I believe this paper touched on a wide variety of issues that homosexual people face, but the focus pertained to the struggles beginning a family by law. I am heterosexual, however, I feel for them and the trials that they are forced to face. Marriage to between two people is a touchy subject. You may agree with me or not, but I feel that a marriage through the church is not for people of the same sex. That is not because I am opposed to their union, but because in the religious aspect, strictly following the rules, marriage is for a man and woman. I do think that a legal marriage through the state should be allowed.
I know a few individuals that have been raised by homosexual parents, and I think the way a child is brought up has nothing to do with the sex of the parents, but the lessons and ideals they will instill into the child. There are tons of benefits that same sex parents are missing out on by not being recognized as married. If we can differentiate between a marriage by the church and state, then I don’t see a reason they need to miss out on these marital perks.
One of the other aspects is covered in the essay, was the publicity of their family. It really is a shame that they were embarrassed to be recognized as a homosexual couple with children. No group of people should feel that way about themselves. They have every right to exercise their freedoms of being in a loving monogamous relationship, including eating at a sit down restaurant without scrutiny.
I can say that I am glad some legislation has begun to catch up with homosexual needs in the area of parenting children. That is definitely a win for them, but there is still much more to accomplish before they reach the equality both legally and socially of a heterosexual family.
Discussion Questions
What keeps two adults and two children living together, and interacting with adoration for each other, under one roof, from being a family?
Would there be a hierarchy of marriage, or unequal perceptions, between a holy matrimony and union by the state? Would one be a more real marriage than the other?
I think your second question is very interesting. The thought of one marriage being "more right" or on a higher level. I would think that if they were to legalize gay marriages across the board, they would have to make everything equal. Although each marriage would be an equal union, I am sure people would not consider these on the same level.
ReplyDeleteI think that the term marriage should be reserved for the union of two people of opposite sex. But i also think that the legal issues should be equal.
ReplyDeleteInteresting second question...I think it would greatly depend on the individual. For someone who is more religious in nature, undoubtedly the first. On the other hand for another person the importance of being "legally" united may rest more in the recognition of certain rights afforded to couples and therefore a union by the state.
ReplyDeleteChris you made good points in your essay. I agree with most of them, but the question that perplexes me is how gay marriage should be allowed by the state, but not in front of the church. Why is it so different between the church and law? If ever a church opens up to homosexuality, this should not be a concern. I have done some research and found that The Bible says homosexuality is a sin. Everyone is a sinner, so I don’t understand why “one less sin” makes a person different from any other.
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