First a little history of Valentine's Day. Catholic and Protestant churches have nearly identical accounts of the story of Valentine. Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Now here is the thing to ponder. Today, men and women are still being denied the rights of marriage. No debate has been so heated in our nation's modern times as the debate of gays right to marriage. When (not if, but when) marriage equality does happen, will their ever be a holiday to celebrate this milestone? And how about the hypocrisy of those who deny these rights in the name of the Church? Yet this is the same church that sainted someone who defied the orders of the ruling government and church to perform illegal marriages. So instead of sending cards and chocolates to someone, how about sending a Valentine Card to your government officials to tell them its time to stop the hate and discrimination, and instead, spread the love. There is no better day to do this. Love to all.
Burly Bear Chris
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