Homosexuality: Tearing at the Moral fabric of society
Lauren Plants
Issue date: 4/22/04 Section: Opinion
The gay and lesbian community has come to another fork in the road in their search for equal rights, the battle of civil union vs. civil marriage.
First let's discuss what the difference between civil unions and civil marriages are. A civil union is a legal state of union granted by the state of Vermont, and includes similar benefits that marriage offers, but only at a state level. Civil marriage on the other hand is a marriage between a same sex couple, and would offer all the benefits that a marriage would offer. These benefits include joint tax returns, family insurance rates, and even rights to see your partner in the event of an emergency at a hospital. Also, if you have a civil union ceremony performed, some states like Georgia have now written that they are not required to recognize a civil union. And, if you want the union dissolved, one of the partners must be a resident of the state where it was performed for at least a year in order to do that.
There is also a big difference between a religious wedding ceremony and a civil ceremony. There are a handful of religious organizations that will perform a same sex marriage, but it is still not legally recognized. The biggest problem is same sex couples want all the rights that heterosexual couples have. They want to be treated exactly the same, but they are not the same. A homosexual marriage is of two people, not related of the same sex, but cannot produce offspring together like a heterosexual couple. Why should a gay marriage receive the same benefits, when they are not the same thing? A traditional family is what this country was founded with. It seems that every day we tear at the moral fabric that holds us together.
There has been such an outcry to for the homosexual movement in the past twenty years. We've seen marches on Washington, children's books published called "My Two Mommies," and a number of other things that just eat at what has been traditional. It seems to be almost trendy to be gay. I know there is a time and place for change, but not in our courts. It seems that there are more heterosexual couples, but yet the same sex couples are raising the loudest voice. Why is that? Are we afraid to let others know that we don't agree with them? Do we wish to appear to be accepting of all? Well, I'll go ahead and say it then, I don't agree with homosexuality in the first place, but if that is your 'lifestyle choice', then I won't argue with you, and I accept you a as a person. But, I don't agree with homosexual marriage at all. I think it's mainly a religious ceremony, now recognized by the government, and needs to remain that way. I don't accept that two people of the same sex can be joined the same way my husband and I can, and receive the same benefits from it. Why do I feel this way? Most likely because I was raised in the church, and I am of the belief that homosexuality is wrong, it's considered a sin. But, I know that I sin, and under the view of God, all sin is the same except blasphemy. So, in my eyes, being homosexual is just another sin, like telling a lie. My lies are not recognized by the government, in fact, I could go to jail if I lie in court. I know it's not the same thing, but the idea behind a homosexual marriage has sent our nation into an uproar for a reason, and more people need to speak out.
There is current legislation in the Senate for a national definition of what marriage is, and if it passes, it would outlaw homosexual marriage altogether. President Bush pleaded with Americans to realize: "Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious, and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all." I don't think that marriage needs to be a national issue, I think that it needs to be taken up on a state level, because there are different laws within each state concerning marriage as it is. Also, more liberal states like California, won't have anything to do with more conservative states like Missouri.
It's a tough issue all around. There will be no outcome that will satisfy everyone, because there is little or no chance we can find a solution for all. But no matter what, marriage should remain a union between man and woman alone.
First let's discuss what the difference between civil unions and civil marriages are. A civil union is a legal state of union granted by the state of Vermont, and includes similar benefits that marriage offers, but only at a state level. Civil marriage on the other hand is a marriage between a same sex couple, and would offer all the benefits that a marriage would offer. These benefits include joint tax returns, family insurance rates, and even rights to see your partner in the event of an emergency at a hospital. Also, if you have a civil union ceremony performed, some states like Georgia have now written that they are not required to recognize a civil union. And, if you want the union dissolved, one of the partners must be a resident of the state where it was performed for at least a year in order to do that.
There is also a big difference between a religious wedding ceremony and a civil ceremony. There are a handful of religious organizations that will perform a same sex marriage, but it is still not legally recognized. The biggest problem is same sex couples want all the rights that heterosexual couples have. They want to be treated exactly the same, but they are not the same. A homosexual marriage is of two people, not related of the same sex, but cannot produce offspring together like a heterosexual couple. Why should a gay marriage receive the same benefits, when they are not the same thing? A traditional family is what this country was founded with. It seems that every day we tear at the moral fabric that holds us together.
There has been such an outcry to for the homosexual movement in the past twenty years. We've seen marches on Washington, children's books published called "My Two Mommies," and a number of other things that just eat at what has been traditional. It seems to be almost trendy to be gay. I know there is a time and place for change, but not in our courts. It seems that there are more heterosexual couples, but yet the same sex couples are raising the loudest voice. Why is that? Are we afraid to let others know that we don't agree with them? Do we wish to appear to be accepting of all? Well, I'll go ahead and say it then, I don't agree with homosexuality in the first place, but if that is your 'lifestyle choice', then I won't argue with you, and I accept you a as a person. But, I don't agree with homosexual marriage at all. I think it's mainly a religious ceremony, now recognized by the government, and needs to remain that way. I don't accept that two people of the same sex can be joined the same way my husband and I can, and receive the same benefits from it. Why do I feel this way? Most likely because I was raised in the church, and I am of the belief that homosexuality is wrong, it's considered a sin. But, I know that I sin, and under the view of God, all sin is the same except blasphemy. So, in my eyes, being homosexual is just another sin, like telling a lie. My lies are not recognized by the government, in fact, I could go to jail if I lie in court. I know it's not the same thing, but the idea behind a homosexual marriage has sent our nation into an uproar for a reason, and more people need to speak out.
There is current legislation in the Senate for a national definition of what marriage is, and if it passes, it would outlaw homosexual marriage altogether. President Bush pleaded with Americans to realize: "Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious, and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all." I don't think that marriage needs to be a national issue, I think that it needs to be taken up on a state level, because there are different laws within each state concerning marriage as it is. Also, more liberal states like California, won't have anything to do with more conservative states like Missouri.
It's a tough issue all around. There will be no outcome that will satisfy everyone, because there is little or no chance we can find a solution for all. But no matter what, marriage should remain a union between man and woman alone.