Summary of Opponents' Position:
There are many different reasons that the opponent is against gay marriage. One of those reasons is religious purposes. In the Bible it states that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. So, to religious people that statement rules that there should be no same sex marriages in this country. Another factor against Same sex marriage is the children aspect. "Research" has found that many children succeed and thrive in a home with both a mother and a father. Another factor is the teaching of same sex marriage in schools. Many people are worried that if the law is passed in all 50 states that children will have to be taught about it in school and are therefore more likely to enter into such union themselves. Another factor is tax benefits. Some people are worried that friends will marry friends to gain the tax benefits or tax cuts that a married couple can obtain.
Limitations of Opponents' Position:
Most of the opponents arguments are weak, they argue facts out of the Bible, but if we were living the ways of the Bible in all aspects we would be sacrificing animals and In DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21 it says: "If it is discovered that a bride is not a virgin, the Bible demands that she be executed by stoning immediately." In LEVITICUS 18:19 "The Bible forbids a married couple from having sexual intercourse during a woman's period. If they disobey, both shall be executed." There are many things that are outdated in the Bible, and no longer apply to times today and to the way that we live our lives. There are so many things that we don't follow suit in the Bible that it is ridiculous to hold on to one passage that says that a marriage should be strictly between a woman and a man and not hold on to hundreds of other passages that require us to do equally ridiculous things. You cannot argue that the book is legitimately true and perfect when you don't follow every aspect. Another weak point is the issue on children. Gay couples married or not are adopting children. Saying that they have a lesser chance of being a healthy "male or female" is the equivalent to comparing them to single mothers. It is not based on the sex of the couple but the way the couple raises the children. Many other issues and weak points are found in this topic.
My understanding of the Issue:
Proposition 8 has been an ongoing issue over the last many years. States have passed and unpassed the legalization of same sex marriage. Supporters of the law believe that they are being discriminated against. They fight for equal rights, and for financial security and tax privileges that heterosexual couples have the privilege in partaking.
Reasons why my understanding of the issue is better than my opponents
Our country prides itself for being "free". Freedom of speech, free will, free, free, free. But, on this issue it seems like no one is free. Arguing that the Bible says that it isn't proper for two people of the same sex to be married is like arguing that we shouldn't eat pork anymore because the Bible says not to. Arguing that a gay couple has less of a chance of raising a healthy and well gifted child is automatically stating that all same sex partners are not capable of such things. Where in fact many same sex couples are successful and perfectly capable of providing better homes than most heterosexual couples. There's also the point of a same sex couple taking advantage of the system, but in the same sentence a heterosexual couple could take advantage of the system if they wanted to as well.
Who is the person that gets to say: "Because I believe it is morally incorrect, no marriage is not allowed" that in itself seems to be a hypocritical statement. You are free to do what you would like but you are not free to get married.
Conclusion
We live in a country that is based primarily on freedom. We pride ourselves to be a country that practices freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom, freedom, freedom. It seems as if on this topic freedom is not free.
Sources
Rev. Mel White, co-founder of Soulforce. What the Bible Says And Doesn't Say About Homosexuality. Found (Sept 21,2010)
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-gay-christian
Same Sex Marriages, Civil Unions, & Domestic Partnerships
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment