There’s much talk about Barack Obama and John McCain appearing together for the first time this past weekend. The two presidential candidates were questioned by evangelical pastor Rick Warren at his Saddleback Church in California. A boring spectacle; the event manifests what I like the least about America and American politics—the influence of religion-based ethics. And as always, the rights of gay people are dependant on the superstitious’ interpretation of ancient myths. Both candidates said they opposed marriage equality, but Obama stressed that he is in favour of civil unions that would allow gay couples the right to visit hospitalized spouses.

Andrew Sullivan comments on McCain’s answer to a question about marriage:

He cites his own state's position on marriage—but his own state voted down an anti-marriage equality amendment. And again, he simply says that gay couples can make “legal arrangements,” and argues that gay couples should not be denied any of the rights of other citizens. But those “legal arrangements” can be overturned or removed by other family members without civil marriage rights. And he isn't asked about civil unions, the obvious follow-up. I get the feeling Warren simply wanted to get both on record against marriage equality. Again: no mention of the people whose relationships are the target of these amendments.

And on Obama’s answer to the same:

Obama makes the critical distinction between civil and religious institutions. But he and Warren duck the issue. The question is equality in the civil sphere. Warren opposes that equality; Obama favors it. And Obama sees that civil equality as compatible with Christianity. It is, of course. But what was depressing is the refusal of both men to speak of gay people as such, explicitly and clearly.

The whole thing makes me sick.