Same-Sex Marriage - Term Paper Example

Same sex marriage Introduction Same sex marriage happens when two people belonging to the same gender marry. Lesbianism happens when two females marry whereas gay marriage is a union between two males. Although same sex marriage has been allowed in several states in the US and other countries, it is worth noting that scholars have not come to an agreement on whether same sex marriage should be legal or not. Even though the Roman Catholic is totally against same sex marriage, some priests and bishops practicing the religion have been in support of the same. Roman Catholic position When God created Adam, He realized that he was lonely, and thus he needed a companion. However, God did not create another man to stay with Adam. He gave Adam, a woman, Eve. This shows that God meant that man should not marry another man under all circumstances. Since the catholic teachings are based on the bible, agreeing to same sex marriage is going against the bible, which is a sin (New Jerusalem Bible, Gen. 1.27). According to the Roman Catholic, same sex marriage is a sin that should not be allowed under any circumstances. Marriage and sex is solely for procreation but when two people of the same sex are married, procreation cannot be achieved. This means that, in addition to being against the teachings of the bible, it destroys the family unit. Marriage is the foundation of all family lives and it should be respected. Allowing same sex marriage will result in childless unions hence family tree will not continues (Smith). The catholic argument is valid because the bible does not approve same sex marriage. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the sexual sins that were committed in those towns, which included practicing homosexuality. God created man with the sole purpose of bearing children to fill the earth and worship Him. He never approved sexual unions that could not bear any children (New Jerusalem Bible, Gen. 19.1-34). Gay people are discriminated in the US. However, the bible teaches us that we should treat all the people equally irrespective of their positions in the society. This is the main reason why catholic bishops in the US have been against the treatment that the gay community receives in the country. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recognizes the rights of the gay community but it does not approve its activities (Martin). This amounts to contradiction because one should not be concerned about a person who she or he despises. It ought to be understood that by going against gay community activities, the Catholic is discriminating them. All people should be allowed to lead comfortable lives and practice whatever they believe is right. God has the authority to judge and the relationship between a person and his God is what is important. What the society says about a person is not important because a person can never be perfect to all the people in the society. The Roman Catholic Church should explain why it does not support some of the things that were practiced in the bible such as slavery and polygamy. This is because the two were allowed but the church is strongly against them today (Salzman and Lawler 15). Those for Same Sex Marriage According to William C. Mattison, a human’s heart is ever restless as it seeks for true happiness, which is guaranteed in the bible. The bible and the Roman Catholic teach that one should lead a happy and fruitful life irrespective of what that person is going through. This happiness is achieved after one has known the truth. Restlessness results to desires, which a person has to seek in order to settle down. Mattison describes morality as the desires that different people have in their lives. A good and happy life is being able to do whatever a person wants. This includes practicing same sex marriage, if that is what makes a person happy (Mattison 12). On the other hand, Salzman and Lawler argue that change is inevitable and it cannot be universal. They further say that one should not judge a human being based on acts of the past because that judge does not know the entire past of human kind. This means that no one knows exactly what used to happen in the past so people are at liberty to do what they feel is right as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. The two authors argue that Roman Catholic interpret their understanding of the natural law from things that were interpreted by others about the nature that we live in. Although culture, the way that people understand their lives, may remain unchanged for a very long time, it is worth noting that it could be in the process of changing albeit slowly. Theology is part of culture and thus it should be dynamic. This means that theological practices that are against homosexuality should change with the changing times and allow for same sex marriage. God gave man autonomy to live in a certain way that is for self-realization using reason and thought as tool of the present that will determine the future (Salzman and Lawler 12). The Roman Catholic catechism teaches three principles, which are reflection, guidelines for actions and criteria for judgment which were enshrined in the church by Pope Pius XII. This model promotes personal responsibility but at the same time underscoring the responsibility of any given individual. This gives each person the guidelines through which she or he can respond to the church from his or her intellectual abilities and human science discoveries. This shows that the church acts as a guide to the believer but the final decision of the action plan is left to the believer. This leads to the conclusion that a person should be left to make choices about his or her life. The bible is made up of words from God but it does not mean that it is not open to interpretation. This means that the bible does not indicate a definite moral position such as practice of slavery, polygamy, or divorce is correct neither does it mean that homosexuality is banned (Salzman and Lawler 13). Those who are for same sex marriage show that according to the bible, homosexuality is not prohibited. This is because a man should lead a fulfilling life and this cannot be achieved if he cannot do some of the things that he thinks will make him happy. The heart will ever be restless as it seeks for happiness and this happiness is promised in the bible. Man should be allowed to make choice on what to do with his or her life. In addition, several acts that were allowed in the bible are not practiced today. Polygamy and slavery were rampant in several societies mentioned in the bible. However, today the Roman Catholic Church does not allow the practice of the two mentioned acts. This means that the world is changing and the church ought to change with the times (Mattison 38). At the same time, same sex marriage supporters do not explain to the readers what will happen to the family unit. An ideal family has to have parents and a child or children. However, a same sex marriage is unable to produce children, which will lead to situation whereby the family will not be complete. Moreover, they do not explain why other species have not taken the path taken by human beings if this is naturally correct. Although other species engage in sex for recreation only, at least changes should have been seen which could have resulted in males mounting other males. Conclusion Change is inevitable as witnessed in the bible. The bible, especially the Old Testament approved acts like slavery and polygamy. However, the Catholic Church, which bases its doctrines on the bible, does not approve the practice of those acts. However, homosexuality, which was not allowed in the bible, is vehemently opposed by the church. This shows that the church is dynamic on certain issues but static on others. The church should acknowledge the existence of homosexuality and approve same sex marriage. The church should only guide the flock but let everyone to make his or her final decision. Works cited Martin, James. “In All Things. USCCB Letter on Same-Sex Marriage and ENDA.” May 19, 2010. Web. 06 June 2012. Mattison, William C. Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues. London: Brazos Press, 2008. Print. Salzman, Todd A. and Lawler, Michael G. The Sexual Person: Toward a Renewed Catholic Anthropology. New York: Georgetown University Press. (2006). print. Smith, Rebecca. ‘The Telegraph. Bishop of Shrewsbury: Gay marriage is attack on family.” 04 Jun 2012. Web. 06 June 2012. The New Jerusalem Bible. Ed. Susan Jones. New York: Doubleday, 1985. Print. Read More