http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da_qIoB7gCw
There were many articles and videos to choose from on this topic but this relates perfectly to everything we have been discussing. Is prohibiting homosexuals to marry fair? In my opinion it is not and I hold a personal grudge for the government for continuing to ban this right. If all are created equal then why do those with different sexual orientation have to continue to fight for the right to marry. It kind of concerns me that people actually care as much as they do about keeping this law intact. Honestly people, there are bigger issues. Proposition 8 is a bill which passed in November 2008 overruling the right to same sex marriage in California. With so much poverty and crime in the world these people are raising millions of dollars to promote hate.
The government has agreed to this, “civil unions.” Basically a contract stating as far as your economic stance goes (taxes, etc.) you are in this legal bond. To me, it is only fair to allow anyone to celebrate love through marriage. My hope is that one day it will be called marriage and not a contract.
Many use religion as a way to explain their opinion on gay marriage. Why is it ok to quote religious beliefs when you don’t support something?
Are these civil unions fair? And why?
1/21/09
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I think that people tend to quote their religious beliefs when they don't support something as a way of hiding behind their religion. Their prejudice is then justified. I don't believe that religion should be used to explain away your opinions. Especially not in this case. Marriage is a term that is deeply rooted in religion. People, I believe, only accept marriage as a union between a man and a woman because it's "in the Bible". My thing is, isn't there supposed to be a separation between church and state according to the Constitution? If so, then there shouldn't be a difference in the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of those who enter into unions supposedly similar to marriage. An alternative would be to withdraw "marriage rights" all together (but I doubt anyone would agree with that).
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that civil unions are fair. I think that people assume civil unions give the Gay and Lesbian community rights equal to marriage, but that just isn't the case. Civil Unions differ from marriage in many areas: taxes, health insurance, Social Security survivor benefits, immigration, and Veterans' and military benefits (don't ask, don't tell, right?). The most unfair of these differences is mobility; Civil Unions are not honored across state lines. To say Civil Union is the same-sex equivalent of marriage is comparable to agreement with "separate, but equal". On top of that to say that granting same-sex marriage threatens the "institution" is absurd. Mixed-race marriage was also considered a "threat" to the "institution of marriage" until 1967 (and that hasn't been that long ago). The argument has only gone from one against race to one against sexual orientation.
Having been raised Catholic my entire life, I was always taught that marriage was meant to be between a man and woman and no other combination. It is considered morally wrong to marry or even have sexual relations with a person of the same sex. Even though i do still consider myself a Catholic i don't agree with this at all. Everyone should be entitled to the same right, no matter what your sexual orientation is. If we are all created equal then why are certain people being excluded from having these rights? We have much bigger problems in our world today that we could be focusing on instead of gay rights.
ReplyDeleteAs citizens of America we are endowed with the right to Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If every person is entitled these rights and it is said that we are all created equal then why is the happiness of people who don't walk the straight line even a issue. Amanda brings up a good point, with all the crime, economy, and our country being in war i don't think a persons sexual orientation is even comparable. If we can turn away from slavery and come to accept any race or ethnicity in this country, gay marriage should have this same right. In the end the only ones it affects are the couples. And truthfully the couple will be together regardless, why not turn this into a real marriage instead of just a contract.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have been raised Southern Baptist my entire life and one of the biggest sins that you could be was gay. I had this same mindset when I came into college and even until last semester. It was not until I found out that one of my closest friends was actually gay and that he knew could never marry a man because he wanted the legal status as a married couple.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading up on gay marriage and the controversy that surrounds it, I must say that I am still am a little sketchy about the whole gay marriage. I do believe that it should be the state’s right as to whether or not gay marriage can be recognized as legal and binding but I don’t believe that the federal government should get involved on this issue.
One of my colleagues mentioned the separation of church and state but people fail to realize that by the federal government getting involved, there will be no longer be that separation in that the churches will have to abide by the law on moral issues and that is wrong.
Religion is a massive impediment when it comes to same sex marriages. Some people argue that the bible opposes same sex marriages. However, the bible does not directly confront same sex marriages. The bible merely states that homosexuality is a sin.[ Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.] Even though I was raised in a Roman Catholic Church where they despise same sex marriages, I still see no problem with same sex marriages. From a series of bible stories I’ve learned many things; Jesus died for our sins, our original mother and father [Adam and Eve] created sin, Jesus forgives ALL sins, and Jesus loves ALL his children. With that being said, I’ve came to understand that even though same sex marriages may be a sin, God will still forgive those and will still love them no matter what. Only he can judge you!!!
ReplyDeleteMy friends and I were just discussing this issue. I enjoy discussing this issue because I find it important. I’m a Catholic and very involved in my faith. As we all know, Catholics believe that marriage is a sacred vow between a man and a women and that marriage is not only to have a special bond between the two, but to also reproduce. I definitely agree with this statement but I also believe that when someone loves another person deeply, why should it matter what sex you are? God is not going to think that 2 people of the same gender are bad people or “sinned’ because they fell in love and shared His love. I feel God will accept you for who you are and love you no matter what. It isn’t our place to judge. To be honest, I think one day people will come around and agree but different religions are traditional and are not ready to accept gay marriage yet. I have hope that one day it will be different.
ReplyDeleteIn this debate stating religion is perfectly logical. All Christians and Jews believe what is written in the Old Testament of the Bible. In the Bible, it states clearly a marriage union should exist between a man and a woman. So, that alone clearly states some peoples’ belief on the issue. If you said why I do not cheat on my girlfriend, I would give you the same answer as to the gay marriage issue. It’s against what I believe in, and I believe it’s wrong. This is a fine answer because a lot people are defined by their religion and take religion very seriously. Yes, I agree with you that there are much bigger fish to fry in the grand scheme of things, but many people go into a voting booth and cast their vote solely on these types of moral issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, death penalty, euthanasia). So, I guess in that sense I do disagree at the same time because any issue that can sway an election is a big issue to an extent.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Catholic, and raised as one my entire life, I have been taught that marriage is a sacred bond between man and woman. Now, just because I have been taught this, and it's a belief of my religion, does not mean that I have to support it. In my opinion, God made us to love, not to hate. Maybe we were made to have that sacred bond with the opposite sex, but you can't help who you are attracted to and who you fall in love with. I don't think God would want to punish anyone who is looking to live the rest of their life with the love of their life if it happens to be someone of the same sex. And I don't think that civil unions are fair. I understand that many people don't want homosexuals to get married because they don't want their children to be exposed, or whatever the reason. But, with or without an actual marriage, there are many gay couples and they aren't going anywhere. They are are still going to be together whether they are married or not. So if these civil unions aren't even preventing homosexual couples, why even have them? They should be able to have an actual marriage just like any heterosexual couple, and grow old together with that sacred bond.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video and reading through others posts, there was one thing that I totally agreed with and that was that people should not use their religion in order to make the decision on this matter. Most people approach this subject based on what their peers, Families, and television has displayed Homosexuals as. I think that people just need to take a step back and look at the picture. I agree with what some other people said having to do with a lot bigger issues going on right now, other than this and too many resources are being aimed toward it. Think about it, what harm are they really doing?
ReplyDeleteI think of this issue, as being treated like a taboo, something out of the ordinary, therefore we assume its wrong.
I don't think people should be quoting their religious beliefs as an opposition to gay marriage. In fact, I think it is the biggest cop-out for someone that doesn't have any real reason for their conflict with gay marriage. It is almost as if they are saying, "My mom told me this so I'm sticking with it." Religion has ablsolutely nothing to do with the issue of gay marriage. Also, I don't think civil unions are just. Everyone should be able to have the benefits of marriage if that is what they want and should not be lowered to another standard made up by the government.
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