Shane
03-19-2009, 03:41 PM
( did NOT write this, but....................... its a very good pointy with alot of details :] )
Gay marriage is one of the most controversial topics discussed today. Thirty-nine of the fifty states already have laws against it, according to About.com: US Politics. Marriage is a right given to all citizens. It should not be limited to just the straight orientation. Our way of life is ever-changing and legalizing gay marriage is a change we need to make as a country.
Every citizen in America has the same rights, regardless of their lifestyle choices. The constitution was created to protect the freedom we fought for. It was not meant to be used the way it is today: to challenge the rights of people through prejudice.
The first section of Amendment fourteen says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Basically, every citizen has the same rights and no person should be denied their rights. This is exactly what people want to do: deny gays the right to a same-sex marriage. Not only is it politically incorrect to deny gays the right to marriage, it would complicate the systems in the United States. If every state is allowed to choose between banning and legalizing gay marriage, would states that ban it have to acknowledge the marriage of a same-sex couple if they move there? Would same-sex couples be limited to the states that do acknowledge it?
I have tried to avoid using religion as an argument, but those opposed to gay marriage try constantly to use it to their advantage. Religion, particularly Christianity, cannot be used in a legal argument because it is considered politically incorrect. Yes, Christianity was used in the creation of this country and is our official religion, but it is now considered politically incorrect to claim one religion superior over another.
Don’t get me wrong; I am Christian. I know the Bible states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
This clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. But there are other laws in the Old Testament that we no longer follow; for example, Exodus 35:2 clearly states people who work on the Sabbath should be put to death. We don’t kill those that work on the Sabbath day. Why, then, won’t we allow same-sex marriage?
Christians should also recognize that not everyone shares the same religion; not everyone believes in God. These matters should be kept in church doctrine and not brought into the government. People also need to realize there are two types of marriages: legal and religious. Legal marriages should be open to any two people wanting a marriage license. Religious marriages can then be reserved for those that believe in the sacred nature of marriage.
Our country is continually changing and growing in cultural diversity. Same-sex marriage should be legalized throughout the country. We need to put aside our personal stereotypes and give everyone the right to their own pursuit of happiness.
Gay marriage is one of the most controversial topics discussed today. Thirty-nine of the fifty states already have laws against it, according to About.com: US Politics. Marriage is a right given to all citizens. It should not be limited to just the straight orientation. Our way of life is ever-changing and legalizing gay marriage is a change we need to make as a country.
Every citizen in America has the same rights, regardless of their lifestyle choices. The constitution was created to protect the freedom we fought for. It was not meant to be used the way it is today: to challenge the rights of people through prejudice.
The first section of Amendment fourteen says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Basically, every citizen has the same rights and no person should be denied their rights. This is exactly what people want to do: deny gays the right to a same-sex marriage. Not only is it politically incorrect to deny gays the right to marriage, it would complicate the systems in the United States. If every state is allowed to choose between banning and legalizing gay marriage, would states that ban it have to acknowledge the marriage of a same-sex couple if they move there? Would same-sex couples be limited to the states that do acknowledge it?
I have tried to avoid using religion as an argument, but those opposed to gay marriage try constantly to use it to their advantage. Religion, particularly Christianity, cannot be used in a legal argument because it is considered politically incorrect. Yes, Christianity was used in the creation of this country and is our official religion, but it is now considered politically incorrect to claim one religion superior over another.
Don’t get me wrong; I am Christian. I know the Bible states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
This clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. But there are other laws in the Old Testament that we no longer follow; for example, Exodus 35:2 clearly states people who work on the Sabbath should be put to death. We don’t kill those that work on the Sabbath day. Why, then, won’t we allow same-sex marriage?
Christians should also recognize that not everyone shares the same religion; not everyone believes in God. These matters should be kept in church doctrine and not brought into the government. People also need to realize there are two types of marriages: legal and religious. Legal marriages should be open to any two people wanting a marriage license. Religious marriages can then be reserved for those that believe in the sacred nature of marriage.
Our country is continually changing and growing in cultural diversity. Same-sex marriage should be legalized throughout the country. We need to put aside our personal stereotypes and give everyone the right to their own pursuit of happiness.