’re in love. If you watch ANY Disney movie, they end with how love is the most important thing. Kids understand that, that’s what they were taught! What they should not be taught is that they should try and control other people’s lives.

 Gay rights has been a controversial topic for years, and sadly, it will probably remain one for centuries more. But what is so mind boggling is why does who a person like determine their status? Panetta is a talented and well liked music teacher, who significantly enhanced the music program at that school. There is literally no correlation between being a good teacher and being gay. Although in this case, by law, the Catholic school is in the right due to Panetta signing a contract. The school can fire him for his actions since there was a contract signed before he decided to follow through with his engagement; however, the situation itself is not “right”. Even with the circumstances, Panetta handled the situation with poise and understanding; still it is a social injustice that in the year 2014 a man cannot be accepted for his engagement to his five-year-long boyfriend, no matter what higher being they praise. Panetta even admitted that he is a proud gay and a proud Catholic, the two should not be mutually exclusive. Even Pope Francis has commented positively on gay rights saying, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

 It is the year 2014, so much progress has been made in several aspects of humanistic rights, yet still, it is not enough. A person is a person not matter what. It’s time we brought the humanity back into society and stopped trying to manipulate people and control them.