The Ratio of World Religions to the Same-Sex Marriage - Research Paper Example

Same-Sex Marriage Introduction: “Marriage is and always has been about bringing men and women together in permanent, exclusive sexual relationship. No human society-not one-has ever embraced homosexual marriage or otherwise, has never been regarded as a normal, morally equal part of any society” (Glenn T 4). This is the definition on the institution of marriage that is accepted worldwide. World embraces marriage as an institution that has been created for the advancement of the society. The whole concept of marriage has been revolutionized by the emergence of same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is defined as the union between two people belonging to same gender or sex. Across the globe, heated discussions are still in progress about providing the legal consent to same-sex marriage. It is a concept which is unacceptable to most people around the world since it is against the basic rules for which society and man in general stands for. Same-sex marriage upsets the basic foundation of the society. The religious institutions oppose same-sex marriage strongly since it is against the orthodox religious beliefs. Same sex marriage tends to retard the steady progress of the society and it negatively influences the human race.       From the Religious Point of View: Islam: Against Islam: The religions across the universe are unified against same-sex marriage. “Regardless of the differing justifications for the ban, however, the religions are allegedly presenting a united front with respect to the view that such unions should be prohibited, and thus the debate surrounding same-sex unions might be characterized as pitting religion against the secular state” (Philip 121). Encouragement of same-sex marriage is prohibited in Islam. It is against the dignified tradition of the Islamic law, known as the Shariah. According to the Islamic law marriage is defined as the social and legal contract between man and woman to engage in sexual intercourse. Not Natural for Humans: According to Islam, same-sex marriage is not a natural way of human relationship. The basic goal of marriage in all religious institutions is procreation. Since same-sex marriage does not satisfy this basic goal, it is not allowed in Islam. The word ‘nikah’ (marriage) in Islam means ‘contract’. The Quran clearly defines marriage to be “mithaqun Ghalithun” meaning ‘a strong agreement’. “The Quran evidently considers homosexuality as unnatural, unethical and immoral. It also considers such tendency as a sexual deviation leading to a perverted act, which goes against the natural order of God intended for mankind” (Mohamad & Ashorf p. 116-7). Christianity: Against Christianity: According to the Book of Genesis, God has created man and woman in his own image. The image of God is reflected in both man and woman. God wants to express his omnipotent and omnipresent self through man and woman. The union of man and woman should expand the human race which is possible only through heterosexual union. “The Christian conservative perspective includes that if one legalized same-sex marriage, it would threaten the idea of marriage. In America, there is strong Christian culture that restricts same-sex rights. Both psychoanalysis and child development approaches are applied to the current debate” (Don 102). Against What God has said in the Bible: After creating Adam, God created Eve as his partner. He didn’t create another Adam. Heterosexual marriage is the natural, social, emotional and psychological union between man and woman. Homosexual activities are harmful to the body. This can be seen in the Bible where homosexual men are given strong punishment for their unlawful acts. Scripture describes that marriage was introduced as an institution for heterosexual monogamy. For Adam, union with Eve is a kind of reunion with his soul. In the Scriptures, God considers homosexual people as the wicked. According to the Scriptures, homosexual will not inherit the kingdom of God.   Relationship: Society Problems: What the Studies Show: Most of the studies that have been carried out in the same-sex marriage show that it is harmful to the institutions of society and family. “Many people who oppose the idea of expanding marriage to include these couples regard same-sex marriage as a profound threat to the institution of marriage and the stability and well being of society in general." (Kathleen 1). While most of the heterosexual marriages continue for a lifetime, homosexual marriages are short lived. Studies have shown that same-sex marriage is against the moral equilibrium, religious freedom and against the very foundation on which the society is based. Several researches based on same-sex marriage shows that heterosexual union is the best for the overall physical and psychological development of children. Both father and mother are inevitable for the balanced mental health of children. The healthier relationship for the society is always a heterosexual union. What the People Say: Human beings in general always oppose same –sex marriages. Public view on the same-sex marriage has been tracked by several opinion polls for about a decade in the U.S. Opinion polls show that the mindset of people cannot readily accept the institution of same-sex marriage. According to a Pew research poll that was conducted in the present decade 82% of people were against same-sex marriage. According to the Error! Hyperlink reference not valid survey, people who participated in the research rebuke same-sex marriage, with the argument that it is against the religious beliefs and the sentiments of people. 12 percent of people who participated in the survey oppose same-sex marriage by saying that it is against the normal belief of the institution of marriage, which is a union between man and woman. When in 1996, Defense of marriage act was passed by the federal government, only 25% of Americans were in support of the same-sex marriage. Problems: Homosexual sex, according to recent health studies, brings in various health risks such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), physical injuries and diseases. A scientific study titled "Gay Marriage and Homosexuality, Some Medical Comments" (Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ a Health Risk Doctors Warn Parliamentarians par. 1) submitted and signed by a group of doctors from disciplines such as family medicine, dermatology and neurology, says that homosexuals are highly susceptible to diseases like anal cancer, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Cryptosporidium, Giardia Lamblia, Herpes simplex virus, HIV, Human papilloma virus, Isospora belli, Microsporidia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, etc. Same Sex Marriage can also cause psychic illnesses such as major depression, high anxiety levels, suicide attempts, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Alcohol abuse, drug abuse and heavy cigarette smoking are found among the majority of homosexuals. The mental problems and fixations in homosexuals were in fact, induced by the differential behavior and perception of other individuals towards them. The incidents of these psychic and physical disorders in homosexuals can in turn shorten their life span by about 20 years. Same Sex Marriage can cause many severe problems to the community of children. A child needs to receive strength, care and support from both the father and the mother for his / her healthy physical and mental growth and development. Any child, who lacks these, would breed a distorted image about himself, family concepts and societal norms in his mind, which will make him, unfit to become a good social being. According to the view of medical practitioners, the legalization of Same Sex Marriage can greatly increase the proportion of pedophiles as well. The acceptation of Same Sex Marriage can become an encouragement to the Pedophiles, the psychically ill individuals who have predominant interest in prepubescent children. It is estimated that “the percentage of homosexuals among pedophiles is 25% ... Therefore, the prevalence of pedophilia among homosexuals is about 10 – 25 times higher than one would expect if the proportion of pedophiles were evenly distributed within the (hetero – and homosexual) populations" (Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ a Health Risk Doctors Warn Parliamentarians par. 3).  Effects: When compared to the traditionally married couples, only a few of the homosexual partners choose to rear a child. The children reared by the same-gender parents’, faces great challenges. The children reared by homosexual parents are more susceptible to mental imbalances such as high anxiety, high stress, denial, inhibition, hostility, defensive attitude, maladaptive behavior, cross-gender behavior, less co-operative behavior, etc. They grow up to become individuals with low self-esteem, behavioral difficulties and low academic performance. The harassment and ridicule they face regarding the sexual orientation of their parents can detain them from friendships and social relationships. They will constantly compare themselves against those children, who are being brought up on the traditional civilian norms and values based on heterosexuality, marriage and commitment. They can also get discriminated and alienated by the elders of the traditional civilian society, which will make them feel dejected, segregated and marginalized. Homosexual parents, compared to the married heterosexual couples, can provide only basic requirements to kids. These parents can fail to acquire the legal recognition and responsibility towards their children. They can only provide basic legal agreements such as the Power of Attorney, naming the survivor in one's will and protecting assets in a trust. But these basic agreements also could not hold past the challenges and objections from the extended family members of these Homosexual parents. Children reared by Homosexual parents often lack legal recognition of their biological parents which make them susceptible to economic, legal, and familial insecurities. Since Same Sex Marriage is considered as a violation of basic human nature as well as public norms, the children reared by the same-gender parents’ are devoid of any legal rights or derived rights. They are also devoid of social recognition and support that are required for the psychosocial well-being, respect for one's relations and one's society. They often become the subjects of public ridicule and harassment by the other members of their society who do not approve of Same Sex Marriage. Homosexuals in Same Sex Marriage or civil unions or registered relationships are less inclined to remain committed for their lifetime, when compared to the civil union of heterosexuals. Most of the people in homosexual relationship are found to be highly promiscuous in nature. The lesser commitment of the homosexual parents towards themselves can also adversely affect the growth of the children. The insecure relationship of the parents can cause severe behavioral abnormalities in children such as increased stress levels, drug or / and alcoholic abuse, low self esteem, depression, etc. They get alienated from their homosexual parents and may get inclined to rear distorted concepts about the constitutions like marriage, family and society. Children reared by homosexual parents often face severe identity crisis and are overly concerned about their own sexual orientation. They may even compare their family with the traditional family and may demand explanation regarding the sexual orientation of their parents. Since the sexual orientation of parents can greatly influence the gender identity of children, the children reared by the homosexual parents often fail to understand one’s own personality, peer-group relationships and the warmth and quality of family relationships. The child brought up by the couple in Same Sex Marriage is more likely to choose a same-gender or homosexual partner in their later lives. Boys reared by the family of lesbian mothers may get more inclined towards the female gender and they may display greater feminine characteristics along with the normal rate of masculinity, when compared to the boys reared in a heterosexual family. Similarly, up to 9% of the children reared by a gay family are homosexual or bisexual. Conclusion: The reason for the success of the survival of human race is largely based on firm rules and regulations practiced by our society since ages. Basic constitutions such as Family and Community are the building blocks of any nation. Same Sex Marriage is against the civic institution of marriage which has been defined and followed by the religions as a religious sacrament or ceremony. Same Sex Marriage is identified as a sin by the religions and is discouraged. It is a violation to the concept of Natural Evolution of Human race itself, which is strictly based on heterosexuality and pro-creation. The concept of Same Sex Marriage is a violation of the concept of ‘Family’ in itself, the fundamental social institution, simply defined as the civil union of a man and a woman, which is greatly supported and recognized by other members of the society. It is always Children, reared up on firm beliefs and good values, who can greatly contribute to the development of society. But the children brought up by the homosexual parents do not have any access to legal, economic and familial rights and are considered as a misfit to the society. Same Sex Marriage, which advocates homosexuality, helps only to segregate the members of a society from one another on the grounds of sexual orientation. To conclude, the legalization of Same Sex Marriage holds a mirror to the impending future wherein we would become witnesses to the ultimate degeneration of all moral and ethical human values that we are proud of. Work Cited Don, Swenson. Religion and Family Link: Neofunctionalist Reflections. New York: Springer. 2008. Print. Glenn T, Stanto. Marrige on Trial: The Case Against Same-Sex Marrige and Prenting. ReadHowYouWant.com. 2010. Print. Kathleen, Hell. Same-Sex Marrige; the Cultural Politics of Love and Low. Cambridge University press. 2006. Print. Mohamad, A & V, Ashorf . Islam and Gender Justice: Questions at the Interface. Gyan Books. 2005. Print. Philip, Stasser Mark. On Same-Sex Marrige Civil Unions and the Rule of Law. Constitutional Interpretation at the Crossroads GreenWood Publishing Group. 2002. Print. Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ a Health Risk Doctors Warn Parliamentarians. Lifesitenews.com. 2005. Web. 23 October 2011.     Read More