Gay Marriage

Name teacher class date Same Sex Marriage: Different Strokes for Different Folks.
There are a few types of families in Christian countries nowadays. All marriages belong to one of the four following types: 1. Living together of heterosexual and homosexual couples: These are common-law co-habiting arrangements of informal kind, which can sometimes be officially registered. Nevertheless, certain amount of these choose to never marry; 2. Heterosexual marriages conducted by a man and a woman, formal and registered with the government. Many of these are performed in a church, mosque, synagogue, etc. Civil ceremonies may also be held; 3. Marriages, involving one man and a number of women. This was traditionally practiced among Mormons, but was phased out during the nineteenth century. Today, this kind of marriage seems to be confined to small Fundamentalist Mormon groups, rejected by major religious formations. Religious freedom legislature gives a degree of legality to those committing this kind of marriages throughout the Canada and the UK. “Some researches say tens of thousands of polygynous couples live in the USA, their illegal marriages being largely ignored by police.” (Robinson) Mormon theology states that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained by God. As a result, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not recognize same-sex marriages. 4. Same-sex marriages. As for 2012, same-sex couples are allowed to marry in “Argentina, Belgium, Iceland, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden.” (Wiki) In the USA--Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California also allow those. These unions receive all of the advantages of marriages that been restricted to traditional couples in the past. Residents of Israel may get married elsewhere, then returning to Israel and having their marriages registered.
Around the world, countries are coming to terms with the attitude to homosexual marriages. The global trend is toward liberalizing laws. It is highly important to review and analyze the year-to-year evolution of the political and social aspects of same sex marriages issue. In Denmark, civil unions with the equal rights as marriage appeared as early as in 1989, spreading throughout other Nordic countries in the 1990s. The Dutch were the first to strike the traditional vision of marriage laws, eliminating the distinctions between gay and straight. The first-ever same-sex marriage was conducted there on April 1, 2001. This later triggered a vast movement, reaching global level. The timeline of major world developments is as follows: February 2005, Canada: a bill, allowing all loving committed couples to marry was introduced to the federal Parliament. It amended about seventy pieces of legislation, replacing terms "husband" and "wife" with terms like "spouse", which are gender-neutral. Canada became the fourth country to legalize same sex marriages. December 2005, the UK: a new civil law came into effect, giving same-sex couples all of the rights of traditional married couples. August 2006, South Africa: The Supreme Court of Appeal had acknowledged same sex marriages legal. This decision was later unanimously confirmed by the highest legislative body-the Constitutional Court. Nevertheless in most countries of Africa, homosexuality is illegal and same sex marriage is unthinkable. November 2006, Israel: The High Court of Justice conducted a decision to recognize same-sex marriages made elsewhere. This was believed to cause massive outrage. Israel was the seventh country to recognize same sex marriages. February 2008, New York: An appellate court in New York state unanimously ruled to fully recognize same-sex marriages legally solemnized elsewhere. California, Connecticut Iowa and Oregon recognized same sex marriages the same year. November 2008, Sweden: the Parliament considers a new "gender neutral" marriage law that would allow marriages by same-sex couples. Hungary also passed the legislation of this kind in 2008. In the USA, the states Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia legally recognized same sex marriages between January and December 2009. In June 2009 Irish government published The Civil Partnership Bill, which gave same sex couples the opportunity to register their relationships. The couples also gained certain rights connected with succession, protection of a home that a couple shares, and separation-related rights. Austria, Mexico, and Venezuela also passed same sex civil legislature by the end of 2009. The next was Portugal, where the first same sex marriage was conducted in June 2010, only a few days after Pope Benedict XVI left Portugal and returned to the Vatican. Until recent years homosexuality was considered a mental illness in Japan. Even after this mindset was eliminated, many gays still experience pressure. Nevertheless, Japan is in this matter more progressive than most of Asian countries.
It is also interesting to note the attitude of different ideologies and religions to the issue. In Buddhism there is no universal position on the matter of same-sex marriage. According to certain interpretations of the Buddha 's teachings, "sexual misconduct" is among one of the 10 non-virtuous deeds that lead to suffering. Generally, this term referred to adultery. However, by some Buddhists the term is interpreted to include homosexuality. Among Jewish beliefs differ about homosexuality. Not the religion itself is primal, but the mindset of certain groups is. It may vary from the most conservative to the most liberal; the so called Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements support the rights to same-sex marriage unlike the Conservative movement, which does not sanctify this kind of marriage. Orthodox Judaism does not accept same-sex marriage. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes same-sex marriage, arguing that "marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman." In 2003, the conference stated that "what are called 'homosexual unions ' cannot be given the status of marriage for they do not express full human complementarities." Previously stated support for a federal marriage amendment (a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman) was reaffirmed in 2006. (Religious Groups ' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage). Unlike Islam, which forbids homosexuality as a crime, Hinduism has no official position on same-sex marriage. The practice of homosexuality is condemned by some Hindus, while others cite ancient Hindu texts describing homosexual behavior, such as the Kama Sutra. As well as religions, various secular belief systems regard human sexuality as a source of sin. Many of them consider sex to be immoral, and teach that sexual behavior is to be restricted to monogamous, committed couples. Some insist that sexual activity should be only committed within a traditional marriage. But as we see, faith groups differ much in their opinions about homosexuality. Some teach that the same rules apply to absolutely everyone-that sexual activity is not sinful if only it is consensual, non-manipulative, and conducted within a married relationship. Others teach that homosexuality is an abnormal and unnatural behavior. It is always seen as sinful, with no regard to the nature of the relationship between the participants-be it a one-time or a lasting and committed relationship.
People nowadays realize the positive changes, brought by the same sex marriage trend. These changes seem to be essential for the new understanding of human rights, freedom and democracy. Former USA Vice-President Dick Cheney expressed his attitude to the issue: "Freedom means freedom for everyone. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish." (quoted in Robinson) In a letter from a Birmingham jail Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote "An unjust law is (one that a) majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself." (religioustolerance.org) Many stress the aspect of freedom and equality within the issue of same sex marriages. Denying marriage to these couples removes from them group a fundamental human right - the right to marry the person whom one has made a commitment. That is considered by many to be unfair and unjust in the matters of democracy. The supporters of same sex marriages reason that same-sex couples equally deserve the dignity and respect, contained within the institute of marriage. Denying the right to marry also may have many emotional and financial consequences. Among them are: property inheritance, Medicare, Social Security, medical leave, and ability to make medical decisions in case their spouse is incapacitated, etc. Denying same sex marriages may also be seen as form of minority discrimination. The protection of the rights of minorities is among the key aspects of modern vision of freedom and democracy; these aspects show the level of society’s development. Thus, denying committing a marriage to a homosexual couple is no different than denying it to African American or Hispanic or couples. There is also a perception, that same sex marriages does not hurt society in general or anyone in particular. A marriage is a relationship between two people, thus it should do no harm to those not involved in the marriage. This commitment is personal and private. Society, as many supporters say, should not dictate the two people what they can or can not do in case no one else is hurt. The denial by the church is often neglected. The number of child adoptions is also said to increase, for gay couples cannot pro-create. However this factor may also be used as an argument against same sex marriages. Same sex marriage may fuel the desire for a creating a family as well as any heterosexual couple relationship. Some believe a child reared in a same-sex marriage does not develop ideally.
The economic environment nowadays often makes two incomes necessary to make the living. A married couple shares all the expenses, which are often too difficult for one person to take alone. A married couple can financially support each other; in case a spouse is out of work, the other can take up the bills until the unemployed person gets back. All this applies a responsibility and encourages people to have strong family values. The couples give up risky sexual lifestyles. Married people commit themselves to one partner, working together to build a life. Is that not the type of behavior the society needs to be prosperous?
The first argument against same sex marriages is the religion. Most of them consider homosexuality to be a sin. The modern legal system evolved out of the Christian law, contained in the Bible. One must not ignore the fact that same-sex “marriage” violates the deeply-held beliefs of millions of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim citizens whose opposition to same-sex “marriage” is founded on central tenets of their faith. Same sex marriages are often said to undermine these laws and weaken the respect for the institution of marriage itself. Westminster Confession of Faith claims: "Marriage is a union between one man and one woman, designed of God to last so long as they both shall live." (Westminster Confession of Faith) In modern world the institution of marriage is already weak, experiencing 50 percent divorce rate. A law allowing gay marriage would further increase the number of weak or unviable marriages, such as a couple who attempt to save on taxes. Marriage is considered as sacred institution in all countries around the world, and every society sees as the union of a man and a woman. This makes biological sense as pro-create is only possible by a man and a woman. The recognition of same sex marriages would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society. The gay lifestyle is not something to be encouraged, as a many research shows it leads to a drop in life expectancy, certain psychological disorders, and numerous other problems. Some studies show that homosexuals may have life expectancies of approximately twenty years less than the average. Homosexuality is often equaled to smoking or alcohol abuse. This kind of behavior may erode the society. Pope John Paul II called same sex marriages “a new ideology of evil, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man.” (quoted in Robinson) The idea that same sex marriages are equal to traditional marriages is sometimes called a “myth”. The argument is that homosexual unions much shorter lifespan and apply health risks connected with homosexual practice. Homosexuality is considered to be dangerous and destructive for the human body. HIV and HPV are epidemic spreading among homosexual men. There is also a difference between a family created and sanctioned by society when a man and a woman commit to each other and form a new cohesive unit, and a couple of people who live together to form a household. Shari Rendall, director of legislation and policy for Concerned Women for America claimed:
"Marriage between one man and one woman is critical to maintaining social stability. Society as a whole pays a high price when marriage is devalued. You see divorce; you see single-parenting; you see a rise in out-of-wedlock pregnancies." (CWA) Many conservative researchers have claimed that children thrive best when reared in a home with a married mother and father. Boys and girls have diverse needs that are uniquely met by the two parents of the opposite gender. The role of marriage in modern society is an important topic taught in numerous public schools. If same sex marriage is legalized, schools would be obligated to teach that same-sex marriage is equivalent to a traditional marriage, starting as early as in Kindergarten. That is considered to would violate the beliefs of many parents. Same-sex marriage issue has been near to the top of the most intense political, social and religious controversies for the last decade. It is complex and diverse, not readily amenable to any compromise. After all, a country is to either allow same sex marriages or ban them. At any rate, change of any kind will be distressing to substantial groups of population.
Bibliography

Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics. The Westminster Confession of Faith. Available at: http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/

Concerned Women for America. CWA site. March 2011. Web. Accessed April 1, 2011.
Cosgrove, Bootie. Mather the Global View of Gay Marriage. March 4, 2004. Web. Available at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/world/main604084.shtml

Religious Groups ' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage. Web. July 27, 2010. Available from: http://pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Religious-Groups-Official-Positions-on-Same-Sex-Marriage.aspx
Robinson, Beth. Same-sex Marriages (SSM), Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships 2009-May-2010. Web. Available at:http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm
Smith Alison M. CRS Report for Congress: Same-Sex Marriages Updated September 24, 2004. [Data file] Retrieved from: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/RL31994.pdf
Shaw, Janice. Five Myths about Same Sex “Marriage”. Available at: http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=18578&department=BLI&categoryid=commentary&subcategoryid=blifam
Wikipedia article Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage

Bibliography: Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics. The Westminster Confession of Faith. Available at: http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ Concerned Women for America. CWA site. March 2011. Web. Accessed April 1, 2011. Cosgrove, Bootie. Mather the Global View of Gay Marriage. March 4, 2004. Web. Available at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/world/main604084.shtml Religious Groups ' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage. Web. July 27, 2010. Available from: http://pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Religious-Groups-Official-Positions-on-Same-Sex-Marriage.aspx Robinson, Beth. Same-sex Marriages (SSM), Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships 2009-May-2010. Web. Available at:http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm Smith Alison M. CRS Report for Congress: Same-Sex Marriages Updated September 24, 2004. [Data file] Retrieved from: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/RL31994.pdf Shaw, Janice. Five Myths about Same Sex “Marriage”. Available at: http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=18578&department=BLI&categoryid=commentary&subcategoryid=blifam Wikipedia article Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage