The Defense of Marriage Act Violates the Civil Liberties of Same Sex Couples

Marriage is the religious and legal commitment between two people, as well as the ultimate expression of love. However, marriages between same sex couples are not recognized by the federal government due to the Defense of Marriage Act. In essence, their civil right to be married is withheld from them. The Christian majority's influence in federal policy and lawmaking is one of the foremost reason why same-sex marriage has continually failed to gain long term acceptance in the United States.

Same-sex unions have come to the forefront of American politics in the last couple of decades, but history has shown that it is a longstanding issue. The first historical mention of same-sex marriages occurred during the early Roman Empire. Emperors Nero and Elagabalus both married male slaves and historians are much agreed that same-sex marriages were common. However as Christianity, then a new religion, gained momentum, it's sanctions against homosexuality eventually ensured that same-sex marriages lost favor. In fact, as new Emperors themselves were now Christians, a new law in the Theodosian Code was issued, prohibiting same-sex marriage and making the offense punishible by execution. Thus began a long history of Christian persecution of homosexuals.

Today, the most common objection to same sex marriage again seems to arise from religious doctrine. Opponents argue that same sex marriage not only infringes on religious freedom and that such unions are in contradiction to the biblical purpose of marriage, but will also have the effect of normalizing and encouraging homosexual behavior. However, many Christian leaders have spoken out in support of same sex marriage, going so far as to state that it would only strengthen marriage as an institution. Christian supporters also note that in widely respected works of biblical records the term "homosexual" is never used, affirming the claims that the term is actually a mistranslation from the original text of the bible. They further attest that since the original authors of the bible never use the term homosexual, the bible cannot therefore forbid homosexuality and by extention, same-sex marriage. Furthermore, The Church of Canada, many Quaker organization, The Church of Christ, The Metropolitan Community Church and some Catholic theologians have openly supported and approved same-sex marriages.

The legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage in the United States are complicated by the nation's federal government system of government.