Same-Sex Marriage (Response)
Prompt
This week we’ve read essays dealing with the changing nature of Disney films, pros and cons of standardized testing, gay marriage and a redefinition of family values, and prison parole reform. Pick one essay and discuss it, give your opinion, and tell us what you feel has influenced your opinon the most ( family, gender, culture, education…) Be as specific and convincing as possible.
Relevant bits of classmate’s post
Chris Glaser discussion on ‘Marriage as We See It” is an article that has shed light on the topic of ordination of gays and same sex marriages. To him his two most sacred commitments in life are to the ministry and marriage to a same sex partner. His thoughts of being under attack because of the choices he made during a time where society and churches most likely are uncomfortable with the notion of homosexuality, are feelings that should not be taken lightly.
Response
Until replying to one of these posts last week, I was passionately against same-sex marriage. My argument was the common “it destroys the family unit” argument. In doing background research to support this statement, an overwhelming majority of studies contradicted my thoughts. I was left with no other reason to object to same-sex marriage and myriad reasons to consider flip-flopping from objector to supporter, bypassing apathy altogether. I had to admit to myself that my logic was invalid and that my primary objection was morally based.
Glaser’s description, in addition to some of the other stuff I have recently read, of some of the benefits of religious and legal ordination has weakened my resolve for a moral argument.
I was raised a southern baptist, devoutly against homosexuality (even though I had homosexual friends, I just disagreed with their lifestyle and we didn’t really even discuss it). I’ve since lost my faith, “converting” to a philosophy that doesn’t contradict science. My beliefs aren’t that of any organized religion or system, but are more akin to Taoism and Buddhism than most Western religions. In my eyes, all religions are nearly synonymous, providing good moral guidelines for their practitioners. Yet I still can’t shake this feeling of how unnatural homosexuality is.
Yet, `Marriage as We See It’ still has not answered my remaining questions. Why do homosexuals seek acceptance by the church? And why is the church changing its stance? Homosexuality is clearly outlawed in Leviticus.
