Why tradition is a stupid argument for anything

We are a nation founded upon change. Upon a break from tradition. Tradition is what allowed kings to rule with absolute control over their people, often with a cleric in the background, justifying it as the will of a god. Tradition is what later denied the right and ability of women to vote. Tradition is what justified slavery. Tradition is what justified keeping interracial couples from marrying. Frankly, tradition is a stupid argument. If something is good, it doesn't need tradition.

If a policy or institutions or moral rules are bad, than tradition doesn't change it from being bad. So whenever religious fundamentalists oppose the ability of gays to marry because of tradition, I have to roll my eyes. We are a nation founded upon rebellion of tradition. Yes, England was freer than France in 1776 and the monarch wasn't absolute but the reason he was not, was progressive change from the time of the Magna Carta in the early 13th Century until the 18th century. Constant revolt from tradition.

Also, why do those on the religious rightwing believe they have an absolute right to push their anti-gay agenda through a legislative prayer, such as the example of a Pastor Bill Ledbetter before a session of the Oklahoma legislature. One of the things he said was, "And let me tell you something, it’s no coincidence that Katrina came on board the day before [the gay Southern Decadence festival] began in New Orleans, Louisiana. I promise you God is sovereign."

No, he isn't. The people are sovereign and if a god and if a god was punishing us for accepting gay rights, he would be sending hurricanes to places like San Francisco and tornadoes to Boston, not at the heart of the Bible Belt.