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Religious views on same-sex marriage
Religious views on same-sex marriage
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What is Marriage?
According to Cornell University Law School, the definition of marriage is “The lawful union of a couple as spouses. The basic elements of a marriage are: (1) the parties' legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as required by law.” This definition states that marriage is essentially a contract between two people. Nowhere in this definition does it state that the marriage has to be between a man and a woman.
However, the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of marriage is “(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.” This definition does allow for the interpretation of marriage as being a marriage, whether it is an opposite or a same-sex marriage.
What is a gay marriage?
When searching for a dictionary definition of a gay marriage or same-sex marriage it could not be found. However, in Wikopedia (not the most reliable source) a definition was found. It states that same-sex marriage (also known as gay marriage) is marriage between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity. Legal recognition of same-sex marriage or the possibility to perform a same-sex marriage is sometimes referred to as marriage equality or equal marriage, particularly by supporters. Many opponents characterize the legalization of same-sex marriage as “redefining marriage."
Florida’s law on gay marriage:
In Florida, gay marriage is not legally allowed due to statues that define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The state passed the Defen...
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...me-sex marriages, whether a person believes in it or not. However, if they are going to happen, then those people in the same-sex unions should be made to contribute to society as a “man and woman” union.
Works Cited
• "Marriage." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• "Marriage." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• "Gay Marriage Laws in Florida." Florida. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• "Florida Gay Marriage." Law Office of Gideon I Alper RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• "Gay Marriage ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• "Gay Marriage." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 June 2014. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
• “Gay Marriage: States That Allow Same-Sex Unions Have Lower Divorce Rateshttp.” The Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/gay-marriage_n_3513028.html. 27 June 2013.
Throughout the recent history of America, gay marriage has always been an issue. With the different views and morals everyone has on the subject, it makes it hard for individual states to determine what side they should be on. In 1983 a Harvard Law School student, Evan Wolfson, wrote a thesis stating the rule of marriage equality. Justices concluded that gay couples were entitled to the legal benefits of civil marriage; and most crucially in the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts, whose favorable ruling, in a suit by lawyer Mary Bonauto and the Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocated and Defenders, led to the nation’s first bona fide same-sex marriages…” (“Gay Marriage turns 10 and Credit Should Be Spread around- The Boston Globe). On May 17, 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay marriages. In June of 2013, California legalized gay marriages, which helped their large LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) community. (“History and Timeline of the Freedom…”). When this finally happened, it was seen as a great achievement by Karmala Harris, a California Attorney. “This is a profound day in our country, and its just the right thing: ‘Justice is finally being served’” (“Court Gives OK for California Gay Marriages”).
Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time, there wasn’t an actual name for it, but surely, sexual acts between two individuals of the same sex still occurred. Homosexuality, homoeroticism, bisexuality, polygamism and even just questioning these ideas were often looked down upon. I say this because in a biblical sense, it was believed that only a man and a woman should come together. Most Christians and Jews believe that in the beginning of creation, God created Adam and Eve to multiply the earth. So going against God’s will and engaging in sexual activity with someone of the same sex was mostly looked down upon. There are people who are in no way religious who believe that homosexuality is wrong because they believe that it’s more likely to spread STD’s, some people may just had a bad experience involving a homosexual or homosexuals, and some believe that it’s goes against the “natural law”. People believe that it goes against the “natural law” because they believe that two people should be able to reproduce so that the human race can thrive. But since two men, and two women can’t reproduce with each other, it goes against that “law”.
What is marriage? Based on what a person believes, marriage can mean many different things. For example, someone with a Christian background might say that it is a holy matrimony of man and woman. For someone with a background of atheism, it might mean committing to their significant other, which ever gender they are, for the rest of their life. However, this can change from person to person depending on what they believe marriage is.
Wolf, Richard. “Timeline: Same-Sex marriage through the years.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 26 June 2015,
The ruling of Baehr vs. Lewin was a victory for gay rights activists, hope for other states searching for the same freedom, and disappointment for opponents of same-sex marriage. Yet this victory was short lived (until complete legalization in November 13, 2013) since the state appealed the lower court’s decis...
Many people’s opinion on gay marriage is that same-sex marriage violates the “true” intentions of marriage, which “should” be between a man and a woman, but a more broad definition of marriage would be “(broadly) any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities”
In order to address this issue, one must first define the concept or meaning of marriage. However, this is a rather subjective approach, because the way we define marriage depends on our own views and interpretations.
Stoddard, T, Fein, B, (Jan. 1990) Gay Marriage, Personal relationships, Marriage, Legislation, Homosexuality, American Bar Association, (Pages 42, 42)
What is marriage? According to Webster’s Dictionary a marriage is “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.” It can also be stated for those of the same sex, but for the purpose of this paper it will be examined from a heterosexual standpoint.
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.
... Society needs to reevaluate the definition of love and the fact that all humans are created equal and should be able to love whomever they want to. There needs to be more laws and support for same-sex couples and gay marriage. Laws should be made to protect those who choose to love the person of the same-sex, and no discrimination against gays. Judging same-sex marriages should never be acceptable when including: health concerns, adoption, living conditions, job opportunities, ECT... Everyone should be able to love whoever they want and never let anything get into the way of that. In today’s society some people can't be with the person they truly love, because it is not society acceptable in most areas and it is too much of a struggle live like that on a daily basis. The world needs to open their eyes and realize that this is not acceptable under any circumstances.
... made groups of people have a very hostile attitude toward the subject matter. The traditional view of marriage is also important because it influences future generations and teaches children the meaning of the special union of a man and a woman. Many people also argue that when raising a child he or she should be raised by a father and a mother. Not both of the same sex. Although the debate of same-sex marriage may not affect some people, this is a hot topic that has changed the opinion of many people around the world. The topic of same-sex marriage is a subject that needs to be discusses by individuals who are certain of what they stand for and are capable of providing others with true and convincing arguments.
In conclusion I argue that banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it denies homosexuals the many benefits received by heterosexual couples. The right to marriage in the United States has little to do with the religious and spiritual meaning of marriage. It has a lot to do with social justice, extending a civil right to a minority group. This is why I argue for same-sex marriage. The freedom to marry regardless of gender preference should be allowed.
Marriage is the joining of a man and a woman, who loves one another and wants to spend the rest of their lives together. It is not the joining of two women or two men and I do not believe the society our or U.S. government redefine the true meaning of marriage. I am against same sex marriage because of the following several reasons. Gay marriages are unacceptable in my opinion because it goes against God’s words. God’s word is the truth and no one can change it.
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.