...Same sex marriage as defined in our text book, Doing Ethics, refers to the marriage in a full legal sense of gay and lesbian couples. (Vaughn 2013, p 451) Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God with Adam and Eve. According to the scripture, Matthew 19: 4-5, New Testament, Jesus reaffirms this “He answered, Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female: and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one?” However, the media is supportive and liberal in their views of views if same-sex marriage. Even the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines marriage as the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband and wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. But as the second definition, it states, the state of being united to a person of the same sex or a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Same-sex marriage is one of the most controversial issues in the world. According to our text book, Doing Ethics, William Bennett warns of the dire consequences of legalizing same sex unions. He states that “the legal union of same-sex couples would shatter the conventional definition of marriage, change the rules which govern behavior, endorse practices which are completely antithetical to the tenets (a principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy) of all the world’s major...
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...aspects of homosexuality and the gay rights movement As a student of the medical debate over homosexuality, the gay rights movement, and the Bible, I believe I have an insightful perspective on the debates over homosexuality. In the last half of the twentieth century a divisive theological debate over homosexual behavior developed when gay activists created their own revisionist interpretation of the Bible to support their claim that homosexual behavior is neither immoral nor sinful. This revisionist theology has been labeled “gay theology.” Many Christians are not aware that in 1968 a gay activist started a Christian denomination called the Metropolitan Community Church based on gay theology. In this introduction I will point out some obvious errors in gay revisionist arguments and outline a much wider scope of biblical principles that are related to how the church deals with homosexuals and the gay political movement. Scripture and gay revisionism Gay activists contend there are only seven scriptures that address homosexuality in the Bible and therefore homosexual behavior is insignificant in scripture. Gay activists also contend that theologians have misinterpreted the seven scriptures. The seven main scriptures are the Genesis account of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), the Mosaic Law in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, the letter by Jude verse 7, and the Apostle Paul’s letters in Romans 1:26-7, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:9-10. Gay activists like to point out that...
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...Powerful national media, alongside social media interest was thrust upon the Chick-fil-A restaurant franchise approximately three months ago. According to Horovitz, B. USA TODAY (2012), this all occurred after the company’s president, Dan Cathy, gave his statement to a local religious publication on same sex marriage. He is quoted as saying, “guilty as charged” in supporting the biblical definition of the family unit. (para. 2) There was a huge back lash made at the Chick-fil-A establishments from the gay rights groups calling for boycotts, and the protestors also planned a same sex Kiss-in to be done at Chick-fil-A restaurants to express their disapproval of Chick-fil-A opposing views of same sex marriage. This story went viral on different social media sites, Chick-fil-A and its owner’s perspective on same sex unions have increased the public’s appreciation for our Constitution’s First Amendment. It was seen in the eyes of many people, that the President of this popular food establishment was entitled to his opinion, be it right or wrong, because Mr. Dan Cathy had his First Amendment to back his right to voice his disapproval of same sex marriage. This right also gave strength to the Chick-fil-A adversaries causing them to fight back with organized Chick-fil-A boycotts in hopes of causing financial distress due to loss of business. However, Chick-fil-A stood strong and continued with unaffected business and was in fact benefitting from the negative PR and their customer...
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...consumers and capitalism drives our economy. Everything about our society has changed. Even for some, the definition of marriage, a covenant before God between one man and one woman, is also being challenged by gay rights activists. As man has evolved in his practice of Christianity, no longer being bound by the Mosaic law, has God changed his purpose for marriage? We know him to be, according to Psalm 102:27, a spiritual being who will never change or end. As God never changes neither does his definition of marriage. I will prove that the sanctity of marriage should be upheld as the standard of Christianity between one man and one woman. Marriage is a covenant before God. It is consummated by sexual intercourse between the man and the woman. Andreas Köstenberger, author of God, Marriage, and Family, advises on five marital concepts to which all Godly relationships must commit. First, marriage is permanent. Divorce is not an option except in certain circumstances advised by Jesus in Matthew 19:9 Those seeking to marry should seek out wise counsel. Second, marriage is sacred before God and he honors it because he created it. Next, marriage is the most intimate relationship two people can have. The “one flesh” suggests emotional and sexual intimacy as to people become one. God designed for the marriage bed to be pleasurable. Further, marriage is a selfless act. It is the concern and well-being of the other committed person. It is what Paul discussed in 1 Corinthians...
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...consumers and capitalism drives our economy. Everything about our society has changed. Even for some, the definition of marriage, a covenant before God between one man and one woman, is also being challenged by gay rights activists. As man has evolved in his practice of Christianity, no longer being bound by the Mosaic law, has God changed his purpose for marriage? We know him to be, according to Psalm 102:27, a spiritual being who will never change or end. As God never changes neither does his definition of marriage. I will prove that the sanctity of marriage should be upheld as the standard of Christianity between one man and one woman. Marriage is a covenant before God. It is consummated by sexual intercourse between the man and the woman. Andreas Köstenberger, author of God, Marriage, and Family, advises on five marital concepts to which all Godly relationships must commit. First, marriage is permanent. Divorce is not an option except in certain circumstances advised by Jesus in Matthew 19:9 Those seeking to marry should seek out wise counsel. Second, marriage is sacred before God and he honors it because he created it. Next, marriage is the most intimate relationship two people can have. The “one flesh” suggests emotional and sexual intimacy as to people become one. God designed for the marriage bed to be pleasurable. Further, marriage is a selfless act. It is the concern and well-being of the other committed person. It is what Paul discussed in 1 Corinthians...
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...Gay adoption is the adoption of children by same sex couples. Based on this topic, I’d like to look into the question “Are children adopted by gay parents more likely to have the psychological problem?” And the thesis I stated is that gay couples are able to provide a warm and normal environment for adopted children to grow up. I want to focus on this topic from the current situation of gay adoption, gay couples are capable of raising children and children adopted by gay parents are the same as those who born in heterosexual families. Nowadays, the homosexual people are coming into public view and are accepted by more and more people. It has attracted much concern to improve and protect their rights, such as the Gay-Right Movement which refers...
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...12/2/2010 Sociology Final Paper Marriage and Family The simplest and most basic foundation of a sociological civilization or group begins at the core center of sociology; which is marriage and the inner-fabric creation of a family. It is said that matches are made in heaven, however finding and defining your “soul mate” differs from one social group to the next. The social institution of marriage changes and adapts consistently through time, religious practice, and national beliefs. Many people believe they lead happy and satisfying lives without a marital partner, as others highly value and desire a life-long marital partner as the pinnacle achievement of their life. The uniqueness of marriage is that every race, class, religion, and country is involved one way or another in that social institution. One particular reason is the need to reproduce and add new members to a group. Margaret Anderson and Howard Taylor in Sociology: The Essentials mention the concept of a functionalism. Functionalism is defined as a theoretical perspective that interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. The creation and upbringing of a son or daughter in a marriage fulfills society’s needs. Whether the upbringing of a child is conducted properly and positively varies by family, but sexual reproduction accomplishes the selfless task of adding to a society. The traditional Functionalist Theory in the United States of America interprets...
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...HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHRISTIANITY 3 Working Outline I. The term homosexuality is frequently use to describe both orientation and behavior. (Main idea). A. People often use the terms sexual identity and sexual orientation interchangeably. 1. Sexual identity relates to individual expression of feelings. whether heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual involved in the metabolic processes of the brain and body. a. Heterosexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to the opposite sex. b. Homosexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to the same sex. c. Bisexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to same and opposite sex. 2. Sexual orientation describes the direction and focus of sexual and emotional attractions experienced by a person. a. Sexual direction and focus b. Emotional attraction and focus B. Many myths surrounding homosexuality exist and they need to be corrected. Here are five essential myths (First subordinate idea). 1. Perhaps the most destructive is the beliefs that homosexuals are child molesters. a. A homosexual can molest a child. b. A heterosexual can molest a chld. 2. The belief that homosexuals are promiscuous and incapable of long-term committed monogamous relationships. c. This is a general statement that shows no knowledge of this particular population...
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...Gays in Society and the Effects on the Military Sean M. Czuchaj Introduction to Anthropology 101 Professor Michelle McBrady October 15, 2013 When it comes to homosexuals in society there are great many misguided opinions and active prejudices amongst the people around the world. More often than not those that associate themselves as being gay, lesbian, or even bisexual are chastised amongst their peers. The focus of this paper is to present an opinion as well as facts in a variety of subjects and how gays relate to them. Also to show the affect that gays have had on the military and policy changes that have positively impacted homosexuals. In many cultures, homosexual people are regularly the focus of bigotry and discrimination. Like those that associate themselves with many other minority groups they are the articles of prejudice, they are also the focus of stereotyping, which further adds to the “freezing out” from society. The prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping are all representations of forms of homophobia and heterosexism (or bigotry towards homosexuals), these can include negative assertiveness, prejudice, and discrimination in favor of heterosexuality and relationships. Heterosexism can embrace the belief that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex allures and relationships are normal and consequently superior. Homophobia is a fear of, loathing towards, or discrimination against homosexual people. There are a number of different...
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... 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION I. BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY 1. Biblical View of Sexuality 2. Old Testament on Homosexuality 2a. Stories of Sodom and Gibeah 2b. Levitical Texts 3. New Testament on Homosexuality 3a. Paul’s Statements in Romans 3b. Other Pauline Texts II. BIOLOGY AND HOMOSEXUALITY III. LAW AND HOMOSEXUALITY IV. CHURCH AND THE HOMOSEXUAL CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY 2 INTRODUCTION On 2nd July 2009, in a landmark judgement, the Delhi High Court struck down the provision of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalised consensual sexual acts of adults in private, holding that it violated the fundamental right of life and liberty and the right to equality as guaranteed in the Constitution. Pronouncing the order in Naz Foundation (India) Trust v. Government of NCT, Delhi and Others, Writ Petition (Civil) No. 7455 of 2001, a division bench of Chief Justice A.P Shah and Justice S. Murlidhar said “We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.” While gay-rights movements have welcomed and celebrated the judgement, various religious and cultural groups have expressed their concern. A petition has been filed...
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...In the contemporary dispute over homosexuality within the Church, how and in what balance can the Anglican three-legged stool of Scripture, tradition and reason be used as a starting point for the benefit of the whole Church and gay and lesbian people in particular? The issue of homosexuality is a vital one for all churches. The Anglican Church is one of those that contains proponents on both sides of the argument and one of the ways it has viewed revelation is to see it being arrived at through a three fold cord- Scripture, tradition and reason. The essay’s main concern will be with experience and the dialogue of the interpretive community. This is because in an area of strong disagreement dialogue and the interpreters themselves are the keys to how both Scripture and tradition should be used. Natural law seems to be philosophically dead and yet the naturalness of an act is still used by some as an argument against homosexuality. As for science, it has offered no firm conclusions about why some people are homosexual. Therefore this essay will not cover these areas. SCRIPTURE “Slavery seeks refuge in the Bible only in its last extremity…. Goaded to frenzy in its conflicts with conscience and common sense, … it courses up and down the Bible, ‘seeking rest and finding none.’ The law of love, glowing on every page, flashes through its anguish and despair.” (Theodore Dwight Weld, The Bible Against Slavery: or, An Inquiry into the Genius of the Mosaic System, and the Teaching...
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...Same Sex Marriage? Ban Same Sex Marriage The Ultimate web site providing information on the issues. We should be anti-gay marriage, and should ban gay same sex marriages and such practices. Pro-Family Groups in Connecticut Rally Voters to Overturn Court's Gay 'Marriage' Ruling" Pro-family activists in Connecticut are urging the people of the state to vote yes for a constitution convention when they head for the polls on Nov. 4. Though the 4-3 split decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court on Friday effectively redefined marriage in the state, Connecticuters will have the opportunity to have the final say if enough voters rally behind a call for the state legislature to convene a state constitution convention. Every twenty years, under the state constitution, the ballot question "Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the state?" is placed on the ballot for consideration. This year marks Connecticut's 220th since its admission to the Union in 1788. The Court's willingness to undemocratically impose same-sex marriage on Connecticut has made it necessary for us to demand the right to Let the People Decide, expressed Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut (FIC), in a press release following Friday's high court decision. And that is why thousands of us will vote 'yes' for a constitutional convention on November 4th." If enough votes are found to favor a convention, it will be incumbent...
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...is an ever present problem in today's society. But in taking a deeper look at the substantial issue, is one of its main sources of instigation from religion? There is imbalance in the way in which men and women are treated and respected in the Bible. And despite the blatancy of this concern, studies conducted on the disparity in religion, culture, and gender are still relatively new. In Mallory Nye's Religion: The Basics, Darlene Juschka comments, "it is evident that some fields of study are less receptive to feminist perspectives...The study of religion has been one of those disciplines." There is a lack of recognition and awareness for the issue, mostly due to androcentrism. Although this will be discussed in further detail later on, it is important to understand this concept as a point of reference. Androcentrism denotes that the male perspective is held at the central point of one's world view and therefore holds great weight for why the female perspective has not been properly acknowledged. But the Bible is not the only source of gender prejudice. Greek mythology encompasses similar distinctions in sexual orientation and their respective male and female role imbalance in society. Despite...
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...Homosexual Parenting Heterosexism is defined as the assumption that heterosexuality is the dominant sexual orientation or lifestyle, while the term homophobia is defined as a sense of disgust, hatred and 2 negative feeling toward men or women who are attracted to individuals of the same sex (Dreyer, 2007). In 1973, the American Psychological Association eliminated homosexuality from the list of psychological disorders. It is hard to imagine that prior to this, it was common for gay individuals to be ordered into mental asylums or involuntary confinements and be diagnosed as psychologically unwell, simply because they were attracted to individuals of the same sex (Hawkes & Scott, 2005). Historically, homosexuality was considered a crime in regions such as South Australia up until 1972 and was only removed as being an act of transgression in 1997 (Hawkes & Scott, 2005). However, as a result of a shift in societal beliefs, attitudes and the removal of unfair laws against same sex couples, gay individuals are no longer perceived as negatively as they had been in the past. Nevertheless, the desire of same-sex couples wanting to be parents has continued to be a contentious issue. In fact, homosexual parenting has always been a controversial and discussed topic in Western culture. For many years, same-sex parents have been scrutinized because of societal beliefs that same-sex parenting jeopardizes the wellbeing of the child. Studies on homosexual parenting were...
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...identities, gender roles, sexual orientation, pleasure, intimacy, and instigates procreation. Though, sexuality is experienced and expressed through thoughts, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, roles, behaviours, and relationships; it is greatly influenced by societies, cultures, historical perspectives, religious perspectives, biological forces, psychological theories, ethics, morals, and legal factors. In the United States, known as the “melting pot” because of the mass amounts of cultural influences brought in by immigrants worldwide that now reside on its land; one of the biggest concerns in regards to sexuality are the social and public health challenges that influence sexual behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs. Sexual behavior in not just a personal matter between two people, but rather a theme that can affect society in terms of social expectations for sexual behaviors, gender identity, roles, stereotypes, and bias. Social Expectations on Sexual Behaviors “Sexuality is an important part of our lives” (King, 2012, p.1), currently and amongst the generations before us. Throughout history, sexual behaviours have been largely influenced by culture, religion, and historical perspectives which in turn created social expectations or social norms. Social expectations vary from culture to culture as well as within subcultures. “These cultural practices, values, norms, and traditions have strong influences on the visible aspects of individual behaviors and are important determinants...
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