Homosexuality and Gay Marriage - Research Paper Example

Marriage is a legally recognized union between one man and one woman in which they become husband and wife, other dictionaries use the term spouses, this also; however, refer to people of the opposite sex. However, despite universal recognition of this definition, in the last few decades, several countries and states have allowed such unions between members of the same sex in which they even adopt children (Lithwick). This flies in the face of every moral and convectional reasoning known to man, not to mention religious beliefs because the main religious beliefs today Christianity and Islam are unequivocally opposed to same sex unions (Stammer). Nonetheless, it is undeniable that gay marriages have become a part of the modern society and their prohibition, there is still people practicing homosexuality and the definition of marriage seemingly comprises people instead of man and woman (John, et al 2). In a worrying trend, more people are jumping into the bandwagon and acquiescing to same sex marriage mostly due to the misinformed notion that by outlawing gay marriage governments effectively show they can take away people’s rights. However, it is worth noting that continued embracing of these unions both legally and eclectically is in the long term bound to have the effect of undermining the value of marriage. This paper will present and defend the arguments against gay marriage and criticize some of the arguments for it in an attempt to contest the validity of same sex unions. The bible presents the basis of reasoning in the Judaic and Christian respect; consider the story of creation, initially God created Adam a sexually undifferentiated entity then from him produced two differentiated entities man and woman. Considering this was the only resulting different between Eve and Adam, then it goes without saying that to reconstitute the sexual whole, erotic intimacy achieved in the process of heterosexual coitus will be required. In this respect, homosexual intimacy cannot constitute marriage since it will be devoid of the sexual compatibility and complementariness that would characteristic of opposite sex unions; thus, is in contradiction to the original order of nature (Robert). This biblical scripture further condemn the actions in a more overt way both in the new and Old Testament, in Corinthians Paul condemns “men who lie with males” and classifies them among other diabolic individual unlikely to have a stake in the heavenly empire. Islamic faith also condemns the practice and evidence of this can be seen in the Quran where the prophet stipulates that if a “man mounts a man” both of them should be put to death. Even today, some countries follow this literary in Mashadad in the year 2005; two gay boys were hanged after being flogged that they were 16 years old notwithstanding (Liddle). Naturally the sentence cannot be carried out today because the liberal and human right changes; nonetheless, they key point in is that the two leading world religions have condemned the practice in retrospect. Several factions in the Christian faith are allowing it, but it involves a radical change in the doctrines, which are changed to accommodate homosexuality. This poses future risks since it appears in future the doctrines will end up being changed to accommodate mankind’s immorality; making religion nothing more than a rubber stamp for modern immorality. The term gay marriage in itself is an oxymoron; the fact that it is called marriage does not make it so any more than calling white black would change it. According to the earlier provided description, marriage is a union between members of the opposite sex; ergo gay marriage cannot be rightly referred to s marriage in any sense of the word. It constitutes a denial of the fundamental defenses between the sexes be they physiological, or biological as well as impending one of the primary purposes of marriage which is to have children, a biological impossibly for same sex couples. Proponents of gay marriage often argue that same sex parenting has no effect on children and in some instances; they may even be better off. However, this argument holds no merit especially the second part in the face of current and retrospective objective research studies on the subject. In addition, this is to common sense backed by research that children brought up by both parents are likely to fare better than single parents are. Gay couples have recorder more instances of violence and other abusive actions on each other and their children a well, as such it is clear that children brought up in a gay home have it worse off than their counterparts in straight homes. Fist hand evidence to support this claims can be found in the book “Out From Under” by Dawn Stefanowicz. The writer was brought up by a gay dad who; however, masqueraded as monogamous. His life was filled with control issues, sexual compulsions, as well as unpredictable instances of violent sexual behavior. Furthermore, legalizing of gay marriage would involve having adoption agencies put children in experimental situations since in all fairness, none knows how much damage children can meet in a same sex marriages. Considering the higher propensity for promiscuity, violence, alcohol and drug abuse in same sex relationships, it is self-evident that allowing such couples to marry and adopt children will be setting them up for an uncertain existence (McKenryJulianne 233). Secondly, while for many being gay is a personal choice, there are others who turned gay because of abuse form their parents as children and as such, they were unable to relate to members of the opposite sex. While this is regrettable, one must consider that their retrospective mistreatment may be reflecting on their adopted children in the long run. Same sex marriages ignore a child’s interest to be raised in a home with both a father and mother because every child has both of these parents at some points with the exceptions of those who have lost one or both parents (Blankenhorn). Children who are brought up by single parents in foster homes of orphanages suffer a plethora of problems, for many children in same sex marriages, such situations become the norm exposing them to inimitable psychological problems. Furthermore, same sex marriage will necessitate that children live with at least one parent who is not a blood relation, and in some cases both, that way they will be denied of a male or female role model as the case may be. Furthermore, argument against bringing up children in same sex marriages is the treatment they may receive form their colleagues and schoolmates (Lobaugh 189). While everyone is encouraged to respect the sexuality of others under the law, freedom of expression is also guaranteed; take a case of children whose parents are radically anti-gay and use sentiment such as evil and immoral to describe gay unions. In school, these children will likely use the same on a child adopted by gay parents, such treatment may mess up a child and cause them to feel left out it can also result in have low self-esteem. They may feel unclean, resulting to a myriad of psychosocial problems, as well as propensity for violence drug abuse, sexual immorality and even suicide. Homosexuality is also an attempt to unite two opposed halves in unconventional union. In essence, any man and a woman may be different in more than one way, one could be tall the other short, black, white, poor rich and other such distinctions. Notably, all these can be surmounted since priority man and woman are two opposite side of the same coin. However, if they are both of the same sex, this is a biologically insurmountable difference unless, of course, one of the parents undergoes a sex change. In addition, this is to the fact that, same sex marriages especially between men will likely increase the relevance of HIV AIDS transmission since sodomy, transfers HIV more easily than vaginal sex (Muhlestein 8). Legalizing same sex marriage is tantamount to forcing it on society; this is because should it be made legal the state would become an official and active promoter. Children in public schools would have to be taught about its acceptability with penalties being leveled against any official or teacher who desists from this (Halstead 131). These Christians, Muslims and indeed anyone who holds contrary views will force to betray their conscience in silence or non-action to tolerate the behavior even if they feel it is immoral (DeLaet 297). This culminates to an attack on the natural order of human, personal and Christian morality. Universally allowing gay unions will set precedence for a host of other immoral activities that have been happening illegally, and in contravention of most of humanitys laws. Such include, bestiality, incest and even necrophilia, such radical changes will be effective pushing humanity towards unprecedented levels of moral decadence. Thus, the line between what constitutes freedom and what is immoral will continue to be blurred with time until the difference is no longer apparent leaving a world wrought with immorality. Despite the many arguments against gay marriages, the pro pay activist have come up with, many of ways of trying to justify the practice and to advocate for same sex marriages. One of the arguments is that homosexuality has been in practice for centuries and covertly tolerated albeit opposed consistently in the open. Nonetheless, it is still present today probably more than ever before in spite of all this opposition. This is a fair argument, since despite the opposition, gay marriages are closer now to gaining universal acceptance than ever before, however this argument cannot be used as sufficient grounds for supporting them. The fact that it is widely practiced does not make it any less immoral than it was when it was first opposed. If such an argument was to be followed to its logical conclusion, then other vices such as child porn and slavery might as well be in the run for legalization since they have been increasing in frequency. Thus, this is more of a statement in recognition of humanities increasing propensity for immorality than an argument in favor of gay marriage. In addition, another popular argument for gay marriage is that in outlawing it, the government is denying gay people their freedom of interaction and socialization. It has been argued, and this has made many straight people support gay rights, that by denying their rights everyone else is allowing denying them protection which is part of their civil rights (Schmidt). However, making the issue of the same sex marriage is not just an issue of rights; in fact, the moral aspect of it is trivialized when it is placed alongside rights. This is a logical fallacy amounting to arguing that, same sex marriage equal to the ultimate expression of one’s right, in that case, refusing these marriages is equated to denying people their rights. Clearly, this is the fallacy of false cause since it makes the public support gay marriage under the misconception that they are standing up for their rights, in reality the pro-gay activists just use rights as a ploy to get heterosexual Americans stand behind homosexuality. In conclusion, it is evident, beyond any reasonable doubt that gay marriage does not, neither should it be given a place in our society. It is in direct contradiction to the moral dictates of most religions especially Christianity which are forced to edit their doctrines against the scriptures to accommodate it. Besides, it is expressly forbidden in most Muslim countries with stiff penalties, including death by execution levied to those who engage in it. Its effect on children have been found to be highly detrimental and children brought up by same sex parents are exposed to a plethora of psychological, and social problems resulting from exposure to violence and convoluted unnatural sexual preferences. Furthermore, they face discrimination and stigma from their schoolmate’s teachers and sometimes even the society in general. Same sex marriages amount to attempting to unite two elements that are essentially incompatible and set precedence for the legalization of myriad or immoral acts such as incest and bestiality. Ultimately, despite the arguments presented in support for these marriages, it stands self-evident in the face of opposing arguments and the logic as well as moral persuasion behind them that gay same sex marriages are not the way to go. Indeed, should they ever gain universal acceptance, society will gradually deteriorate morally and future generations will come into an immoral and unnatural world. Works Cited Delaet, Debra L., and Rachel Paine Caufield. "Gay Marriage as a Religious Right: Reframing the Legal Debate Over Gay Marriage in the United States" Polity 40.3 (2008): 297. Print. John, E. Goldingay, et al. "Same-Sex Marriage and Anglican Theology: A View from the Traditionalists." Anglican Theological Review 93.1 (2011): 1-50. Print. Blankenhorn, David. "Protecting Marriage to Protect Children; the Rights and Needs of Kids are being Lost in the Debate Over Gay Rights and Prop. 8." Los Angeles Times: A.27. Los Angeles Times; National Newspapers Core. Print. McKenryJulianne, Patrick C. "Perpetration of Gay and Lesbian Partner Violence: A Disempowerment Perspective." Journal of Family Violence 21.4 (2006): 233-43. Print. Muhlestein, Randolph G. "The Case Against Same-Sex Marriage." Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 40.3 (2007): 1, 39, 212. Print. Halstead, J. M. "Teaching about Homosexuality: A Response to John Beck." Cambridge Journal of Education 29.1 (1999): 131-6. Print. Robert A. J. Gagnon. Why “Gay Marriage” Is Wrong. Presbyterians Today.2004. Print. Liddle, R. (2008, Mar 29). I know why the government wants to send homosexuals back to Iran to be hanged. The Spectator. Print. Lithwick, Dahlia. "Why Courts are Adopting Gay Parenting." The Washington Post: 0. Los Angeles Times; National Newspapers Core; The Washington Post. Print. Stammer, Larry B. "Anglicans Decry Homosexuality, Back Abstinence." Los Angeles Times: 1. Los Angeles Times; National Newspapers Core; Western Newsstand. Aug 06 1998. Print. Lobaugh, Edward R., et al. "Gay-Male Couples Who Adopt: Challenging Historical and Contemporary Social Trends Toward Becoming a Family." Perspectives in psychiatric care 42.3 (2006): 184-95. Print. Schmitz, Dawn. "Lesbian and Gay Lobbyists Hail Civil Rights Act; as Passage of the 1991 Civil Rights Act is Imminent, its Impact on the Gay Rights Bill and on Coalitions is Praised." Gay Community News Nov 09 1991: 3. Print. Read More