Traditional Marriage

Traditional Marriage

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PHI03: Informal Logic
Teacher’s name here
May 12, 2014

Marriage is defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as: the relationship that exists between and husband and a wife, a similar relationship between people of the same sex or a ceremony in which two people are married to each other. In 2003, the definition of marriage was changed by Merriam-Webster, to recognize the same sex unions. There has been an ongoing heated debate for the past several years on the subject of marriage. Many wish to keep marriage traditional; with a man and a woman. Others would like the government to acknowledge same-sex marriages. The United States Supreme Court has been involved in this fight. Both sides claim that either way that the decision ends up will be a violation of their civil rights. By not allowing same-sex marriages to take place, they feel they are not being treated equally. By allowing same-sex marriages to be legal, those who oppose redefining marriage say that it will open up the door to legalizing other types of marriage that are detrimental to society, such as polygamy. Both sides have their good points and bad points, but the question remains: Will the government make a huge mistake and recognizes same-sex relationships as marriages and force everyone to accept this as well? Marriage is a relationship that is rooted in human nature. It has always been a covenant between a man and a woman. It exists to bring men and women together to procreate. Reproduction is a biological process and it requires a man and a woman to create offspring. According to the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), children who grow up in families with their married, biological parents are better off in a so many ways than children who grow up in divorced families, single parent homes, unwed parents and same-sex couple families. Children who grow up with their married, biological parents are more likely to achieve higher levels of education, is less likely to become a teen parent or experience behavior and mental health problems. The children mainly thrive because of the stability and loving attention from both biological parents. If traditional marriage is changed it will validate and promote the homosexual lifestyle and impose its acceptance on all society. By legalizing same-sex marriage, the State becomes its official and active promoter. Not only will we be forced to accept same-sex marriage, but the whole homosexual lifestyle and all its bisexual and transgender variants. The State would call on public officials to officiate civil ceremonies, order public schools to teach its acceptability to children, and it can punish any state employee who expresses disapproval. For those who object, they will begin to see their children exposed more than before to this new way of life. By teaching same-sex marriages in school, the subject will be pushed onto children and in a sense, it would seem that they would be given a push in that direction. Businesses will offer wedding services and we will be forced to provide the same services to same-sex unions as we do for heterosexual unions. Homeowners who rent their property will have to agree to accept the same-sex couples as tenants. For those individuals who are against same-sex marriages, they will be expected to accept what they believe in and stay silent about it because if they voice their opinion, they may be condemned for it. Same-sex marriages offends religion. Anyone who professes to love God must be opposed to same-sex marriage because it is a sin to violate the natural moral order established by God. Marriage was established by God for our first parents, Adam and Eve. God wanted Adam and Eve to be fertile and multiply. Pope Francis stressed the importance of a marriage between a man and a woman calling the unity “one flesh” and “icons of God’s love.” While each religion has different beliefs, their teachings, rituals, traditions and ministries are aimed at upholding the time-honored institution that benefits children, families and society. This deductive argument is valid because all of the premises can be true and since they can be true, the conclusion must be true. The deductive argument is also sound because since all of the premises are true and it is valid. The argument itself has listed reasons on why traditional marriage should remain between a man and a woman. There is a fallacy that was used in one of the premises. The slippery slope argument suggests that if traditional marriage is changed it could promote a homosexual lifestyle that could lead to bisexual and transgender variants. The premises offer good reasons to support the issue, therefore the government should uphold these laws and respect the constitutional authority of citizens and their elected officials to make marriage policy. Proponents of same-sex marriages argue that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgement that heterosexual couples experience. They further believe that by prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination. Will the government recognize same-sex relationships as marriages and grant equal rights to gays? Many benefits are available only to married couples. Some of those benefits include health benefits, next of kin benefits, inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, decision making in the event of an emergency and protection in the event of a divorce. Same sex couples want those same benefits. If same-sex couples are in a relationship and cohabitating as married couples do, they should be entitled to the same benefit as a traditional married couple. If only one person in the relationship is working and has health care benefits, they would not be able to provide those health benefits for their partner. If that partner were to become ill, there would not be any health care for the partner. If same-sex marriage is acknowledged, the partner would be allowed those benefits. If same-sex marriage is allowed, it will promote education for a homosexual lifestyle. Education is a good thing. There are many children who suffer because they are afraid of their homosexual feelings because of the lack of homosexual education. There are children who are bullied because they may be different. This bullying can also lead to death by suicide. By allowing homosexual education in schools, this could reduce the bullying by showing other children this lifestyle is accepted, not strange. Allowing same-sex marriage could lead to population control by not procreating. The world’s population has multiplied more rapidly than ever before and it is projected to grow more rapidly in the future. In 2005 the world had 6.5 billion people. By 2050 this number could rise to more than 9 billion. If marriage equality is accepted this could help slow down the rapid growth in our population. The same arguments for traditional and same-sex marriage can be used, but in a different direction. They both make good points, but people on both sides feel very strongly about what their beliefs are. Same-sex marriage will not hurt anyone, but not granting marriage equality could harm couples who wish to marry in the event of an emergency, therefore the government should recognize same-sex relationships as marriage.

References http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/563728.aspx http://www.census.gov/topics/population/about.html http://www.clasp.org/resources-and-publications/states/0086.pdf http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2013/03/20/in-defense-of-traditional-marriage http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/03/18/gay-marriage-recognized-in-webster-dictionary/ http://www.merriam-webster.com/ http://www.religionnews.com/2014/04/02/pope-francis-calls-traditional-marriage-icon-gods-love/

References: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/563728.aspx http://www.census.gov/topics/population/about.html http://www.clasp.org/resources-and-publications/states/0086.pdf http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2013/03/20/in-defense-of-traditional-marriage http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/03/18/gay-marriage-recognized-in-webster-dictionary/ http://www.merriam-webster.com/ http://www.religionnews.com/2014/04/02/pope-francis-calls-traditional-marriage-icon-gods-love/