Same sex marriage is a topic today that brings strong moral objections from both sides. Should same sex marriage be allowed? I intend to analyze three different aspects relevant to this very controversial subject matter: Marriage as it exists as a religious institution, marriage as a contractual agreement, and finally, why I believe “marriage” should be allowed for everyone, straight, gay or otherwise. I strongly believe that to disallow same sex marriage simply as a registered, contractual partnership denies citizens American civil liberties, and should not be allowed.
Marriage, in my opinion, is a sacred rite deeply rooted in Christian faith that recognizes a family unit in its greatest and simplest form; the union of one man and one woman. Marriage symbolizes the necessary components required for the reproduction of people as a species and is as old as man himself. When our founding fathers founded this country, the conventions of their time were incorporated into the structure of government and were later recognized by law ensuring that this partnership was sanctioned and protected. Marriage as an institution has been time tested and proven as the oldest and most successful combination to start a family. It is absolutely important to point out that under Christian faith; it is especially unsavory for this time tested institution to be nothing but a single man and a single woman. Any other combination of number or gender is strictly prohibited and is contrary to the majority of Christian sentiment. In this country, it has been later established that there is a very fine but definite separation of church and state. It is due to this, that however strong our moral objections may be, me included, we must not blur the...
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...term, and all laws be amended to reflect his. Calling all unions by a single term, either civil unions or marriage, under law would be fair and acceptable, and ensure that all men and woman are treated equally with their civil rights intact.
In conclusion, recognizing gay marriage as an issue of civil liberties in a country strongly rooted in Christian faith clearly defines that the priorities of law should be, despite obvious moral contradictions. With protection of civil liberties paramount, one can only conclude that in the spirit of protecting the foundation on which this country was formed, that gay marriage should be allowed and recognized by the state. Marriage should be defined by law exactly as it is: a contractual agreement, between able minded adults, defining responsibility for each other, independent of race, creed, sexual orientation, and love.
In his article “Sacred Rite or Civil Right?” Howard Moody tackles the controversial issue of the definition of marriage and inclusion of same-sex marriage into that definition. The real issue that takes center stage is the not so clear separation between the church and the state. Moody, an ordained Baptist minister, shares his belief that it’s only a matter of time that civil law is once again redefined and homosexual marriage is recognized just as much as heterosexual marriage. The gay marriage debate he suggests isn’t focused on the relationship between such couples and is more about how to define such unions as a “marriage”. (353)
Abstract On June 26, 2015 a divided Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples could now marry nationwide. At the time of the split ruling there were 9 supreme court justices, 5 of the justices were Republicans, and the remaining 4 were Democrats. In high profile cases it is except that the justices will vote along party lines. When the 5-4 ruling was reveled by the following statement. “It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right (Corn,2015).” written by
Same sex marriage may seem, to some, a crazy idea as marriage in this country is built on the foundation of a man and a woman marrying, but Sullivan points out that until recent centuries marriage was a contract into which a woman entered so that she would be controlled by her husba...
Being so advanced technologically, it is surprising how America is still so behind on the issue of same-sex marriage. The United States should push aside the religious argument in this debate, and truly separate its church and state as it claims to do so. From its slow beginning to the rapid increase of support in the 70’s, homosexual marriage has been a controversial debate that hopefully will end in the near future.
Over the years in our country’s history it has been apparent that the idea of same sex marriages is becoming much more popular, however in most states there is still one thing stopping them. That one thing stopping two people from the pursuit of happiness which they desire is a social injustice. Social injustices are situations where a person or group of people is treated unfairly due to certain factors for example discrimination, prejudice, racism, heterosexism, sexism, and so forth. In the case of same sex marriages, the factor playing a major role in this social injustice is where most people believe that opposite sexes attract, but in the case of a same sex couple wanting to be married, this brings about many topics to be discussed by people, as not everyone thinks the same way. Everyday a same sex couple wants to get married but is either denied their want, or is forced to conform to a civil union. This should not be the case however; people of the same sex should be allowed what every other couple is allowed due to the fact that each and every person has the right to happiness, and the right to marriage despite their sexual orientation.
In the United States, over 17 states have legalized same sex marriage. In addition, around 16 countries have been able to legalize gay marriages too. This was an incredible breakthrough since same sex marriages had increased over the years. Individuals have the right to marry and get married to their preferred partners. However, there is still an opposition on gay marriages from many groups around the globe today. The groups feel that same sex marriages should be illegal and that; they are against the law and violate the marriage institution. In addition, they argue that, gay marriages are against the biblic...
Marriage as generally define is the union between one man and one woman. However a recent debate over same-sex marriage has stirred a nationwide debate reverberating in the halls of Congress, at the White House, in dozens of state courtrooms and legislatures, and is also becoming a speech-making topic for election campaigns at both the national and state levels. As the debate for this controversial topic rages on, the American religious community view on the topic remains deeply divided over the matter and over the morality of homosexuality in general. Granting legal marriage right to gays and lesbians would primarily alter the idea of marriage, ignore a child’s right to a mother and father, and expands government control of marriage.
One of the most controversial issues around today is gay marriages. Many believe that the media is primly responsible for the idea of same-sex marriages, but when it all comes down to it there are really only two sides; those who support gay marriages, and those who oppose them. Two authors write their opinions on their opposite views on this issue. Sullivan (2002) supports same-sex marriages and believes marriage to be a universal right, not just restricted to heterosexuals. Contrary to Sullivan, Bennett (2002) believes that marriage is a sacred traditional family value that should be set aside for heterosexual couples. (2002)Throughout this essay, I will summarize both authors’ ideas and evaluate them through their evidence and styles.
The concept of same-sex civil unions have throughout the history of society, but have always come attached with a stigma and a hugely divided audience of interest. In 1970, the first same-sex couple applied for a marriage license in Hennepin, Minnesota and were denied. The couple decided to try a different county and were granted their license. This led to the Supreme Court case Baker v. Nelson, which ended up being eventually dismissed under the grounds of “a want of a substantial federal question”. However, several other cases involving same-sex marriage in the US have led to Supreme Court cases deciphering and interpreting our constitutional rights. From Baker v. Vermont to Perry v. Brown, the Supreme Court has interpreted a handful of legal disputes questioning ...
In the United States, legalization of same-sex marriage has a long-standing history of opposition from religious circles. Some argue against the legalization of same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of the Bible’s stance against homosexuality (Dobson, O’Brien). Other opponents argue against the practice based on universal tenets of moral behavior, fundamental beliefs that are said to underpin our country’s existing laws and should not be eroded (George, Finnis, Friedman).
Furthermore, the word "equal" in section 1 of the 14th amendment implies that everyone should have the right to get married no matter what his or her sexual preference. Marriage is the legal and public documentation of the love and trust two people share for each other. This means that anyone should be able to marry whomever he or she wishes.
Gay marriage has been a controversial issue for over half a century; one of the issues is where gays aren’t allowed to marry another individual of the same sex. There have been propositions, bans and legalizations on same-sex marriage that differ from state to state. Some states for example such as California and New York allow gay marriage and the remaining states disagree with that decision. The thoughts and beliefs of citizens of different states also have conflict, especially in the southeastern region of the United States as they are anti-gay. Some individuals feel that in the traditional definition that marriage is usually between one man and one woman. However, there are others who believe that true love does not have a gender and everyone has the right to marry whomever the want. Even if the whole nation decided to officially prohibit gay marriage, or legalize it, there will always be people with logical and moral conflicting opinions and judgments on same-sex marriage. The main argument is to analyze what actually determines a marriage to be acceptable or unacceptable to society.
One major political issue that many United States citizens are struggling with is getting a law passed across the US that would allow the same-sex marriage law in every state. Even though same-sex relationships have been going on for a very long time, there are some people who support these relationships and some people who do not. The biggest issue with same-sex relationships is the marriage part because some people do not believe that the commitment they are going to be put into by law is a marriage. This is because when defining the word marriage it means that only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word spouse refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife (Gacek.) This also means that in a marriage there will be sexual relations, companionship and friendship, conversation, procreation and child-rearing, mutual responsibility and love. According to Christopher Gacek, Before the Constitutional Convention in 1787, relations between the states were not ideal, so as a way to reduce the tension, the new constitution made a provision, the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which states that Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial proceedings of every other state, therefore the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect (Article IV, sec. 1) This clause had an impact on the defense of marriage act, because in 1996 the act to help defend one-man and one-women marriages from the efforts people were taking to redefine it. The U.S. Congress and President Bill Clinton passed the Defense of Marriage Act this law defined marriage as a federal law an...
Same-sex marriage is a broad and current controversy in the United States today. The movement to legalize same-sex marriage started in the 1970; however, it is still not legal in all fifty states yet (“Same-sex marriage in the United States”). Legalizing same-sex marriage should not be a debate. People should be able to marry who they love regardless of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage should be legal because it is a human right, religion should not interfere with state laws, it does not adversely affect the heterosexual community in any way, and same-sex marriage can actually benefit our society.
The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, and religious issue. Because of this same-sex marriage is a very controversial topic. Legal acknowledgement of same sex marriage is commonly referred to as marriage equality. Many advocates of marriage equality argue that laws restricting marriage to only heterosexuals discriminate against homosexuals. On the other hand advocates against same-sex marriage argue that it would undo long-standing traditions and change the meaning of marriage in a damaging manor. In this essay I will be arguing for same-sex marriage. The arguments mentioned as well as others will be discusses throughout this paper.