Originally posted by DESIGN:
Originally posted by Mysti-ken:


The practise of religious belief dictating human and civil rights is what drove the pilgrims to the boats. And although the current debate isn't directly analogous, the lessons learned are still valuable and should be headed.




"Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia; doe, by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fiftie-fourth, Anno. Domini, 1620."

As quoted form the Mayflower Compact you see that the real reason that they wanted to establish a colony is in that first line. Although it may not be directly relevant it should be noted. There is no freedom of marriage listed in any law. You can not establish marriage but only recongnize it for what it is.




The boats I was referring to were the boats to Holland. The people who would later travel to Cape Cod in fact first went to Holland where they found the religious freedom they sought.

The only reason they later went to America was because they didn't like the Dutch lifestyle, or the fact that their kids were learning to speak Dutch - but primarily it was a business decision.

Their trip was financed by a group of English investors called the Merchant Adventurers and in return they worked for their investors for 7 years.

What you quote is the 17th century equivalent of the "policially correct" rationale crafted for public and government consumption.

The pilgrims had all the religious freedom they wanted in Holland - travelling to America was essentially a business decision.

And you could be right about no law concerning right to marry - but isn't that the absolute nature of advancing civil rights? Society decides that something's right (based on the current situation, not necessarily on what was written 300 years ago) ... it's put into the constitution if required, and then you write the laws to ensure the rightis upheld?