Garrison1 Matthew Garrison Ms.

Rocksted ENG 121204 15 July 2011 Same-Sex Marriage In a country that supposedly has a separation of church and state why is it that same-sex marriage is such an issue? Why is it that this is not legal and why is our country so divided over this issue? The fact that the United States of Americas founding fathers as well as a majority of todays society were and are Christian may well be one of the leading factors in why same-sex marriage is illegal. In Christianity homosexuality is considered a sin so obviously those who follow Christianity would think it unethical to allow homosexuals to marry. Another reason our country has chosen to not to legalize same-sex marriage is that many believe it would be detrimental to the tradition of family. Those of same-sex relationships cannot have children, so why let them marry? On the other side of that argument though is the fact that many heterosexuals are unable to have children as well. Should they also not be allowed to marry then? One more reason that might explain why this is such an issue is the fact that humans are a species of habit and if it has worked in the past, why not keep it this way? On the other end of the spectrum isnt it a basic constitutional right to get married? If this country does indeed have a separation of church and state, wouldnt it be unethical to deny these people their constitutional rights just because of their sexual orientation? Another thing stated in the constitution is that all men are created equal. By denying those of same-sex relationships the right to marry, we as a country are not treating them as equals.

Garrison2 Separation of church and state while looking good on paper is something that cannot always be practiced because humans are just human, flaws and all. When voting on matters it is almost impossible to separate ones set of morals and ethics learned from ones religion. A recent study conducted in 2008 shows that 76% of American adults identified themselves as Christians. To these Christians, which make up a majority of Americas population, the act of homosexuality is considered a sin. The Christian Bible states that, Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination (The Holy Bible, King James Version Leviticus 18:22). After noting this it would be neigh impossible to not let something that is considered an abomination in ones religion to affect voting on the very subject matter that is in question. To these Christians, allowing same-sex couples to get married goes against their very religion and in their eyes they would come extremely close to partaking in the sin if they were to vote to allow such a thing. Yet even considering all of this one should keep their religion out of their politics. So if this were the only deciding factor on same-sex marriage, it should definitely be allowed in this country. This is not the only deciding factor though, many who are opposed to same-sex marriage point out that it is unnatural for a family. If marriage has nothing to do with religion, but is meant to build families and raise children then wouldnt it be unnatural for same-sex couples to be allowed to marry? Allowing such a thing would serve no purpose because there is no possible way that same-sex couples can procreate and raise children. "The . . . purpose of marriage is to promote the creation of families . . . a mother, a father and children . . . same-sex couples do not fit that description . . . " (Update: Same-Sex Marriage). So in this context it does indeed make sense that allowing same-sex couples to marry should not be allowed. But in this context then wouldnt those who never planned on having children, have received a vasectomy or have had their tubes tied, and those

Garrison3 who are unable to have children due to medical reasons also not be allowed to marry? The argument in this case falls apart at that one single question. In America marriage is not about having children and raising a family. Indeed many of those who marry do indeed do these things, but that is not the object of marriage or else others would indeed be unable to marry as well. Though those who are against same-sex marriage say that marriage is sacred and we should keep it as such, marriage is not considered sacred by the average American. A recent census conducted by the United States Government shows that in 2009 there were on average 840,000 divorces and annulments in the United States, excluding data from California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, and Minnesota. If marriage is indeed considered sacred, why then is divorce legal and why are so many Americans getting divorced? Marriage, on paper, is nothing more than legal rights granted to a couple who file for a certificate. In all reality a man and a woman could get married without even knowing each other and abuse the system for jointly filed taxes. Why is this not illegal then if same-sex marriage is? Should not the average Americans wishing to get married have to do some form of background check showing that they have been together and are indeed in love or wish to start a family? After all of these concise and logical considerations it is clear that same-sex marriage should indeed be legalized as all of the grounds of argument against such a union fall apart at simple questioning. The reasons why same-sex marriages are still illegal are simply the fact that the American society is prejudice against homosexuals. Be it religious prejudice, homophobia, or the stubbornness of people set in their ways.

Garrison4 Works Cited "Update: Same-Sex Marriage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 26 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 July 2011. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i1200210>. Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela Keysar. American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS 2008). 2009. Web. 13 July 2011 <http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/americanreligionsurveyaris/reports/aris_report_2008.pdf>. The Holy Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: 1999; Bartleby.com, 2000. Office of Information Services. National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends. 7 March 2011. Web. 13 July 2011 <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/marriage_divorce_tables.htm>.