There are so many factors that may affect one's view of this topic it becomes easy to see
why it is controversial. To list all of the arguments would be impossible. However, by
focusing on the main topics that both that both defend and disagree with the issue, we
are able to get a brief glance at the enormity that the outcome of a problem like this
carries in our society.
Right from the beginning the bible states that it was not good for man to be alone;
"therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife,
and they shall be one flesh." (God) We can also read about God's discussion of unlawful
marriages: "Thou shalt not lay with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
(God) And to the people who disregarded this, the punishment was written simply; "they
shall be cut off from their among their people." Is it possible to say that these words
that have provided strict guidelines for all these years no longer have any meaning or
promise because we are no longer a people? Or is it right to think that we are adopted
into the family of God and are now apart of His people? Who decides? What if your
family isn't Christian, does the law of God apply to you? (God)
For years and years these were the words that nearly everyone followed. Only people who
were clearly wrong dared to disobey the word of God. It was clearly black and white, and
often times church leaders were looked to for advice on what to do when we are faced with
a choice. After all, they "represent" Him, so they must know right from wrong. So what
do we say to Bishop John Shelby Strong who is quoted as saying, "I regard the blessing of
gay and lesbian couples by the church to be inevitable, right, and of a positive good.
We must be willing to relinquish prejudice and turn our attention to loving our gay and
lesbian brothers and sisters, supporting them, and relating them as part of Gods
creation." And how about the Roman Cardinal Basi Hume? He says that love between
people, whether of the same sex or a different sex, is to be treasured and respected.
"To love another person is to have entered the area of richest human experience." I
think that we are getting mixed messages. (Cahoon)
Now entering the picture is mans interpretation of the law. This view no longer takes
into consideration anything based on Christianity, by simply what has been written by
another person. I believe that the reason for this turn from one written law (the bible)
to another is due to the fact that it is easier to find loop-holes in something that God
had little to do with (but this is only my belief). It is easier to see all the reasons
why one can marry a person of the same sex when you are dealing with a race that wants to
be considered open minded and fair - despite what they may know in their hearts to be
right. In the court case of Loving vs. Virginia, the appellants are fighting for their
civil right to have a (same-sex) marriage. This particular case points out that the
right to marriage occupies an extremely venerated position in our society. marriage
exists as a protected legal institution primarily because of the societal values
associated with the continuation of the human race. (Dirty) Also, it should be apparent
that no same-sex couple offers the possibility of the birth of children by their union.
Many times similar cases involving female/female marriage or male/male marriages are
refused by the courts for this very reason. The state has the authority to refuse to
authorize a same-sex marriage from the impossibility of reproduction rather than from any
discrimination on the account of sex. It is now apparent how the law defined a marriage.
Legally it is considered the union of one man and one woman. This is only because of
the unique physical characteristics of each sex in being able to reproduce. Never the
less, "discrimination!" is screamed inside the walls of the court and the issue of
homosexual marriage moves from a moral to an ethical issue. (Brown)
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