I believe that by allowing same-sex marriage we will be losing our freedom of speech and at the same time our religion.

I would like to show you what things have happened in a short time when same-sex couples get their way, according to lifesitenews.com:

A photographer in New Mexico in 2008 refused to photograph a lesbian ceremony because it went against her Christian beliefs and was sued by the lesbians.

An affiliate of the United Methodist Church in New Jersey was sued by lesbians for denying them use of their pavilion for their ceremony.

A Christian pastor was sued for writing a letter to the editor on homosexuality.

The Christian Heritage Party of Canada and its leader Ron Gray are being investigated by the Canadian Human Rights Commission after a homosexual activist complained of material published on the party's Web site he claims is offensive to homosexuals. Homosexual activists are demanding that the pro-family Web sites that post information critical of homosexual behavior be shut down.

There are many more stories like these. The history of allowing same-sex unions is a loss of freedom of speech and religious rights. There is a whole lot more at stake than just some homosexuals marrying.

Michael Ritter

Waterville