Different Ruling, Same Outcome

It's the issue that will never die.

Same-sex marriage. Three words that have spawned a great divide between people across the state and around the world. And, sadly, it will never be bridged.

Yes, the divide has gotten smaller in recent years (52% to 48% in the last election) but it will always remain.

The California Supreme Court (which has done more flip-flopping on this issue than a presidential candidate) has ruled this time, that the voter-approved ban to be constitutional. The same court which ordered the state in May 2008 to recognize gay marriage.

Only difference this time, the 18,000 or so same-sex marriage licenses that were issued during the lull in the debate will remain valid.

But no matter what any court rules, no matter which way the electorate swings, no matter where the debate is broached, there will always be a void.

This goes way beyond any legal wrangling and lands smack dab in the middle of religion. That's where the right wants it and where the left wants to keep it away from.

Ultimately, this is where I believe the final battle will take place.

Gay marriage support groups are already planning to put the issue back before the voters sometime next year.

Let's say for the sake of argument the proposition passes and the right decides they've had enough. Gay marriage is now legal in California.

Is that it? Will we finally be at peace as a state?

I don't think so.

I, like many people, am tired of the debate, the screaming, the finger-pointing and the homophobic accusations.

And I don't think legalization will end it.

I believe same-sex marriage supporters will then go after any church's tax exempt status that denies a gay couple the right to marry and that might be their downfall.

Say what you want about a person's religious beliefs, but you attack their maker, and it's a whole other ballgame.

That's when people on the fence of this issue, might finally decide to get back in the game.