(Editor's Note: This is not a response to a certain other blog post. I already had the idea to present my own thoughts on the subject before I saw it.)
The subject of same-sex marriage has obviously aroused passionate opinions and actions by people on both sides of the issue.
Many people that oppose same-sex marriage cite their own personal experience among homosexuals or, lacking that, what they've been taught by their family and/or religious upbringing. As I vacillate between being agnostic and secular, I don't have a spiritual filter to guide my point of view. That leaves me with only my experiences with the GLBT community which have been generally positive and respectful.
I essentially believe that any two consenting adults should be able to legally marry. Short of that, I believe that the word "marriage" should be removed from state laws with the intention of allowing any two adults to enter into a civil union. Churches, synagogues and mosques and other religious institutions would then have the option to choose to recognize the unions through a marriage ceremony.
Some people believe that allowing same-sex marriage will lead down a slippery slope that would legitimize polygamy, pedophilia and bestiality. It should go without saying that I definitely do not condone intimate relations with children and animals. As far as polygamy goes, I have to admit some discomfort with that concept, ironically for the same reasons many oppose same-sex marriage: I'm unsure whether it's something that is positive for children or if it isn't primarily based on lust. That said, I might not theoretically vote against a civil union of some sort, as long as the financial responsibility of tertiary parties is placed solely on the "extended family" and not taxpayers. Sorry, it's just the fiscal moderate in me...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
I agree with Elton:
http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/elton-john-where-prop-8-went-wrong
I'm sure Elton and his partner aren't the only ones who feel that way. I've heard that many gay men and women feel that marriage is a "straight" thing. However, if the nationwide demonstrations this past weekend are any indicator, they might be the relative exception to the rule.
That's why I believe that civil union laws should be established or enforced to make them equivalent to marriage... or that the word "marriage" should be replaced legally by "civil union" and let the religious institutions decide whom they want to marry.
Post a Comment