Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Gay marriage legalization essay
Effects of gay parenting on children
Effects of gay parenting on children
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Gay marriage legalization essay
Does homosexuality harm the institution of marriage? YES! The institution of marriage is unique. It is the one institution that binds women and men together to form a family, and this serves broad societal purposes.
“Homosexual activists argue that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue similar to the struggle for racial equality in the 1960s.” (Richie, 2014) This is false. First of all, sexual behavior and race are virtually different realities. A man and a woman wanting to marry may by different in their characteristic: one may be black, the other white; one rich, the other poor; or one tall, the other short. None of these differences are impassable barrier to marriage. The two individuals are still man and woman, and thus the requirements of nature are respected. Same-sex marriage opposes nature. Two individuals of the same sex, no matter what their race, wealth, stature, knowledge or fame, will never be able to marry because of an impassable biological impossibility. (Ritchie, 2014)
The reason why the homosexuality harm the institution of marriage is it is not marriage. What marriage is? Marriage is a union of a man and woman that is oriented toward the good of the mate and the reproduction and education of offspring. Since before recorded history, men and women have united to care for each other and to bring up children. That happens in every culture, no matter where in the world. Marriage is a privilege, not a right. Society can choose to endorse certain types of sexual arrangements and give support in the form of benefits to these arrangement. Marriage was created to allow society to support heterosexual couples in procreation and society can choose not to give the same benefits to same-sex couples. If “marriage” is red...
... middle of paper ...
...tion of marriage? Since it cannot produce children to further the society and break the “rules” of marriage, common sense would tell us that homosexuality is danger to institution of marriage.
References
Debate.org. 2014. Would the right for homosexuals to marry affect straight marriage?. [online] Available at: http://www.debate.org/opinions/would-the-right-for-homosexuals-to-marry-affect-straight-marriage [Accessed: 22 Feb 2014].
Ritchie, T. S. A. 2014. 10 Reasons Why Homosexual “Marriage” is Harmful and Must be Opposed. [online] Available at: http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/homosexuality/10-reasons-why-homosexual-marriage-is-harmful-and-must-be-opposed.html [Accessed: 22 Feb 2014].
Sprlgg, P. 2014. Family Research Council. [online] Available at: http://www.frc.org/issuebrief/the-top-ten-harms-of-same-sex-marriage [Accessed: 22 Feb 2014].
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.
Homosexuality defies the laws of nature, social norms, and has many adverse side effects. Today we live in a society that promotes homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. Many homosexuals that live this lifestyle like to justify their behavior by twisting God’s truth. They make claims like “God is a God of love”, “the bible does not condemn homosexuality”, and “I am not hurting anybody, so it is ok.” God has clearly revealed to us in his Word that homosexuality is an abomination. Leviticus 20: 13 says, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” (ESV). Sin is serious and God’s Word tells us that there are grave consequences for such sin. Homosexuality is not only a sin that is committed against oneself, but is also contrary to God’s divine design of marriage and family. God created holy matrimony to be between one man and one woman and not between the same sex. Right from the beginning God says in Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (ESV). God designed marriage for procreation and tells us to “be fruitful and multiply.” A homosexual couple, on the other hand, is unable to reproduce and have a family. That is only one of the many negative side
Zorn, Eric. "The Top Six Arguments against Gay Marriage (and Why They All Fail).” ChicagoTribune.com. Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
As a United States citizen who was born in the new millennium, I was brought up with the idea that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement was one of the main sources of fuel for the Civil Rights Movements in the mid 1950’s/60’s in the United States. Minority groups have often been mistreated in the United States culminating in movements much like that of the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights movements and now a movement toward equality for the LGBTQIA. In the last few decades a new minority group, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies, and their struggle to attain their right to the pursuit of happiness. This small makes up roughly 4 percent of the US population. Though many say that gay marriage will weaken the moral foundation of our country, it should be legalized, not only because banning it is unconstitutional, but also because strips people of their human rights
Even in heterosexual couples, they can 't help and choose who they fall in love with; It just happens. It 's the same concept with homosexual couples. They can 't choose who they 'll fall in love with, love is just something that happens. It 's unexpected and unpredictable. Who are we to tell two people they can 't complete their love by getting married only because they are a homosexual couple. Gay marriage isn 't hurting anyone else. It 's providing happiness for two people who are in love with each other. After all, that 's what marriage is about; love and care for one
The issue, gay marriage activists argue, is one of equality. Homosexuals are denied the legal rights and privileg... ... middle of paper ... ... vists should take heed from this historical fact, and settle in for the long haul.
Homosexuality is not a 20th century situation but has been in history from the age of ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and even China. The attitude toward homosexuality always has been a variable, depending on the social, cultural and morality, or even the political development (Barnecka et al., 2005). Back in Greek history the concept of relations between two men was seen as the highest form of love, whereas the Judaic view always was against and frowned upon these relations considering it immoral and illegal. However, when the Roman rule was destroyed and the Christians took over Europe, homosexuality was seen as perverse (Woodward, 1997).
Hence, denying same-sex couples the right to be married is unconstitutional. Many homosexual marriages will in fact last longer than marriages between heterosexual couples because it is so much more difficult for them to be married in the first place. In fact, a recent study was completed in Vermont over a three year period of time that proved marriages to be very well grounded for same-sex couples. Homosexual participants were compared with heterosexual participants and the homosexual couples actually reported greater relationship quality, compatibility, intimacy, and lower levels of conflict after being unionized (“Sexual Orientation Across The Lifespan”). Marriage actually made these couples stronger and even stronger than the heterosexual couples in the study....
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.
To come straight to the point, I believe that there is no difference between same sex and traditional marriages regarding validity or moral implications. One could argue that the bond between man and woman is valid, since biologically they are able to have a child. This would go along with scientific theories such as evolution. Yet, man is not an animal. Mankind has elevated himself to a point where we do not rely on instincts, but use our brains in order to survive.
Firstly I will discuss the reasons for marriage equality. I argue marriage equality is in the best interest for family life. Allowing homosexuals to form stable committed relationships through marriage would allow for healthier homosexual relationships. You can’t prevent people from being homosexual however giving those people the right to marry can help them experience greater personal happiness. Studies have suggested that not only does legalizing marriage in an area generally make homosexual individuals in that area happier; it also makes them physically and mentally healthier and saves them money on health care (Hatzenbuehler, O’Cleirigh, Grasso, Mayer, Safren, & Bradford, 20012). I don’t see any compelling reason to take away the joy homosexuals get from marriage, this is one of the many reasons I support marriage equality.
Michaelson, Jay. "Ten Reasons Why Gay Rights Is A Religious Issue." Tikkun 25.4 (2010): 34-70. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
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.
In recent years, same-sex marriage has become a more controversial topic on whether it’s right or wrong. People should not feel coerced to agree with something they believe is wrong; clearly, same-sex marriage is immoral and unnatural. Many complications come with same-sex marriages including financial pressures, social pressures, moral pressures, and health risks.
Denying people to get married is a form of discrimination. People are being treated differently because of their sexual orientation and it is morally wrong. Gay marriage has no effect on heterosexuals. So why are so many heterosexuals against it? The arguments against gay marriage are unreasonable. Some believe that being gay is unnatural or influences children to be gay. Studies show that there is no difference between children raised by same sex or straight couples.