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Kathleen Parker is a syndicated columnist whose op-ed pieces are published nationwide. Neither a dyed-in-the-wool conservative, nor a die-hard liberal; she addresses controversial issues in a unique manner that often fails to please either side. An article she wrote several years ago, “Parent A and parent B – and baby makes C?”, is worthy of revisiting – as this and related issues have only intensified with the passage of time.

“In Massachusetts, then-Gov. Mitt Romney engaged in a long-running battle with same-sex couples over birth certificates for “newborns”. “The problem being that birth certificates are written with archaic notions of procreation that involve a mother and father. Thus, gay and lesbian parents asked the state to replace "mother" and "father" with Parent A and Parent B”; implicitly negating the fact that,… “all children not only have a right to a mother and a father but, in biological fact, do have a mother and a father.” Romney, and others, believing that records should reflect that reality to the extent possible.

Nevertheless, in an attempt at even-handed compromise, and recognizing that married same-sex couples do “acquire” children these days, Romney instructed hospitals to cross out the word "Mother" or "Father" and write in "Second Parent" as necessary to accommodate individual cases.”

Ms. Parker then goes on to assert that,

“The fuss over birth certificate terminology might seem insignificant in the scheme of things, but words matter. The larger effects of this little two-word change are enormous over the long haul, despite protestations to the contrary...

Children are born of man and woman. Or so it has always been. Now with technology, sperm donors and "uterobots" – women willing to sell or give away the flesh of their flesh – any random collection of human beings can "parent."

Or so the theory goes…

Throughout our culture, children have become objectified, "thingified," created or acquired for the fulfillment of our selves – decor options, accessories, cute little bundles for our entertainment and amusement.

Unless, of course, we're not in the mood, in which case we hit the "abort" button, the ultimate expression of "thingification."

As long as children are viewed as mere extensions of our selves, put here to satisfy some narcissistic need for self-actualization, it is easy to suppose that our needs and their needs are complementary. If same-sex marriage is what "I" need, then two same-sex parents are what "my" child needs.

What we know but the courts apparently choose to ignore is that identity and selfhood are rooted, in part, in our biological origins. Adopted children seek out biological parents in their quest for identity. Genealogical organizations do a brisk business as families try to reconstruct their lineage. "Who am I?" keeps psychotherapists in new Volvos.

Obviously, narcissism isn't limited to the gay community,… What's really behind the push for biology-neutral birth certificates isn't fairness, or equal rights, but the elimination of any biological/procreative connection to parenthood.

Same-sex couples need this, therefore it is good for the children as well as civilization. Once the idea of a biological mother and father is expunged from the culture, there is one less logical impediment to normalizing same-sex marriage, which is, of course, the point.”

While not often quoting someone else’s material to this extent, there wasn’t really much for me to add. However, this is just one issue among many facing our society today that will be debated over the next several years, if not decades. You need to be actively involved, contributing to the resolution of these issues that will impact your lives in ways you may not fully understand or appreciate at the moment. Disinterested acquiescence fosters virtually the same results as approval and active support; Paul cautioning us about condemning ourselves by what we “approve” either by active participation or passive indifference. ( Romans 14:22)

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The Second Sin