Same-Sex Marriage: Church vs. State

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Same-sex marriage is a debated subject throughout the Church, as well as the state. There are two different sides surrounding this debate; one side dealing with a religious view and the other with the state (Constitution). In the United States, laws dealing with marriage are ratified by each state, not by the federal government as a whole. Yet, marriage is viewed differently through the eyes of religion. Each religion has its own views about same-sex marriage. For example, the Roman Catholic Church undeniably opposes same-sex marriage; Pope Francis said, “Marriage is between a man and a woman.” Yet he continues by saying, "We have to look at different cases and evaluate them in their variety" (Burke). The Church under no circumstance condones same-sex marriage, however Pope Francis does not say that the people contributing to this lifestyle will go to hell. The answer to this debate is to legalize same-sex marriage under the Constitution, yet not be accepted by the Roman Catholic Church. In other words, have the government legalize same-sex marriage, since there is no purpose or religious affiliation not to, but have the Church remain against it, as it always has been. The first laws that were passed enabling same-sex couples to marry began in the early 21st century. The first state within the United States to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts. After a ruling in a case named Goodridge vs. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Constitution found that allowing only couples of the opposite sex to marry was unconstitutional. In 1970, another keen case named Baker vs. Nelson occurred. In this particular incident, two students from the University of Minnesota, Richard John Baker and James Michael Mc... ... middle of paper ... ...Questia School. 2 Print. 2014. "Gay Marriage Timeline - Gay Marriage - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014 Martin, Dale B., eds. Authorizing Marriage? : Canon, Tradition, and Critique in the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2006. Questia School. Print. 2 Feb. 2014. Ritchie, John. "10 Reasons Why Homosexual “Marriage” is Harmful and Must be Opposed." TFP Student Action. n.p., n.d. Web. May 14th, 2013. “Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?" Gay Marriage ProCon Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014. "U.S. Bishops Urge National Catholic Support for Federal Marriage Amendment." Catholic News Agency. N.p., 4 Apr. 2006. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Wardle, Lynn D. "The Movement To Substitute Generic Adult Intimate "Relationships" For "Marriage”." Marriage and Same-sex Unions: A Debate. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. 195. Print.

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