Legalization of Gay Marriages

Abstract Gay marriage is a legally or socially recognized marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. It first became legal in the U.S. state Massachusetts in 2004 after many debates. Same-sex marriage supporters make several arguments in support of their position. They compare their struggles to the civil rights movement and the fight for women rights. Supports believe they have the right to marry whoever they chose as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody. Some Homosexuals argue that homosexuality is natural since it occurs in the animal world. But this is problematic. It is true that this behavior occurs in the animal kingdom. But, it is also true that we see animals eating their prey alive and even their own young. We see savagery, cruelty, and extreme brutality. Yet, we do not condone such behavior in our own society. They should be consistent and not compare us to animals. We are not animals. We are made in God 's image.

Since the beginning of time homosexuality has been around. Many famous men in history are link to homosexuality and even some of them endorse it. For example, historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Plato, Hadrian, Virgil, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Christopher Marlowe included or were centered upon relationships with people of their own gender. Also, homosexuality was accepted as art and way of life in many civilizations such as Rome and Greece. Same-sex marriage has a short but heated history in the U.S. It first came to national attention in a 1993 Hawaii case, in which judges found that the state 's constitution required a compelling reason not to extend to gay’s equal marriage rights. The ruling prompted Congress to push through the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which prevented homosexual couples from receiving benefits traditionally conferred by marriage. Since then, states have scrambled to define their own stance on the issue, in some cases recognizing civil unions or domestic partnerships. A common question in the debate over gay marriage is: what is the point for gays to marry? Aside from property and legal issues that could, in theory, be solved by other laws, what point are gays trying to make in attempting to get married? Why is it so important to be able to hold up a marriage certificate and say ‘we’re married’ instead of simply saying ‘we’re a couple’ without a certificate? Some advocate that it’s about validation: gay and lesbian marriage is about their relationship being recognized precisely as a marriage. Also, they believe they have the same right to marry like any other couple. Many advocates believe that the Constitution gives them the right to be gay and get married as long as it doesn’t hurt themselves or anybody else. Also, some advocates say that by allowing gay marriage can stimulate the economy. Revenue from gay marriage comes from marriage licenses, higher income taxes (the so-called "marriage penalty"), and decreases in costs for state benefit programs. The Comptroller for New York City found that legalizing gay marriage would bring $142 million to the City’s economy and $184 to the State’s economy over three years. (procon ,2011) However, there have been many arguments against homosexuality and gay marriage. The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman. In the Oct. 15, 1971 decision Baker v. Nelson , the Supreme Court of Minnesota found that "The institution of marriage as a union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within a family, is as old as the book of Genesis.”(procon ,2011) Another argument against gay marriage is the children issue. Gay marriage will lead to more children being raised in same-sex households which are not an optimum environment for raising children because children need both a mother and father. Girls who are raised apart from their fathers are reportedly at higher risk for early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy. Children without a mother are deprived of the emotional security and unique advice that mothers provide. An Apr. 2001 study published in American Sociological Review suggested that children with lesbian or gay parents are more likely to engage in homosexual behavior.

Mother-love and father-love—though equally important—are qualitatively different and produce distinct parent-child attachments. Specifically, it’s the combination of the unconditional-leaning love of a mother and the conditional-leaning love of a father that’s essential to a child’s development. Either of these forms of love without the other can be problematic. Because what a child needs is the complementary balance the two types of parental love and attachment provide. (Hansen, 2004) Only heterosexual parents offer children the opportunity to develop relationships with a parent of the same, as well as the opposite sex. Relationships with both sexes early in life make it easier for a child to relate to both sexes later in life. For a girl, that means she’ll better understand and appropriately interact with the world of men and be more comfortable in the world of women. And for a boy, the converse will hold true. Same-sex marriage definitely isn’t in the best interest of children. (Hansen, 2004) Moreover, another serious problem is the public health catastrophe among homosexual men. Sexual relationships between members of the same sex expose gays, lesbians and bisexuals to extreme risks of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), physical injuries, mental disorders and even a shortened life span. (Diggs, 2002) The consequences of homosexual activity have significantly altered the delivery of medical care to the population at-large. With the increased incidence of STD organisms in unexpected places, simple sore throat is no longer so simple. Doctors must now ask probing questions of their patients or risk making a misdiagnosis. The evaluation of a sore throat must now include questions about oral and anal sex. A case of hemorrhoids is no longer just a surgical problem. We must now inquire as to sexual practice and consider that anal cancer, rectal gonorrhea, or rectal Chlamydia may be secreted in what deceptively appears to be "just hemorrhoids."54 Moreover, data shows that rectal and throat gonorrhea, for example, are without symptoms in 75 percent of cases. (Diggs, 2002) The Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality is very clear and very strong. God says that homosexuality is an “abomination”; that means that God hates, abhors and thoroughly detests homosexual behavior. One of the most greatly debated scriptures regarding homosexuality is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (NIV). Also, In Genesis 19 God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah due to the extensive amount of sin and debauchery going on in the city. Some add homosexuality in with the sins being committed. Others say that it was not just blanket homosexuality being condemned but homosexual rape, meaning it is different from homosexual behavior in loving relationships. Whether or not you believe homosexuality is a sin based upon your interpretations of the scripture, there are some issues surrounding the treatment of homosexuals of which Christians need to be aware. While the Old Testament focused on rules and consequences, the New Testament offers a message of love. There are some Christian homosexuals and there are those that desire deliverance from homosexuality. Rather than trying to be God and pass judgment on those individuals, a better option may be to offer prayers to those struggling with their homosexuality.

The Bible which is God 's word reveals God 's moral character and it shapes the morality of the Christian. The Bible has much to say about homosexuality: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev. 18:22, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper." Rom. 1:26-28. Marriage is a fundamental social institution that does not exist just for the emotional satisfaction of two individuals but for the greater good of the community which stands under the blessing or curse of God. Societies that put emotional fulfillment before right actions and principles will soon give way to a multitude of addictions and deep corruptions and collapse. God will judge any society that institutes same sex marriages. I also believe that God will judge a society that permits adoption of children or the use of sperm banks by same sex couples. His Word stands over society and when it is deliberately flaunted in the name of progress and enlightenment, and then it is not light but deep darkness that results. We cannot bend the principles of God 's Word to suit vocal minority groups. While some nations may enact laws permitting these evils, the true church of God must stand resolutely firm and never allow the sanctioning of same sex marriages by Christian clergy. No church that takes the Bible seriously can sanction a union between homosexuals or lesbians.

References

King James Bible
Homosexuality: The Christian Perspective, Lehman Strauss
Laura Langbein and Mark A. Yost, Jr., "Same-Sex Marriage and Negative Externalities," Social Science Quarterly, June 2009
"American Psychological Association Reiterates Support for Same-sex Marriage," www.apa.org, Aug. 11, 2010
Glen Lavy, "Gay Marriage and the 'Slippery Slope, '" www.latimes.com, May 21, 2008
Love Isn’t Enough: 5 Reasons Why Same-Sex Marriage Will Harm Children by Trayce Hansen, Ph.D. 2004
Dr. John R. Diggs, Jr., "The Health Risks of Gay Sex." Corporate Resource Council (2002).

References: King James Bible Homosexuality: The Christian Perspective, Lehman Strauss Laura Langbein and Mark A. Yost, Jr., "Same-Sex Marriage and Negative Externalities," Social Science Quarterly, June 2009 "American Psychological Association Reiterates Support for Same-sex Marriage," www.apa.org, Aug. 11, 2010 Glen Lavy, "Gay Marriage and the 'Slippery Slope, '" www.latimes.com, May 21, 2008 Love Isn’t Enough: 5 Reasons Why Same-Sex Marriage Will Harm Children by Trayce Hansen, Ph.D. 2004 Dr. John R. Diggs, Jr., "The Health Risks of Gay Sex." Corporate Resource Council (2002).