While I know that this debate is largely over in Canada, it is very much alive and well in the United States. The reason I was thinking about this today was because of an interview Jon Stewart did the other night on the Daily Show.
This issue really stirs up a lot of emotions in me and I get very frustrated when I see what often amounts to ignorance. It seems to me that the main issue in this debate is about how people view homosexuality. What I mean by this is, whether or not people believe that being gay is a choice or not. I can understand the argument against gay marriage if being gay is a choice, but the reality is that there is not a choice…at least not in ones sexual orientation. Being gay is no more of a choice than, say, the colour of your skin or your sex. We would not tolerate the idea of banning interracial marriage, so how is this really that different when you look at it in light of human rights.
In the States, the religious have been the largest opponents to the legalization of gay marriage. Their biggest arguments come from the Bible, but there some problems with their arguments. First, not all Christians agree on what the Bible actually says about homosexuality. Second, there is suppose to be separation of church and state and therefore religious views should not dictate public policy. Third, as Jon Stewart mentions in the interview, they don’t want the biblical definition of marriage changed, but the definition of marriage has not been static and definitely has not always been a sacred union between one man and one woman.
I will leave this topic at that for now, but I definitely have more to say on this topic. So, I will leave that for another post.
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I do believe that the bible is divinly inspired, i really do. but the huge problem which people over look it that, even though it is divinly inspired it is still written and interpreted by humans. And as we all know humans are a little prone to making mistakes.
ReplyDeleteim not saying the bible is wrong, im just saying maybe you should think and understand what the bible is actually saying rather then blindly following what sonmeone else said about something you haven't read.
cause seriously, shellfish is also an "abomination". And yet i see people dipping lobster in butter.
Now i have heard the argument of (as weird as this sounds) "when will it end". Now to put that into context the lady that was speaking contextualized the idea that if we allow homosexuals their right to marry then who is going to stop people from marrying animals or close cousins? "when will it end"
Although i can pick that statement to pieces i am much rather going to follow that logic. Yes when will it end? if we start denying rights of humans beings, when will that end? If they are not allowed to get married then what other rights are they going to begin to get denied?
I belive that marriage should be between two people that love each other. I dont see a huge up roar about a man and a women that dont love eachother get married. then why should there be a problem when two men or women who love each other get hitched? children need loving parents not a father and a mother.
Cheers to good ol' pluralistic, parliamentary Canada. Your fellow Albertans may not be so crazy about the suits back east, but you have to give them props for how much more smoothly this went north of the border.
ReplyDeleteWhat really confuses me is how consumed the anti-gay people in the States are with this issue. Why is it so consuming when there are so many other pressing Christian issues that need attention? Is it just easier to think of a good Christian life as not being gay, rather than thinking it means you have to oppose a war or see people in prison?
For me, the issue really comes down to a matter of social justice. Doing what is right does not always match with personal beliefs or values.
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