Well...duh. Although it is often very difficult to predict the way in which an entire population will react to certain changes or developments, it's pretty easy to say same-sex marriage won't, shouldn't, and never will directly affect your life in any forcible or federal fashion. Sure, if you're gay or have loved ones who are, you might come into contact with the concept, but that's inevitable with or without the recognition of LGBTQ individuals' Constitutional rights.
In fact, let's briefly dissect and understand the ludicrous arguments made by opponents of same-sex marriage, most of whom seem to have no viable comprehension of history, economics, sexuality, or even religion.
1. "Homosexuality is a sin. Leviticus 18:22"
This is actually one of the easiest disputes to debunk for two reasons: 1 - Separation of church and state. It's as easy as that. Our Constitution guarantees that the government will not interfere with religion nor act as a religious institution. Accordingly, incorporating legislation based on a religious idea or specific religious affiliation, whether or not it's a popular one, is preposterous. 2 - Read your Bible more carefully and analytically. Those who use the Holy Bible in the first place to cite homosexuals' "immorality" do not seem to possess the ability to read literature beyond face-value. When reading the Bible, even if it is understood as sacred text for certain individuals, we must understand each passage as a product of its historical and cultural circumstances. Thus, when people in the Bible call homosexuality an "abomination," we must remember that in its own linguistic condition, "abomination" means 'against tradition,' not 'immoral' or 'innately evil.' That's why Leviticus 11: 10 -11 also state shellfish as an abomination, which doesn't explain why we aren't protesting Red Lobster.
2. "Churches will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages"
As aforementioned, our country enjoys (is supposed to enjoy) the political luxury of church and state separation. This means that religious institutions, acting as private entities, will not be forced to adhere to a federal law. And to be more frank and realistic, most gay couples would probably not want to be wed in a religious building by a reverend, priest, rabbi, or whomever who does not support their legal and romantic commitments.
3. "Same-sex marriage violates traditional marriages and undermines the history of marriage."
The best way anyone can showcase true idiocy is by claiming marriage is founded on religious and traditional values that will not be transferred into the same-sex marriage sphere. Yes, we haven't seen same-sex marriage often in many cultures throughout history, but that is because marriage did not operate the same way it does today throughout most of history. Marriage has always been built on economic concepts - you give me a wife, I'll give you a goat or pig. Same-sex marriage did not need to be conceptualized or legally developed, because, despite numerous accounts and evidence of homosexual love, romance, and acceptance throughout various cultures in our past , marriage did not serve, for the most part, as an institution of monogamous, religious, and romantic commitment; it's a pretty recent idea when compared to the entire timeline of human history. As a result, there may have been no need for a licit recognition of homosexual marriages because marriages were dictated by economics, social status, or the need to procreate.
4. "We cannot change the very basis of marriage; it will change the very core of our culture."
Oh, please. Marriage - like any other social institution - is subject to cultural evolution, which is a very natural and frequent process. Marriage itself has already adapted to substantial modifications in cultural mentality: in many cultures it developed religious connotation, which did NOT always exist before; women received rights to divorce and choose whom they marry in many cultures; interracial marriages were legally implemented only a few decades ago in the United States. The point is, whether it's between two races or two women, marriage develops on a cultural continuum. And because culture changes, we must change our federal recognition of such institutions.
5. "Same-sex marriage invalidates my marriage/harms my children/trivializes my religion."
If you live in the United States, you live in a free country (technically speaking). You have the right to free speech, religion, and thought. Same-sex marriages are not going to invalidate any particular values you might uphold. If they do, you probably lacked a great deal of faith in those values already. You raise your children how you want and decide what makes your marriage a marriage for you. Atheists get married today, as do Jewish people, Muslim people, Christian people of all different denominations, and even people who don't have any religious belief, values, or affiliation whatsoever. Our government should view marriage - a federal system for which you must obtain a license - with a blind eye so ALL Americans can receive their Constitutional rights. It's not going to affect you, just as it doesn't today when different people who you will never meet get married and you never even know it.
This is by far the most popular notion I have come across in my discussions on the topic, and it is the most condescending, ignorant, and biased opinion of them all. How "nice" of you. You want us to have some rights.
Look, Plessy vs. Ferguson spells it out historically for us: separate but equal institutions are guaranteed to fail based on their flawed logic. If it's different by name, it's different by content. Civil unions DO NOT grant the same rights as marriages, and are also disdainful by principle. They symbolize a form of second-class citizenship that cannot meet the "standards" of heterosexuality. Forget that idea. Trust me, gay people don't just want same-sex marriage so they can infiltrate churches and demonize worshippers of specific religions; they, for the most part, just want to be able to have basic rights every other American possesses.
Let's move forward, America. Same-sex marriage isn't difficult to digest, understand, or accept; it's all a matter of education and tolerance.
Feel free to comment/e-mail me if you have any questions; my e-mail address is czivali1@gmail.com
