The Price of Beauty

This morning I was speaking to a rather attractive woman I know who has a problem-men 'fall in love' with her all the time. Now, I am not one of them. I am in fact quite happily married myself. However, it did get me thinking.

I have known quite a few women who I think would be happier if they were not quite so attractive. Attractiveness makes meeting a prospective partner easier, but it seems harder to know if your partner likes you for you or as a status symbol.

I guess I'm lucky to be utterly average.

Arkansas politician shot

Sad news for the Democrats in my state. This reminds me of the Jim David Adkisson case from a couple of weeks ago. One can only hope that this is not politically motivated-our country really doesn't need that right now.

On Gay Marriage

I believe that I have mentioned being an atheist deep in the Bible Belt. Because of this, I am considered liberal on social issues. So one of my more Christian than usual friends asked me for my opinion on gay marriage.

I'm all for it. Here is why.

Marriage is both a religious union and a legal union. Those who want it outlawed are often coming from a religious perspective that says that marriage is a sacred union-which if you believe in such things it probably is. However, it also serves a legal function. Therefore, it is not 'owned' by the religious groups. If it were, then granting legal rights based on marriage would be an legal endorsement of a religious rite. That's it. Simple, right?

Of course, I also thing that it is immoral to deny anyone the same rights anyone else has, but sadly the law often has little to do with morality.