I’ll come right out and say what this blog is about, gay marriage. It’s a very touchy issue nowadays, and though it may not affect me directly, I too definitely have strong feelings about the issue. Just as a preface, this blog won’t involve too many concrete facts or figures, but more ideological arguments, as to why I feel homosexual Americans should have the right to be legally married.
Typing that last sentence, I realized this is a great place to start. Note the oh-so-important qualifier ‘legally’ up there. What churches allow their parishioners to do is completely their decision. What churches allow their parishioners to do also does not affect outside life anyone but the attendees. Marriage, though considered a sacred ritual in many religions, has become a legal term, and entered the realm of governmental oversight. If I recall correctly, this means it applies to everyone in the governance. This inherently (and legally) means that it should apply fairly to all Americans. The debate isn’t over allowing them to marry in churches or buy wedding rings, but to allow them, in the eyes of the State, to be in a binding union. A binding union that yields benefits to those involved. Doesn’t denying them this sound a bit like discrimination?
That because it is. Let’s play a little word game. Consider these few sentences.
Homosexuals should not have the right to marry because I feel it is morally wrong. Marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Don’t forget ‘straight’ is implied to the man and woman. Now let’s change three little things, only descriptors.
Homosexuals Interracial should not have the right to marry because I feel it is morally wrong. Marriage should be between a white man and a white woman.
Wee bit racist? I’d say so. Logically, the first statement is just as so. I still can’t comprehend how people can feel any other way.
Good point, here's the tricky part.
ReplyDeleteTo people that believe homosexuals shouldn't be married, it is as you noted " morally wrong" in their mind.
To people along our ideological lines, it is "morally wrong" to deny homosexuals marriage.
So who's morals are correct? Who's are wrong?
The only way to solve this moral issue is to try to seperate morality from government. There's a reason that when politicians run for office they talk about what's "moral" to them via abortion, gay marriage, taxes.
Everyone has different morals, and I suppose in a democracy the morality that is the majority wins, but in my opinion that's immoral.
We're a lost bunch.
I see exactly what you're saying about it coming down to an ideological battle, but the thing is, one side prohibits a group of people to a luxury (keep in mind marriages fiscal benefits) that is afforded to others quite freely, its usually seen as a problem not completely justifiable.
ReplyDeleteAnd it seems that our country tends to err on the side of personal freedoms in touchy moral issues like this. Morals tend to stray dangerously close to religion in a lot of cases, including this one, and we all know that is kept separate from law.
Morals should be kept out of politics, politics should regard their future actions not their personal opinions on decisive issues. This degradation is another post all together though.
I completely agree with you, I was just trying to present another view.
ReplyDelete