Gay marriage is controversial because some people think it is a sin to have in their society. Religious teaching may influence but should not necessarily control aspects of public life. Nor should these religious views be the deciding factors in our secular society. As a personal liberty which has no impact on the rights of others, the government should allow gay citizens to marry.
In reviewing the benefits of gay marriage, one first must look at the definition of marriage itself. Marriage can be both a religious and secular event. The separation of church and state has been a key pillar of our nation’s values. This value is enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Religions are free to make rules and requirements for marriage within their own religious teachings without governmental interference. However, the government also regulates marriage. In discussing the issue of gay marriage, the current controversy only relates to non-religious marriage, what the government will or will not recognize.
Arguments against gay marriage generally include a weakening of traditional family values, concern about raising children, immorality and Biblical prohibitions. Other opponents view allowing gay marriage as a slippery slope to other unions, including incest, human-animal, polygamy, use of blow-up dolls, and so forth. “Unless we develop a firm definition of what marriage is, the options are endless. If these options sound absurd, just remember that all it takes is a few activist judges to use the statutes to open the door” (balancedpolitics.org).
Traditional families are vi...
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...Child Abuse Rate at Zero Percent in Lesbian Households, New Report Finds.” Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Ariana Huffington. 17 Nov. 2011.
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No Listed Author. “Gay Marriage Facts and Statistics – History of Gay Marriage.” Gay Marriage Tips- Gay Marriage Jewelry – Gay Marriage Laws – Gay Divorce. Lifetips. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
Yen, Hope. “Census: 150,000 Gay Marriages Reported.” Huffingtonpost.com. Ariana Huffington, 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 5 Dec. 2011.
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As an American citizen, a person should be entitled to marry whoever they choose, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Gay marriage is something that some people consider to be taboo while other people are very supportive of it; I am one of the latter. The ability to marry someone is a basic human right and it should not be taken away from someone because they love a person of the same gender. One of the main reasons that gay marriage is illegal in the United States is because of what the Bible says about it, regardless of the fact that the first Amendment of the US Constitution says that there is to be a separation between church and state. Approximately three point eight percent of the United States population is made up of people
Originally colonizing for religious reasons in the 17th century, the United States of America has evolved since then into a nation that separates government and personal beliefs. Although the U.S claims that their church and state is separated, the issue of gay marriage is still a relevant issue today. Thoughts on same-sex marriage are primarily based off of religious beliefs, yet the U.S. government still believes it should control whether gays should be married or not. The U.S. should make gay marriage legal, because it is unconstitutional not to do so.
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.
Opponents of same-sex marriage have about as many reasons to not allow gay marriage as supporters have to allow it. One reason people don't want gays getting married is because in most religions, it is a sin to be attracted to the same gender, and completely unspeakable to marry them. (TFP Student Action; page 1) They think that if we were to allow gays to marry, it would promote the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, and society would be forced to accept it. (TFP Student Action; page 1) Children would get confused after seeing two men/women getting married at a church, and may think they can behave this way, even if their religion is against it. (TFP Student Action; page 1) Schools could even begin to teach about the gay culture, due to it being so socially accepted. (TFP Student Action; page 1)
The United States is known world wide for its civil rights and freedoms. Many Americans are appalled by the idea of same-sex marriages. What?s wrong with the idea of two people who care greatly for one another wanting to spend their lives together? The gay community is misunderstood because many straights are not willing to listen. These individuals would rather just be closed-minded in this situation and reticent to really think about what this means to the gay community and the country. Same sex couples are not asking for any special rights; they are just asking to be treated equal with opposite sex couples. The explanations given by many Americans against gay marriages are based on false assumptions and unsubstantiated arguments. However, the real and unspoken reasons many heterosexuals have against same-sex marriages are based on religious beliefs.
Laycock, Douglas, Anthony R. Picarello, and Robin Fretwell. Wilson. Same-sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts. [Washington, D.C.]: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, 2008. Print.
... Top Ten Harms of Same-sex Marriage” by Peter Sprigg “religious freedom not only applies to formal houses of worship of worship, but at home, in their neighborhoods, and in the workplace”(2). With same-sex marriage being legalized there is no more religious freedom. Catholic schools that are completely against welcoming same-sex couples in their schools will no longer have a choice. Churches where same-sex couples are not welcome, no longer have a choice but to welcome them. Employers that are religiously against same-sex couples can no longer discriminate them for their sexual orientation but instead for their work ethics. Same-sex marriage being legalized is unconstitutional, it completely conflicts with the first amendment which gives people the right to exercise their religion freely. But with same-sex marriage being legalize their religious freedom is limited.
Same-sex marriage or “gay” marriage is described as a relationship between two people of the same gender. Marriage should be between two people who love each other; it should have nothing to do with gender. In most states, married couples are treated differently than a non- married couple, which goes for gay couples as well. In some states, same-sex marriage is illegal. Those who don’t support same sex marriage, whether it be because of harbored hostility or their traditional views, are more accepting of a legislative decision over a judicial decision (Dry, p. 277-278). Same sex couples should have the same rights as straight couples. “The case for same sex marriage is stronger than the case against, largely because it obtains clear benefits
There are many opponents of gay people as it is, and they all have their reasons to dislike the idea of permitting them get married. One of the main reasons is that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation. Because gay couples are unable to have children, they should not be allowed to marry (Schiffen 495). Another main argument is that the word marriage means the union of one man and one woman. This is a long-standing theme of most major Western religions. Under a proposed bill known as the Defense of Marriage act, marriage is defined as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” Furthermore, it defines a spouse as “ a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife” (What 1). Under these guidelines, it is quite obvious that gay couples would not be eligible for marriage. People against homosexual marriage also say that it is a person’s choice to be gay. Since the individual chooses to be a homosexual, they should not be given special privileges. Another argument that you hear is that these couples should not get married simply because of the torment and ridicule they would be faced with in their everyday lives. There are news reports from across America telling about how a gay person was beaten or killed just because they were looked at as different. Some of these people would end up the target of verbal abuse and maybe even physical abuse, just because some heterosexual people see them as different.
Same sex marriage is a very controversial topic in today’s society. We live in a society filled with ignorance. The ignorance that poisons the minds of people that oppose same sex marriage blinds them from the reality of the “problem”. People argue that same sex marriage should be illegal for reasons that will have no negative impact on their lives. The reality of this topic is that legalizing same sex marriage promotes the increase of adoption, human rights and equality, as well as the separation of the church and state.
Today’s society argues widely the correctness of same-sex marriage. Marriage for many people is believed to be a relationship between two people, preferably man and woman. The LGBT community battles for their right to marry without being denied by the government. The legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States has great importance for the future of marriage equality throughout the LBGT community. Same-sex marriage will not harm the function of society or other marriages in it, as well as being protected by the Constitution, and relieves lifelong discrimination.
Same-sex marriage has been a topic of debate in the United States for decades, and on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that states could not ban same-sex couples from getting married. However, there are still those who believe that marriage is for those of opposite sexes only. According to an article written by Tom Geoghegan, gay marriage is “not the same as heterosexual marriage – the religious and social significance of a gay wedding ceremony simply isn’t the same” (Geo). Although the author makes a reasonable argument, we believe that it is the choice of the individual, and that gays and lesbians are all part of our society, and that we shall allow them the same rights as everyone else. Not only is same-sex marriage protected by our civil rights, but it increases the number of adoptions, which is beneficial to our society.
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.
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.
The legality of gay marriage is a hot topic for many reasons. Traditionally marriage has been known as a legal bond between a man and a woman. Times have changed since those days. More and more people are coming out of the closet everyday. There are more gay people today than there ever have been and that number is only increasing. Marriage is a way for two people to show their commitment towards each other, so it should not matter what their gender or sexual orientation is.