Should same sex marriages be recognized by the states/federal government? Why or why not?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
About Me
- dsm
- Biostatistician, Biology and Philosophy Faculty, Lacrosse Addict
Posts
7 comments:
I think that all states/federal government should recognize same sex marriages. One reason is because there is way to many people who could fall through the cracks and not own up to their previous responsibilities to their families. Why should it be easier for opposite sex partners to make mistakes or commitments and be held accountable if it doesn't work out. What makes same sex marriages any different ? In my own personal opinion I think marriage is only a thing that Man made up to show to everyone that this mine and no one should touch my property. What a cave man way of thinking. It also helps to make the couple feel secure that there is no more searching anywhere else. It's all to easy to get married and way to much trouble to separate. I would rather not go through the hassle legally. Yeah get promise rings to show others your off the market, but why should anyone need a piece of paper, or a party to show everyone they are off the market. I think that if people wanna mess with there finances and get married more power to them, but straight or gay it's all not worth it. I am not here to judge that's Gods job and I don't even think he minds as long as you Love him unconditionally. I am just here to live. It's hard enough trying to understand myself more or less tell others what they can't do.
Personally, I don’t believe that much in marriage, much less in same sex marriages. I agree there are quite a number of legal benefits that being married offers, and I don’t doubt how much two people can love each other as to wanting to spend their days together. I feel that love’s manifestation doesn’t require a fancy ceremony or a signed piece of paper, but that’s only my opinion. Traditionally, this is how society has taught us it should be done, even if most of today’s marriages don’t even last 2 or 3 years (months, in extreme cases). Perhaps it is a woman’s long desired illusion to arrive at the altar dressed in white, even if statistically that marriage is probably destined to fail. I think that marriage has almost the same meaning for homosexuals. I would say that they want to be recognized (socially) as someone’s partner, although the traditions of holy matrimony clearly specify an opposite sex wedding ritual. I think that the federal government has to be careful with what it finds approvable because it would have to apply the same criteria to other circumstances. I’m not saying this to attack a person’s sexual preferences, but if the whole country accepts same sex marriage today, perhaps tomorrow some people would want to marry their own cousins, or adults in their 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s would want to marry underage teenagers; a failed effort to legally approve this could be seen as discrimination towards those people. Homosexuality seems to be more accepted in many societies nowadays and gay people want the same rights and liberties as heterosexual people. If today they are fighting for the approval of their marriage and are succeeding, I know that they will also fight to adopt children using the same arguments. About this, I know that the federal govt. will not give in too easily (from a psychological perspective) and homosexuals will feel yet again discriminated. As I said, the government has to think carefully about what it finds approvable and predict what the outcome of this legalization (in this case, homosexual marriages) would be. Unfortunately, it is absolutely impossible to please every person in the world. Before I conclude, I want to say that I don’t have anything against gay people; in fact, I know some and they are very respectable and integral individuals.
Position Paper #13
Same Sex Marriage
I definitely feel that the federal and state governments should recognize same sex marriages the same way that they do every other marriage in the United States. I can’t believe that in a society that has overcome the civil injustices of racial oppression that this is still even an issue, especially from the African American community. I would have thought that the minority groups in this country would be supportive of equal rights for ALL people. Whether its discriminating against skin color, gender, or sexual orientation….it is still discrimination. As we talked about in class, if the main issue is based on religious arguments perhaps the religious institutions should stay out of it and truly separate church and state. A marriage performed outside of a church by a non holy person like a judge or sea captain is just as legally binding as one performed by a minister or priest. The people in committed same sex relationships should be granted the same privileges that everyone else is entitled to just for being married. I have heard many ridiculous reasons for trying to keep same sex marriages from happening legally, and most of them have to do with us losing money. If the issue is really a religious one for most people than let the issue be between the gay and lesbian population and God, we have no business interfering in their relationships and lives. A lot of the people that have the greatest problem with it are ignorant to the fact that science is getting closer and closer to proving that sexual orientation is not a choice like most people think it is, studies are leaning more toward the fact that sexual orientation is something you are born with as a person, not a choice. You cannot correct homosexuality and it is not a sickness that can be cured…the sooner people begin to realize this the sooner we can grant the homosexual community their rights, let them get married, and move on to oppressing some other poor minority group…because that’s what people seem to love to do in this country!!
Position Paper #13 Social Justice
In a pagan, secular worldview, who is to say what marriage is and by whom it is defined? In order that the question of whether or not the state and federal government should recognize same sex marriage, the question must first be preceded by defining what marriage is. The traditional Judeo-Christian definition of marriage as outlined in the Bible, is no longer the judicial criteria for marriage in several states. The Biblical foundation that birthed our American government is no longer considered the moral compass for many Americans and is being changed to encompass many secular pagan worldviews.
I believe that marriage is not a secular institution; rather it is a secular acknowledgement of a religious covenant made between a man and a woman before God and witnesses. Why then would a secular government need to recognize marriages at all? Because, as was discussed in class, there are many benefits that marriage provides. Therefore the concept of marriage is becoming redefined to mean the recognition of a civil contract that affords benefits to those that enter into it.
If this new concept of marriage is defined and controlled by a secular government, it ought not to deny the civil rights of any groups or individuals wanting to enter into what the government assigns as this civil contract. Because state governments are redefining who may enter into this civil licensing for marriage it will eventually be necessary for the federal government to mandate laws recognizing state legislation based on whatever any new definitions of marriage are.
However, if marriage is in fact a sacred institution defined by God in His Word and practiced as a religious function, then it wouldn’t be considered a civil right and would be protected under the constitutional right of freedom of religion. Therefore it could remain as it has been since the beginning of our nation, defined as a covenant between one man and one woman before God and other witnesses.
As individual liberties increase, people become more demanding that their rights be not only recognized, but also accepted into the mainstream of society. As a democratic government, what the leaders have to discern is; what is in the best interest of the American society? Since they have left the moral compass that established this nation, it is now the state and federal government’s responsibility to determine if homosexual unions are in the best interest of society as a whole and also for future generations. If this is their determination, then the state and federal governments are obligated under the principles of democracy to recognize these civil unions. The moral consequences will continue to be debated.
Within the context of the definition of marriage being that of a religious covenant between a man and a woman, I believe that the governments would not be obligated to recognize homosexual marriages and that religious institutions could continue to define marriage as ordained in the Bible.
I one-hundred percent believe that same-sex marriage should be recognized in the United States. Americans can easily tell each other what is right and wrong, and rarely reflect on their own wrong doings. Regardless of a person’s sexual orientation, they are still entitled to the same rights as any other American. For all the freedom’s that America praises itself on, there has been a long history of fighting to receive them.
Time does show us that our ideas, ethics, and values do change. What we find today as acceptable, was definitely not the opinion of previous generations. We certainly wouldn’t allow a twelve year old girl marry a thirty year old man, because her she is capable of getting pregnant. However, these trends did occur in our country, and since the argument is that marriage is a man and a woman joined in a legal union, my example would fit the definition. It is obvious to me that the majority of our society would have a problem with a child that young marrying anyone, or even being considered a woman just because she has a monthly cycle. Laws and norms had to be created in order for our society to think the way we do now. Furthermore, I feel it won’t be long until the up and coming generations look back at this period and wonder what were we thinking? Thankfully, there are already trends of this generation who see no problem with homosexuality.
It saddens me that good people are not allowed to live the life they know is right for them, because it goes against someone else’s religious beliefs. If we could learn to be judgment free of other people’s lives if they aren’t harming anyone, our country might be able to tackle bigger issues that this world is facing. For instance, it could help the amount of foster children waiting to be adopted decrease. We could use the scientists who are trying to figure out why people are gay to try and find out more useful information, like the cure for cancer. People can think what they want about same-sex marriage or homosexuality in general, but if your disapproval comes from your belief in God, then leave it between that person and God.
In my opinion I do not believe in marriage. I do think it is nice when two people love each other. Personally, I dont mind about same sex relationships. As long as they dont mess with society. Although many people think same sex marriages/relationships are not ethical, I dont really mind.
Except, I wouldnt want states/federal government to recognize same sex marriages. I wouldnt want my children to see that and think it is correct that being with the same sex is correct.
I believe that same sex marriage should be recognized by the states/ federal government. There are millions of men and women that get married and half of those marriages will not survive. Some same sex couples have been together for years, but they can’t get married because the state prohibits it. If people want to be happy let them do what they want, as long as they don’t harm others. If same sex marriages are allowed it won’t hurt anyone, so why are people making it a big deal? Many individuals say that it shouldn’t be right because the bible prohibits it. The bible also says that women should wear long skirts and other things, but the only thing that they see is that same sex isn’t right. Let’s say that someday the government prohibit opposite sex marriages, thousands of people would think that it would be crazy. Well, some people that are lesbians, gays and bisexuals are born like that and they believe that being with the same sex is right. I believe that people should be happy and if we don’t recognize same sex marriages, there are several people that will never be happy because they can’t get married.
Post a Comment