Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage
Is gay marriage a civil right or a religious freedom? The debate of legalizing same-sex marriages hinges on this question. Same-sex couples are fighting for the right to marry, to acquire legal rights to their partners - for such things as insurance, health benefits, and other legal matters ("Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives”). Debates gather intensity as proponents and opponents argue their side of gay marriage being legal. Opponents argue that marriage is a religious freedom between a woman and a man, meant for procreation, and that same-sex couples aren’t the optimum environment for raising children. Proponents argue that marriage is a civil right that should be available to all American citizens, regardless of their gender. All citizens are meant to have equal rights in the United States of America, as bound by its constitution, and this includes the right for anyone to marry, regardless of their gender.
The belief that marriage is a religious freedom is not accurate. The marriage ceremony actually predates organized religion. Originally, marriage was a private, binding contract between clans (families) to form an alliance, expand property, earn dowry and find suitable heir apparent ("History of Marriage."). Today, marriage is a contract between two consenting adults and the government, with the marriage certificate being issued by the government, not the church or religious institution that preforms the marriage ceremony. The government’s insertion in the marriage contract and certification thereby makes marriage a civil right, not a religious freedom.
Another argument against gay marriage, is that marriage is for procreation, and same-sex couples are not able to procreate. Marriage is not intended solely for procreation. Were that true, infertile couples, post-menopausal women, and impotent men would not be allowed to marry. Being gay doesn’t mean the reproductive organs quit working. Many same-sex couples have given birth to,
Is gay marriage a civil right or a religious freedom? The debate of legalizing same-sex marriages hinges on this question. Same-sex couples are fighting for the right to marry, to acquire legal rights to their partners - for such things as insurance, health benefits, and other legal matters ("Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives”). Debates gather intensity as proponents and opponents argue their side of gay marriage being legal. Opponents argue that marriage is a religious freedom between a woman and a man, meant for procreation, and that same-sex couples aren’t the optimum environment for raising children. Proponents argue that marriage is a civil right that should be available to all American citizens, regardless of their gender. All citizens are meant to have equal rights in the United States of America, as bound by its constitution, and this includes the right for anyone to marry, regardless of their gender.
The belief that marriage is a religious freedom is not accurate. The marriage ceremony actually predates organized religion. Originally, marriage was a private, binding contract between clans (families) to form an alliance, expand property, earn dowry and find suitable heir apparent ("History of Marriage."). Today, marriage is a contract between two consenting adults and the government, with the marriage certificate being issued by the government, not the church or religious institution that preforms the marriage ceremony. The government’s insertion in the marriage contract and certification thereby makes marriage a civil right, not a religious freedom.
Another argument against gay marriage, is that marriage is for procreation, and same-sex couples are not able to procreate. Marriage is not intended solely for procreation. Were that true, infertile couples, post-menopausal women, and impotent men would not be allowed to marry. Being gay doesn’t mean the reproductive organs quit working. Many same-sex couples have given birth to,
Cited: * "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives." Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives. * N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. * "History of Marriage." History of Marriage. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. * "Gay Marriage Debates." The Premiere Online Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. * *