Same Sex Marriage

Abstract

There are different view points against same-sex marriages and how it has affected the way society thinks. Can it truly be said that two people of the same-sex are considered married? If so this society has really taken a turn in the wrong direction. Going forward on what is right and wrong is the big question; are same-sex marriages ethical or unethical? Ethically speaking same-sex marriage is considered immoral to most; unethically individuals have a right to their own opinions.

Same-Sex Marriages

Same-sex marriage poses an unethical and unpractical possibility that has serious implications for all other aspects of family law and the respect for human life and children in our culture. Marriage until now has always been a union between a man and a woman. They can belong to any culture or race but the idea of cohabiting with someone of the same-sex is immorally wrong. Somerville presented a strong case against same-sex marriages, in which she states that changing the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples destroys its capacity to function in the ways outlined in the bible (2003). Same-sex marriage threatens the institution of marriage.

In 2004, President Bush endorsed an amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage because of Massachusetts began granting marriages for same-sex couples (Bush, 2004). Is this amendment lawful according to the Constitution of the United States of America? The Constitution, Section I, states that marriage should be a union of only a man and a woman. Statistics show that 27 states have effective constitutional bans against same-sex marriage; 43 have statutes outlawing it and 600,000 same-sex couples were identified in the last census (InfoTrac One File, 2006). Cameron's research shows that same-sex marriage, partners are more apt to take biological risks when having sex with their partner than when having casual sex (1997). His evidence also shows that gays contract more disease such as AIDS and various forms of hepatitis, from same-sex partners. Statistics shows that gays with partners are more apt to die of both AIDS and non-AIDS conditions than those without partners (Statistics, 2007).

If we are to survive as heterosexuals we all need to be aware of the sex partners we choose, questions their preference of previous sexual partners (Statistics, 2007). The increased number of sex partners is sweeping this country every day; statistics alone shows the increase of homosexuality (Statistics, 2007).The number of unmarried couples living together has increased ten-fold between 1960 and 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (Statistics, 2007). Many couples are totally in the dark of the danger that lurks in their marriage union and when informed by a doctor of a deadly disease that has incurred from a sex partner it is always too late to reverse the circumstances (Statistics, 2007).

Many years ago, couples had to take blood tests before marriage, but in the recent years viewing a video tape on AIDS is all that is required before two people can be married. What is the probability of a couple changing their minds to get married by simply looking at a movie? Informing couples about diseases has no impact on their decision to have sex, but it should make them aware that condoms or some form of protection should be used at all times. Even though the Bible clearly states at Leviticus 18:22, which reads: "You shall not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, it is an abomination." How many people really believe what is said, even though the Bible is direct on homosexuality and it leaves no room for questioning? Americans' security and welfare is tied up in their sexual preferences; why do we as a society choose to deviate from scripture? One answer might be that everyone's ethical values are different according to culture, race, and sex. The Constitution states that everyone has a right to express their own opinions even if it means death.

Further research shows that same-sex marriages in forty- one states are still banned and offer no alternative for marriages; however, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and New York have no legal bans on same-sex marriages (Findlaw, 2006). The remaining states offer marriage or an alternative to same-sex marriages but the couples must register as domestic partners (Findlaw, 2006). The traditional marriage is of a man and woman, the legalization of homosexual marriage will destroy the traditional family which is the building blocks to our society, according to Messerli (2006). It is what has sustained us through two world wars, a great depression, and numerous other challenges over the centuries; introducing another form of family would only make the situation worse (Messerli, 2006). In Genesis 2:24, states, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (God's Word, 1995).

Advocates believe the studies that state that there is no effect on children who are raised by same-sex couples; but the studies are inaccurate because (1) they involve self-selected subjects, (2) they do not study families over sufficient periods of time and (3) they are bias toward the researchers