The Issue of Same-Sex Marriage - Essay Example

Same Sex Marriage In the year 2004 political campaigns, a lot of debates suffocated the air concerning the issue of same sex marriage, as well as the rights of those in same sex relationship. However, the efforts of the advocates of gay rights were thwarted in that some states had the issue on ballot where the amendments were passed to prohibit the practice (Nussbuam Para 2). The issue has dominated in majority of the debates since 1996 when the Defense of Marriage act was passed by the US government. The rulings in court of laws inclusive of the local legislatures have ensured that the issue still surface in the political climate. In addition, the issue has created a battlefield between the conservatives and the advocates for the rights of gays. This battle has been fought on several occasions on the ground of culture. Nussbuam (Para 2) argues that across all the dynamics of the US as a country with diversity in terms of religion, race, and ethnicity among other, individuals get married. Marriage is not only central but also perceived ubiquitous. It is something that individuals aspire in their pursuant of happiness. If an individual is told that he or she can’t be married then there are higher chances of them developing the feeling that they are being excluded from the rituals of the life cycle of the American people. In most cases, there are bodies that held the key to marriage. Such bodies are religions organizations, the civil society, and families. However, in the US just like other developed modern countries, the government is the bearers of the key. This is in the sense that the constitution of the land stipulates that even if a coupled is married by the religious body political and social reasons dictate that they have to seek for the marriage license from the state. Marriage institution encompasses several aspects such as friendship, companionship, sexual relationship, love, procreation, and responsibilities that are mutually held (Nussbuam Para 3). However, on several occasions the marriage license can be granted even if the above illuminated factors are not present. The laws of the land dictate that marriage does not only have one meaning but also entails issues such as aspects of civil rights. In addition, it has the aspects of expression where the individuals getting married make statements before witness of their commitment and love (Levounis, Jack and Mary 73). On the religious platform, marriage is not considered complete before the solemnization by the relevant religious authority depending on the rules and regulations of the religion involved. The government is vital in all these aspects in that it not only confers them but also administers the benefits. Therefore same sex marriage has continued to be a divisive issue in the politics of the US. For an instant, in California 2008, a referendum was passed that banned same sex marriage which had earlier been granted by the courts. The community of the same sex has perceived the act to be degrading of the rights. Interestingly, the State of Lowa had legalized the issue through judicial interpretation of the constitution of the state while in Vermont, it was legalized through legislation (Nussbuam Para 4). In the context of marriage as described above it is futile to deny that lesbians and gays are not capable of intimacy, friendship, having mutual responsibility, are not capable of sexual intimacy as in the heterosexual marriage. The contemporary society is trying to have a consensus that opposite couples and same-sex coupled should equally enjoy civil rights. Moreover, the main political parties are likely to endorse the position of the same-sex couples enjoy the civil rights (Nussbuam Para 4). On the religious aspect, the religious bodies have also ad their debates which are regularly heated by the issue of the union of individuals of the same sex. Some denominations such as the United Church of Christ have embraced the marriages or union of individuals of the same sex. On the other hand, some have taken positions that are perceived to be friendly to the union while others have adamantly condemned the act. The hierarchy of the American Roman Catholic Church have not only condemned the issue using the strongest terms possible but also vehemently opposed it. However, religious bodies have not single position of the matter. The state laws however do not hamper the various religious bodies to unify individuals of the same sex (Nussbuam Para 6). The public concern on same-sex marriage and relationship has purely been on the basis of the expressive aspects of the union. There is a distinct between marriage and civil union on this aspect since the same-sex coupled claim that the civil aspects degrades and stigmatize them. One of the questions that emanate is that if they are granted the marriage license as an approval by the public, then the state being involved in conferring favors usually surfaces. Many individuals have been brought up to believe that marriage is only between couples of different sex where a man and a woman make lifetime commitments to each other (Nussbuam Para 7). On the religious ground, individuals view that marriage is sanctified by God for the sole purpose of procreation and companionship. The Legend of Bagger Vance theory focuses on the psychology of commitment. The argument illuminated in the film is concerned on accomplishment being a mystery. The film through its characters such as Junah, Jones and Hugen attempts to relate actions of individuals and consequences of the actions taken. Life at times rewards efforts not only quickly but also generously. On some occasion the rewards come before the completion of the action while on other occasions the more efforts channeled towards an action the more the further the road to accomplishment. In addition, on some occasions an action that was smooth and appeared to bear results may suddenly take shift in course by turning into trouble or by suddenly taking off. However, on certain occasion individuals may come along our way with both knowledge and power to help us find keys that are hidden as the Bagger Vance in the film does to Junah. This concept can be related to that of same sex- marriage. There are several advocates of the issue of LGBT and same sex marriage in terms of rights. The question that leaves more questions than answers through the incorporation of the mystery of accomplishment is the likely consequences of granting these rights. On the moral principles and the traditional societal values, marriage is a union that has from time immemorial been conserved for fulfillment of the construction of generation through procreation. According to Watkins (45), if the issue is embraced by the society then the society is creating a future conflict that is bound to minimize the development of the human race. The Roman Catholic Church has considerable subscribers who perceive union in marriage to be exclusively between individuals of the opposite sex. God sanctifies that union. Moreover, Watkins (46) asserts that it signifies the world approaching the end times as inscribed in the book of revelation where immoral acts were predicted towards the end of the world. The consequences of such actions should be filtered in the screen of reality and truth. The arguments should not only be based on legal aspect of same-sex marriages and relationships but also on the moral attitudes and attribute inclusive of the approval and disapproval of the religion. The arguments are supposed to be based on justification and rationality. For an instant, one of the justifiable facts about marriage in most traditions across the entire world is that it is sanctified for the purpose of procreation, as well as rearing or bring up of children. The interest of the public is thus legitimately served in the process of protecting the institution of marriage. Levounis, Jack and Mary (73) elaborate that issues such as gayism and lesbianism emanate from certain disorders that can be prevented or remedied through therapies. In addition, there are therapeutic measures and techniques that can be employed on the issues of transgender and bisexual orientation help culprits suffering from such disorders. The society should, however, not discriminate or stigmatize individuals in the group of LGBT. In fact, they should be accorded the requisite requirements that may help them out of the situation. The religious institutions have the obligation or instilling or rather inculcating moral principles in the society. The government as well has the responsibility just as the religious body to instill morals in the society (Levounis, Jack and Mary 73). The future on marriage is still one sided in that individuals will still continue to form unions by forming families and having offspring (children). In addition, marriages will still face challenges such as divorce and separation which can, however, be limited by the state and religious organizations through their teachings and education on marriage especially between a man and a woman. The majority of the advocates for same-sex marriages and LGBTs concerning the inclusion of their rights to be enjoyed equally with the opposite sex marriages; argue that the society should come to the realization of the changes in the society. We should not track back from traditional aspects that uphold moral in the society (Levounis, Jack and Mary 73) Works Cited: Nussbuam, Martha . A Right to Marry? Same-sex Marriage and Constitutional Law. 2009. Web on 5th May 2015 Watkins, Gregory J. Teaching Religion and Film. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Internet resource. Levounis, Petros, Jack Drescher, and Mary E. Barber. The Lgbt Casebook. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub, 2012. Print. Read More