The Question of Same-Sex Marriages - Assignment Example

The Question of Same-Sex Marriages Same-sex marriage, as proposed by Marvin Ellison, a gay Christian Ethics is one that has brought much controversies. This debate revolves around the institution of marriage and the state. Ellison’s justification for gay marriages is based on state rulings for provision of equal rights for all genders. Beside equality, conservatives like David Cameroon added the ideology of commitment. However, opponents of this debate, of whom the majority are Christians, tend to argue that marriage was a pre-state institution. They claim that marriage between man and woman lead to the rise of the political society: the state. Therefore, they oppose any interpretation that may be contrary to Christian morals. Moreover, some scholars, for instance Calilhanna (60), hold that any attempt by the state to legalize gay marriage is tantamount to redefining the biological link that comes between marriage and children. Furthermore, some scholars feel that any change made in the institution of marriage may not be cosmetic, as it will interfere with its societal roles, purpose and functions. This paper will discuss the negative sides of homosexuality based on Ellison’s ethics and morals. One of the problems of gay marriage is that it seems deficient as a definition of family. Moreover, this marriage as proposed by Ellison does not clearly define what the term “two individuals” mean. Relationship between two individuals can mean between biological sisters, biological brothers or parents and their biological children. Here, redefinition of marriage from the normal union of different sexes, to the union of any two persons alters the three main societal principles. One such principle is entitlement of children to a relationship with two parents. Second is tracking parenthood through biological parentage. Third is the state’s commitment to recognizing parentage without assigning to it biological parenthood. Therefore, same-sex marriage, as proposed, may end up damaging the thousands of years culture that has taken long to build. Same-sex marriages leave a vacuum because the society stems from heterosexual marriages. It alters the common biological way of determining parentage. Furthermore, it gives the state powers to determine parenthood rather than the biological trend. Defining marriage through the narrow interpretation of “union between two individuals” might give room to marriages between parents and their biological children from the fact that the determination of parentage will depend on the state’s interpretation. In fact, same-sex marriages go against societal norms on the issue of getting children and even caring for them until they are mature. Therefore, it seems that legalizing same-sex marriage may lead to a demise of future generations due to lack of biological children from such marriages. Viewed from a Christian perspective, this marriage violates God’s established moral order. Here, Christians opposed to this marriage argue that marriage is not the creature of any state, but an established institution by God to the first parents of the human race, Adam and Eva. Genesis 1:28-29 talks about God’s creation of man and woman. He gave them ability to fulfill the earth and have authority over it. The gospel according to Saint Mark, (Mark 10:6-7) has Jesus teachings on marriages. This gospel talks about the creation of man and woman. It offers guidance that marriage should be between two people of the opposite sex. These two biblical books, therefore, offer clear indications of God’s position on marriage, as the union between two people of the opposite sex. Giving the first two beings (man and woman) the ability to subdue and fill the earth shows that the institution of marriage was pre- state, a fact supported by early philosophers such as John Locke. The book of Genesis 19:24-25 also teaches on God’s punishment to Sodom and Gomorrah for the sin of homosexuality by destroying them. This clearly shows that God forbids homosexuality. Therefore, same-sex marriage is a creation of the 20th and 21st century societies, but it was not so from the beginning. Some people argue that same-sex marriage should not be legalized by any moral society because that is tantamount to forcing everyone to accept it. In fact legalizing it gives the state mandate to become its promoter. The state may have courage to order its arms of the government to protect its implementation at all levels. It may even prescribe punishment to those who oppose it. Those who have a moral conscience should address this concern even to the public without fear. Otherwise, the society may degenerate into moral corruption in the name of rights and freedoms (Dailey 1). Normal marriage between man and woman, as advanced by Christianity and many other religions, provides a good example to the state on what the basic unit of the society should be. Marriage between man and woman normalizes conditions for affectionate, stable and moral atmosphere that also aids upbringing of children. On the contrary, homosexuality cannot offer a balanced family environment for children’s growth. Therefore, supporting gay marriage will be quite unethical, as does not build or protect societal values that support proper continuity of the society. Gay marriage should be discouraged because it may eventually lead to a deviation from the norms of healthy sexual behavior. Opponents of same-sex marriage claim that its continued tolerance may lead to accepting immoral sexual acts like bestiality, incest, pedophilia, anal sex and oral sex among others. Therefore, it makes much sense for this kind of marriage to be discouraged because it deviates from the traditional societal values, which are the basis of current law and morals. The society should not just accept everything, lest its values disappear. Besides, same-sex marriage lacks the benefits of true marriage because it does not allow partners to get biological children. Therefore, it goes against the principles of traditional marriage that views children as the products of marriage between a man and a woman. With same-sex marriage, partners have to circumvent nature, more so through costly and artificial means to enable them get children. A number of scholars have argued that some approaches to getting children are considered unethical. That is because they entail buying of children and opting for test-tube babies. Same-sex marriage is essentially a sterile union. Therefore, sterile unions should be discouraged because they may be the genesis of other ethical problems. Gay marriage is also seen as capable of contributing to the rise in sexually transmitted diseases. Analysts view practicing risky sexual behaviors like promiscuity among homosexual couples as a contributing factor to many diseases. Homosexuals are prone to diseases such as hepatitis, gonorrhea, syphilis, anal cancer and even mental illness. Therefore, same-sex marriage should not be legalized in any moral society that has the best interest of its members at heart (Dailey 1). In conclusion, gay marriage has been proved unethical. It leads to destruction of the society through it bad policies that should be avoided if possible for survival of future generations. By legalizing homosexuality, the state may be seen as trying to treat the pre-political society as its own property, hence a political institution. Therefore, it makes sense if stance can keep distance from interfering with the institution of marriage. Work cited Calilhana, Gerard. Gay Marriage and the Growth of State Intervention. 2013. Accessed from http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/27d64d6e088ecc97ca 257b2800049da5/$FILE/1040%20National%20Marriage%20Coalition.pdf Dailey, Timothy, J. The Negative Health Effects of Homosexuality. 2007. Accessed from http://www.battlefortruth.org/ArticlesDetail.asp?id=235 Read More