There seem to be Specific time in history where certain issues define the culture tension in a society. They become representative of large worldview and clearly emphasize the battle between divergent moral and spiritual perspectives. Homosexual marriage in the United States is one of these issues.
In the past five years, there have been various threats and debates about the possibility of legalizing homosexual union. The issue took centre stage in February largely. The U. S Senate quashes a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gays from marrying.
President Bush and other same-sex marriage opponents say they will try again. Most of Americans are against same-sex marriage because how the nation would change if gay were allowed to marry. Gay marriage could affects on American society in many different ways. 1.
Polygamy. 2. Federal spending. 3. Religious speech. 4.
Children. 5. Civil Rights. First, it is more likely to lead to polygamy. For instance, says legalizing same-sex marriage will open the floodgates to polygamy. The more government moves towards sanctioning homosexual relationships, the less right it has to prevent plural marriage.
The idea that same-sex marriage could lead to polygamy is “Not beyond the bounds of reality, although incredibly unlikely,” said Michael Allen who teaches constitutional law at Stetson university college of law in Gulf port. We do not see that is as a realistic view. For instance, it is highly doubtful that solemnizing the union of accepting adults, equal in power in their relationships, would lead to acceptance of polygamous unions, which have, throughout most of history in those societies that have accepted them. “If one man can marry anther man, you need to ask then, what is it that you doing by prohibiting one man from marrying two women?” “What’s the evil that you are tying to prevent?” “If same sex marriage is legalized there is no natural stopping point in redefining what is or is not acceptable. ” It would take much longer to legalize polygamy then gay marriage because it is more socially taboo.
” That is the reason that polygamists would get away with trying to take credit on same sex marriage (Attorney John Bucher). Second, gay marriage will affect on the Federal Spending. According to news reports, the costs of same sex marriage, he referred to on August 2003 report from the nonpartisan congressional budget office that said the federal government would have to spend about $ 1. 4- billion during 10 years to extend benefits to domestic partners and retirees. The budget study for the possible impact of same sex marriage that the office crunched numbers from census figures and other reports to estimate income taxes, Social Security, health care benefits and other federal programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps.
The government would pay more benefits in areas such as social security. Third, gay marriage is against “Religious Speech”. Some religious leaders think it could become more difficult legally to lecture against homosexuality if the nation were to support same sex marriage as a fundamental right. The argument has spread, reaching Christian television shows and church pulpits.
Major religious organizations have issued warnings, including concerned women for America, focus on the family and the liberty counsel, and Orlando based group that has become a national leader in the fight against same- sex marriage. “A woman who married her lesbian partner in Massachusetts was banned from teaching in the church of Christ, Scientist after she refused to “repent” for her actions. ” A church letter sent to Kathleen Clement son said she had abused her role as a teacher and could teach spiritual healing again only if she repented and served a three- years probation. “I don’t feel I have anything to repent for more than anyone else,” she told The News Press of Fort Myers.
Christian Scientists consider prayer as the primary source of mental and physical healing, and clement son was a well- known church practitioner and lecturer. For 10 years, she taught two classes on spiritual healing that is the first step toward being a church practitioner. The church’s letter to clement son also said that her former students are now considered to have had no primary is instruction, and they can no longer present their practitioner services in the Christian Science Journal, or .
