Same Sex Marriage: a Conflict of Views
Blaine Kinne
Period one
February 14, 2013
English III Honors
Same-Sex Marriage: A Conflict of Views Throughout time marriage equality for same-sex couples has been non-existent. Now, gay rights are at the forefront of political and social reform. Same-sex marriage has recently become a fiercely debated topic; however, only nine states allow same-sex marriage and only a few allow domestic partnerships, because of religion, generational differences, and the general and voting public that still denounce it, marriage equality is a natural right that is being stolen from same-sex couples.
Most religious groups openly denounce and speak out against homosexuality, as well as same-sex marriage. “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). The Bible teaches that being gay, and same-sex marriage, is an abomination and that they should be put to death. Although no Catholic churches actually do this, it teaches impressionable minds that being gay and wanting to marry in wrong to a degree of almost criminal. The Pope who is the head figure of the church gives speeches that still say that being gay is an abomination and that they should not be allowed to marry. In a speech given about family values Pope Benedict XVI stated that “gays are eschewing their God-given gender identities to suit their sexual choices – and destroying the very "essence of the human creature" (Winfield). The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted bless same-sex couples but the church still defines marriage as one man and one woman. However there is one church that accepts and acknowledges the wants of same-sex couples. The United Church of Christ voted to legally recognize same-sex marriage, although because of the autonomous being of the church, each individual congregation is allowed to choose if they want to follow the vote (“Religious
Period one
February 14, 2013
English III Honors
Same-Sex Marriage: A Conflict of Views Throughout time marriage equality for same-sex couples has been non-existent. Now, gay rights are at the forefront of political and social reform. Same-sex marriage has recently become a fiercely debated topic; however, only nine states allow same-sex marriage and only a few allow domestic partnerships, because of religion, generational differences, and the general and voting public that still denounce it, marriage equality is a natural right that is being stolen from same-sex couples.
Most religious groups openly denounce and speak out against homosexuality, as well as same-sex marriage. “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). The Bible teaches that being gay, and same-sex marriage, is an abomination and that they should be put to death. Although no Catholic churches actually do this, it teaches impressionable minds that being gay and wanting to marry in wrong to a degree of almost criminal. The Pope who is the head figure of the church gives speeches that still say that being gay is an abomination and that they should not be allowed to marry. In a speech given about family values Pope Benedict XVI stated that “gays are eschewing their God-given gender identities to suit their sexual choices – and destroying the very "essence of the human creature" (Winfield). The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted bless same-sex couples but the church still defines marriage as one man and one woman. However there is one church that accepts and acknowledges the wants of same-sex couples. The United Church of Christ voted to legally recognize same-sex marriage, although because of the autonomous being of the church, each individual congregation is allowed to choose if they want to follow the vote (“Religious
Cited: "Religious Groups ' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage." The Pew forum on religion and public life. Pew Research Center, 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. Turnball, Lornet. "Gay rights mean different things to different generations of community." The Seattle Times , 27 June 2009. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Winfield, Nicole. "Pope Benedict Takes Anti-Gay Marriage To New Level." HuffPost Religion . The Huffington Post, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. "Generations, Social Issues and Religion." Pew Research Center . PewResearch Center for the People and the Press, 3 Nov. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Almeida, Monica. "California 's Proposition 8 (Same-Sex Marriage)." Times Topics . The New York Times, 7 Feb. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Obama, Barack. "TRANSCRIPT: President Obama 's Inaugural Address." Politics. Fox News, 21 Jan. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. Howard Mintz San Jose Mercury News. "Prop. 8 supporters urge US high court to preserve same-sex marriage ban." McClatchy - Tribune News Service. 22 Jan. 2013 eLibrary. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Jefferson, Thomas. "The Right to Change a Constitution." Amending the Constitution. Famguardian, 16 Aug. 2009. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. "Prop 8 Decision Analysis." HRC Blog. The Human Rights Campaign, 26 May 2009. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. "Justice Elena Kagan Dominated Charles J. Cooper in Prop 8 Oral Arguments." policymic. N.p., 28 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. "What Is the Defense of Marriage Act." The Wall Street Journal . Dow Jones & Company, 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.