Real Marriage In the article, The Catholic Church Rejects Homosexual Acts, but Condemns Prejudice Against Homosexual Persons, Vincent Foy attests that homosexuality used to be known “as a grave moral evil, worthy of death and hell”(3). However, in today’s society, homosexuality has begun to be accepted as a normal and natural human condition. Thus it is wrong, to treat a homosexual with disrespect and hatred. Despite this, same-sex marriage should not be legalized because it devalues and changes the nature of marriage. For centuries, marriage has usually referred to relations between males and females. The different, yet complimentary anatomy of both sexes makes these relations natural and logical. Together, both sexes can create new life, and expand their communities. Most often, marriage will ensure that offspring are taken care of by responsible individuals. Offspring can become part of a family in which they learn the culture and values held by their parents and community. Children can feel a sense of belonging within their families, and shape their respective personas based on the examples set by each parent. Therefore, marriage is absolutely important. In fact, according to Foy, marriage has been part of “major religions, of countless generations and societies” (3). In the King James Version of the Bible, it is written that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife” (Matt 19. 5). Therefore, most Christians observe marriage as a holy union between heterosexual couples. Unlike Christians, Buddhists do not view marriage as a holy union, yet they do celebrate marriage for any heterosexual couples willing to form a family of their own. According to Reverend T. S. Deacon Economos, marriage exists amo... ... middle of paper ... ...//ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010143282&mode=view&&userGroupName=mcps_blair&jsid=e1453a419ad614bd35ce3a68250be966> Rauch, Jonathan. "The Government Should Sanction Gay Marriage, Not Domestic Partnerships." Homosexuality. Ed. Paul Connors. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Current Controversies. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2011. Schiffren, Lisa. “Gay Marriage, an Oxymoron.” Read, Reason, Write. By Dorothy U. Seyler. Ed. Emily Barrosse. 8th ed. New York: McGraw, 2008. 579-58. Print. The New American Bible. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. Print. Waite, J. Linda. “Social Science Finds: ‘Marriage Matters.’” Read, Reason, Write. By Dorothy U. Seyler. Ed. Emily Barrosse. 8th ed. New York: McGraw, 2008. 566-57. Print.
The constitutional right of gay marriage is a hot topic for debate in the United States. Currently, 37 states have legal gay marriage, while 13 states have banned gay marriage. The two essays, "What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?" by Katha Pollitt and "Gay "Marriage": Societal Suicide" by Charles Colson provide a compare and contrast view of why gay marriage should be legal or not. Pollitt argues that gay marriage is a constitutional human right and that it should be legal, while Colson believes that gay marriage is sacrilegious act that should not be legal in the United States and that “it provides a backdrop for broken families and increases crime rates” (Colson, pg535). Both authors provide examples to support their thesis. Katha Pollitt provides more relevant data to support that gay marriage is a constitutional right and should be enacted as law in our entire country, she has a true libertarian mindset.
Marriage is the foundation of modern society and has historically been present in most civilizations. Marriage is associated with many positive health outcomes and is encouraged across most racial/ethnic groups. According to Sbarra, Law, and Portley (2011), the social institution of marriage has changed much since the 19th century especially in the way it can be terminated. Married African American or Black men are happier, make more money, are less likely to face poverty, and choose healthier behaviors than their counterparts that are divorced (Bachman, Clayton, Glenn, Malone-Colon, & Roberts, 2005). The converse is true for Black women who seem to be the only sub-group not to achieve the universal health and other benefits gained from marriage (Bachman, et al., 2005). This paradox in marital benefits have many implications including lower martial satisfaction and divorce.
Meezan, William and Jonathan Rauch. "Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting,and America's Children." Marriage and Child Wellbeing 15 (2005): 2.
The two texts examined within, present the opposing extremes of views regarding gay and lesbian marriage. The first text entitled Let Gays Marry by Andrew Sullivan examines the intricacies of same sex relationships and why homosexual couples should be allowed to publicly show affection for one another. The second text that will be examined is titled Leave Marriage Alone written by William Bennett. Bennett gives his views on why couples of same sex nature should not be allowed to engage in marital relations. These two authors, although very different, each has a view of the ideals of marriage, and how it should be presented to the public.
Human beings are not isolated individuals. We do not wander through a landscape of trees and dunes alone, reveling in our own thoughts. Rather, we need relationships with other human beings to give us a sense of support and guidance. We are social beings, who need talk and company almost as much as we need food and sleep. We need others so much, that we have developed a custom that will insure company: marriage. Marriage assures each of us of company and association, even if it is not always positive and helpful. Unfortunately, the great majority of marriages are not paragons of support. Instead, they hold danger and barbs for both members. Only the best marriages improve both partners. So when we look at all three of Janie’s marriages, only her marriage to Teacake shows the support, guidance, and love.
Newton, D. E. (2010). Same-sex Marriage : A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Is marriage really important? There is a lot of controversy over marriage and whether it is eminent. Some people believe it is and some people believe it is not. These opposing opinions cause this controversy. “On Not Saying ‘I do’” by Dorian Solot explains that marriage is not needed to sustain a relationship or a necessity to keep it healthy and happy. Solot believes that when a couple gets married things change. In “For Better, For Worse”, Stephanie Coontz expresses that marriage is not what is traditional in society because it has changed and is no longer considered as a dictator for people’s lives. The differences between these two essays are the author’s writing style and ideas.
Kennedy, Dorothy M., and Jane E. Aaron. " What's Wrong with Gay Marriage?." The Bedford Reader. By X. J. Kennedy. 11th ed. Boston: St. Martin’s, 2012. 570-572. Print.
Stoddard, Thomas. “Gay Marriage: Make Them Legal”. Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Pages 31 – 52. Bedford Books. Boston. 1996
Gay marriage is a hotly debated issue in today's society. Andrew Sullivan and William Bennett offer opposing views in the June 3, 1996 edition of Newsweek. Sullivan's article, “Let Gays Marry,” offers several arguments supporting the issues of same sex marriage. Bennett counters in his article, “Leave Marriage Alone,” that same sex marriages would be damaging to the sanctity of marriage. Each author presents several reasons for the positions they defend and bring up valid points to defend their opinions. William Bennett and Andrew Sullivan share a mutual respect for the values and sacredness of the bond of marriage. Their disagreements stem from who they believe should be allowed to marry.
Soule, S. A. (2004). Going to the Chapel? Same Sex Marriage Bans in the United States. Social Problems, 453-477.
Johnston, R. (2013). Marriage and the Metaphysics of Bodily Union: Framing the Same-Sex Marriage Debate. Social Theory and Practice, Vol. 39, No. 2 (April 2013): 288-312 DOI: 10.5840/soctheorpract201339216.
Inside the article “Why Marriage is Good for You”, Maggie Gallagher makes claims that marriage improves many facets of an individual’s life; including both mental and physical health, longevity, finances, and reduced chances of infidelity (Gallagher). The statements made throughout the article reference many statistics and studies conducted by various organizations and individuals, however, Gallagher falls victim to a number of common logical fallacies. While this weakens Gallagher’s argument in the article, it does not necessarily make it false.
Wheeler, S. M. "Same-sex marriage in the Americas: policy innovation for same-sex relationships." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries 48.4 (2010): 770-771. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts. EBSCO. Web. 2 Mar. 2011.
In society, the people that constitute marriage are the policy makers in our government. Unfortunately, marriage is a privilege and not a right. In some states, homosexuals are not allowed to get married (Lamanna and Reidmann, pg. 276). Although people in s...