There are several public policy issues surrounding today’s world, such as abortion, welfare, education and other social reform issues. It seems that no one can come to a common ground on the lawfulness of these topics. Personal beliefs, such as religion, culture, upbringing and ethnicity all play a vital part in deciding one’s feeling on a given issue. These public issues don’t vary by states or countries, they are universal. However, the most current controversial and talk about issue in the State of Mississippi is same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage (also known as gay marriage) is a marriage between two people of the same gender identity. For example, when a man marry another man or when a woman marry another woman. Marriage has been around since the beginning of time. When two people fall in love with each other, they have the right to marry if they choose, but this isn’t the case when it comes to people who fall in love who are of the same sex. Being from the South, and being brought up in a Baptist church, I was taught that it was immoral for a man to marry another man or a woman to marry another woman. The pastor would bring up scriptures like, 1
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Many denominations have their stances on same sex marriage and homosexuality. Many would go as far as saying; homosexuality is an abomination before God. However, the bible teaches us in Many argue that churches are not discriminating against same-sex marriages, but as Christians they have to witness to what is right and therefore oppose as immoral both homosexual acts and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons. For example, the Catholic Church opposes same sex marriage and the social acceptance of homosexuality and same sex relationships, but by the same token they teach that homosexual persons deserve respect, justice and pastoral care. So how do they deserve justice, when they can’t marry one another? Is this
However, what many people does not realized it is that by stating that God does not agree with homosexuality, they are segregating homosexuals and treating them differently. For example, there have been several news and statistical data that shows how the LGBT community is sometimes treated unequal in many ways, especially marriage. Marriage is defined as the civil union of two people that love each other. However, gay marriage was not permitted on several states until June of 2015. It was not until June 26, 2015 that the US Supreme Court that stated how the constitution of the United States will guarantee the right of marriage to couple of the same sex. Furthermore, compared to other times a lot more people are supporting the LGBT community,”
In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the court determined gay marriage to be a constitutional right, striking down several dozen state laws against SSM. While there has been some residual pushback against this decision, overall there has been broad complacence due to a high level of public support for the decision. Little scholarship has been done on how this decision has been implemented because the discussion was made so recently, but some measures show that “99.87 percent of the U.S. population [lives] in a county where same-sex marriage licenses are available” ("Local Government Responses to Obergefell v. Hodges." n.d.). While there are some pockets of resistance it is clear that there is broad local compliance with this decision, likely because of its broad popularity. Instances in which local bodies choose to disregard the Obergefell decision are highly publicized, and generally receive a great deal of public criticism. Thus, the SSM marriage example has fulfilled the two conditions for successful policy, as interest groups were able to use the courts to accomplish a set of aims, and local support has allowed for the implementation of the policy. While there has been some pushback along the way, this pushback has only served to further raise awareness of issue in the minds of the American people, and helped this cause gain
In the United States, conservative Christians are more involved than ever when it comes to limiting the right gays and lesbians to marry, claiming that it’s wrong due to the fact that the Bible clearly states that marriage is between a man and a woman (Burn 178). “Most fundamentalist and conservative religions will not ordain gays and lesbians or permit them to serve in religious leadership roles (Burn 178).”
Marriage is defined as “(1) the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage ("Marriage," 2003, p. 659). Despite the latter definition’s addition to dictionaries in the past decade, this definition of marriage is still debated. Being a touchy subject in both politics and religion today, it’s been very hard to come to an agreement. There are two main sides to this argument regarding the nature of marriage. Some stick to their conservative and/or religious beliefs, while others state that marriage is a civil right (Kim, 2011, p. [Page 38]). However, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in North Carolina and thirty-two other states at this time ("Defining Marriage: State Defense," 2014). Homosexuals have been denied many of the rights given to those that are heterosexual. Same-sex couples are not able to receive other benefits as a heterosexual couple would. The lack of benefits is extremely unequal and unfair. This unacceptable treatment is unconstitutional and should not continue.
Every Sunday at six in the morning in my entire life I was always told to believe that the church is one, holy, catholic [universal], and apostolic. One of the traditional beliefs that was passed down to me from the church and my family, is that I must serve and love GOD from Jesus Christ to gain access to heaven. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who teaches us through the word of the Church, which is why am always accompanied by my family to attend church. the entire right side of the church is occupied by my extended family. My family and I follow Gods ten commandments, especially to “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18). And then there’s the views of Homosexuality, the church “The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage and the social acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex relationships, but teaches that homosexual persons deserve respect, justice and pastoral care” (http://www.americancatholic.org/News/Homosexuality/default.asp). Because am catholic, my views on gays is that is wrong, which is why my sexual orientation is heterosexual. In high school, I had two friends that were gay. I remember thinking how wrong it was because "marriage
Barclay, Scott and Shauna Fisher. "The States and the Differing Impetus for Diverging Paths on Same-Sex Marriage." Policy Studies Journal (2003): 3. eLibrary. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
Even up until now, the controversial issue of homosexuality is still apparent and widely discussed in many countries all over the world. Although many people are becoming more open minded and less skeptical about homosexuality, many more are still reluctant to accept the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities as equals. Whilst many may argue that their religion absolutely forbids same sex marriages, thus, rejecting the idea of homosexual relationship, many of them feels it is their right to make the gays and lesbians straight again. For instance, in South Africa, many males practice corrective rape. It is a form of hate crime towards lesbians in order to ‘cure’ them of their homosexuality in order to change them into heterosexuals (Strudwick, 2014). This proves how sick and twisted the minds of homophobes are. As a Catholic myself, even though I was taught that same sex relationship is wrong and not natural, I do not condemn homosexuals or look down on them. In fact, I even have friends that are gay or bisexual. It is good that more countries have now implemented new laws to protect the LGBT community. This ensures the lower crime rate and discrimination of the LGBTs. Despite the fact that a few European countries and several others have legalized same sex marriages, there are still rejection and objection from some parties particularly from the Roman Catholic Church (Bingham, 2005). Why does the Church have such strong objections? Through my research, I will discuss on the views and teachings of the Catholic Church on homosexuality and same sex marriage.
"It is not sufficient only to avoid unjust discrimination. Homosexual persons 'must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity'"(Catechism par.2358, Always 6,9)
An argument is sound when it is valid and has all true premises. The legitimacy of the first premise depends on what context it is taken in. If taken in its individual sense, that gay people just by themselves cannot naturally have biological children, then the first premise stands some contradiction. However, gay people can have babies through natural processes like insemination or adoption. There are a large number of orphans who need the essentials of life, including but not limited ...
Within many Christian religions, a marriage is a union that is believed to be exclusive to one man and one woman. It is meant as a symbol of love and the couple 's union as ordained by God. It is very sacred to Christians and because of this can influence their opinions of who should be married and how they interact on the topic of same-sex marriage. To many same-sex couples, it is a symbol of their love and commitment to one another, just as it is in part to Christians. Some people of Christian faith can see same-sex marriage as downright sacrilegious since to them marriage is tied to God and they do not believe that God would approve of such a union. Many people do not understand why anybody
Marriage is a “socially recognized and approved union between individuals, who commit to one another with the expectations of a stable and lasting intimate relationship. It begins with a ceremony known as a wedding which formally unites marriage partners. A marital relationship usually involves some kind of contract, either written or specified by tradition, which defines the partners’ rights and obligations to each other, to any children they may have, and to their relatives. In most contemporary industrialized societies, marriage is certified by the government,” (Skolnick, 2005). Marriage is also an important institution because of the impact it has on society. Marriage is the main way that reproduction of human life occurs. In some societies it is tradition for family heirlooms or things of value be passed on through marriage. Marriage also serves as a healthy way to have intimate relationships with an individual. In most places a marriage exists between two people of the opposite sex. However, the legal definition of marriage is currently being challenged by many. According to Skolnick’s article a marriage can be defined by responsibilities that a couple would share, some examples are: living together, having sexual relations, sharing money and financial responsibilities, and having a child together. The issue is that homosexual couples can do these things like heterosexual couples.
The general outlines to Catholic religion are referenced throughout the bible; nowhere in the bible does it say that same-sex marriage is at all acceptable. Therefore, many religious minorities believe that marriage is only acceptable between a man and a woman. If America prides itself on being the home of freedom and hope, anyone who is truly in love should be married when they want to be. If all marriages were treated equally, America could live up to being the home of the free. By denying same-sex unions, America is violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Many people believe in a traditional marriage between a man and a woman. God created man and woman to be faithful and produce children. Same-sex marriage is contrary to the word of God and the laws of nature; therefore, it is incompatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups. Many biblical scriptures talk about how immoral same-sex marriage is.
Homosexuals believe that no sin is greater than the other and that people against same sex marriage are sinning for judging them. The bible states “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Only God can judge and he has the last say. God loves everyone equally the same and they feel like if God can still love them, why cannot we. Therefore, homosexuals who want to be married just want the same rights and treatments as heterosexuals.
Marriage is just one way for two people to show their love for another. Whether it is two men, two women, or a man and a woman, love is love. People against gay marriage do not have the right to deny people of showing their love for one another. Everyone deserves the same rights as Americans and also just as people. The United States of America promotes freedom, liberty, and justice for all people. Same-sex couples are many times not included when it comes to marriage rights.