The first definition of marriage in Webster's Dictionary:
(1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.
Opposite sex- as in, one man, one woman. This is what marriage is and should only be. The union of one man and one woman.
So I celebrate today as another state- the 18th state, in fact- puts a gay-marriage ban in their Constitution.
"Although Texas has an existing law defining marriage as a
union between a man and a woman, locking that definition into the state
constitution would make it more difficult for a future Legislature to
change."
As far as I see it, the more states we have doing this, the better.
When you protect marriage, you are then in turn protecting the family. Protecting the family contributes largely to raising proper adults, which in turn means taking good care of our country. It is not just a single issue.
As you can see, it is so much more than that.
Thank you, Texas. And a big (sombrero) hats off to you!
3 comments:
Hi Sharon..just wanted to post a quick comment on this one! Let me just preface this with saying that I am in no way disrespecting your beliefs, simply offering a different perspective. First off, we live in a country where the sacrament of marriage is far from sacred...over 50% of marriages fail, and usually in the first 5 years! We have reality tv shows where choosing a life partner is turned into a game show! So I don't necessarily agree that we must "protect marriage"...we must transform marriage so that most of the people who enter into it succeed at it so they can create positive family units that are healthy for all involved. Now I do agree that gay couples should not necessarily be allowed to "marry", because marriage is a *religious* sacrement that should be mandated by the *church*, not the government. However, I strongly believe that gay couples should have the right to legal unions where they can be afforded the same rights as a married man and woman, including health care coverage, tax breaks, the right to make health decisions for their partner if the partner is unable to speak for him/herself, etc. In a country that touts equal rights for all, there is clearly unabashed, openly accepted discrimination when it comes to homosexuals. And here's the thing...the only difference between a gay person and a straight person is who they sleep with. And this is the most private part of a person's life, a part no one has the right to information about, and certainly not a part of a person that should define what kind of a person they are. I also feel that a gay couple can successfully raise children as well as, or sometimes better than some straight couples already are! There are a lot of dysfunctional families out there in which a *man* and *woman* are the head of the household. I believe love makes a family, not the gender of the parents. I'd much rather a child be raised in a home with 2 loving, emotionally healthy same-sex parents that in a home with neglectful or abusive mom and dad. I don't see homosexuality as a sin...it's been scientifically proven to occur during pregnancy, therefore its not a sinful choice one makes...yes they choose to *act* on it, but imagine trying not to act on your attraction to men..could you do that? If someone told you it was only aceptable to be with women, how unnatural would that feel to you? I imagine it's the same for gay people. I think it all comes down to empathy...and realizing that we all want the same joys in life...the joys of being able to celebrate the union of 2 people who *love* each other and have it be recognized and accepted, the joy of raising a family, and the joys of intertwining the two. I know if my son turned out to be gay, I would want him to experience those joys in his life and not be discriminated against because of one very private aspect of his being. Just my thoughts, I hope I didn't offend you in any way!!
On behalf of Texas, you are welcome.
Hi Kim,
No offense. Thanks. :)
I have to keep it short, unfortunately. But I'll get out what I can of my thoughts.
First, I find it to be horrifically sad the divorce rate in our country. At the same time, I believe that things such as this contribute to such a high divorce rate. Allowing gay marriages/unions is one of the things that shows marriage isn't being taken seriously. We are not helping when we vote to allow thse types of living arrangements.
(among those I include pre-marital sex, children before marriage, cohabitating, etc.)
What is one of the greatest purposes of marriage? Along with a unitive love, it is to create a family. Creating a family takes a man and a woman. While I think adoption is wonderful, I still think that biological or adoptive babies thrive best in a natural environment of a mother figure and a father figure- and there is research to show for it.
Regarding health care- again, I disagree. Homosexuality activity contributes to more health related problems. Including homosexuals united on healthcare is a factor in the costs continuing to rise.
(links:http://www.glma.org/news/releases/n02071710gaythings.html AND http://gaylife.about.com/od/healthfitness/a/smokingcancer.htm) Those are only 2 references. There are so many more. On average, gays tend to be higher drug users and experience w/ more partners. No wonder they need coverage! However, I feel that if we continue to allow this, it will only say we agree and give permission. Which will only make the cycle worse.
Now please don't get me wrong- I have several gay friends. I have worked w/ them, etc. I think a person is a person and I don't hide myself from them b/c they're gay. There are MANY great gay people, just as there are straight. But when voting time comes, I express my beliefs.
And yes, thoese gays could/do raise families. But there IS research that states when children are rasied in the non-nuclear famil, there tend to be more problems- psychologically, sexually, etc. So while gays raising children together may seem great up front, long term, it may be more harmful. Gays tend to have more partners than non-gays. Having more partners often leads to separation, which has severe effects on children. Just one example.
You wrote: "imagine trying not to act on your attraction to men..could you do that?"
Well, YES. I have done that. My husband and I waited to be together until our wedding night. I know many people that believe we're not animals, and yes, it is possible to practice self-control. We have to practice self-control in all areas of our lives- why should sex be different? It is private, but so is our finances. So are many things- yet there is always a time to control that area.
I would never stop loving my child. Gay or straight. However, by doing what I feel is right, esp. w/ voting, I hope that I am helping to create the type of world for my child that helps him know what is right from wrong even when I can not.
Ok, so much for keeping it short.
Have a great weekend!
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