The anti-equality side is arguing against marriage equality by claiming (1) homosexuals can't procreation (2) kids with homosexual parents turn out badly.
(1) Procreation
This is technically true. A homosexual couple cannot, on their own, reproduce. Fortunately, this doesn't get those against marriage equality where they want to go and produces very disastrous consequences that show the absurdity of the position. It's not even difficult to argue against this.
Here are some people who can get married and cannot reproduce:
-Disabled
-Old women, and maybe a few old men
-Felons (no sex in prison)
-Infertile
So, if this argument is accepted, and those who cannot procreate are banned from marriage, it will not just affect homosexuals. It will affect all of these other groups as well!
For example, a 60 year old woman would not be allowed to marry anyone. She can no longer reproduce. However, a 60 year old man can marry a woman, but she must be of child-bearing age. Furthermore, the government would also have to test for infertility, and if an individual was so on account of surgery (vasectomy or tying tubes), or just a bad luck of the draw, they could not be married. Accepting this position leads to an increase in state power, something conservatives (not libertarians, who are more consistent) constantly decry while also advocating.
So, for the sake of simplicity and limited government, support marriage equality while you still have a chance to redeem the judgment history will cast if you oppose equal rights for all.
(2) Kids
This is ad hominem and has no research to back it up. It's a pathetically weak point. For those still buying into this twaddle, I'll link this article that cites empirical data to show kids of homosexual parents are no worse than those with heterosexual parents, even though the claim is prima facie absurd on its own. http://www.salon.com/2012/09/04/gay_cou … pier_kids/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We are on the verge of a new era on marriage equality, the tide has shifted, not just in the US but all through the developed world and even large parts of the developing world. I am so glad. It's important we keep the work up and not get complacent on the issue, keep showing the arguments for what they are, not worthy of that title.
I like seeing something like this change in my lifetime. It gives me hope for the future.
It would be a mistake for the Supreme Court out of timidity and fear of a backlash to duck the Constitutional issue of marriage equality. I remember seeing "Impeach Earl Warren" billboards on highways across the Midwest as a result of his courageous but controversial desegregation, First Amendment and voting rights decisions.
Well, I doubt Alito, Thomas, or Scalia will rule in favor of equality, and they will pay through history.
What I don't know is if Kennedy and Roberts will support gay rights.
I hope they rule in favor of equality. Most people can't believe I'm in favor of gay marriage, but I am.
In truth, the best option would to be to get government out of the marriage business. Have the government issue civil union licenses to any consenting adults(minus the obvious exceptions), and let marriage be a private matter people do on their own or through a church.
Well you are more of a libertarian right? So I'm glad to have you as an ally on this, and it does not surprise me you favor equality or getting government out of the marriage business completely.
Yeah, I am more of a libertarian(not Libertarian). People just assume since I liked Romney over Obama that I'm a toe-the-line Republican Bush-lover.
My two favorite arguments against gay marriage:
1 - "It's contrary to traditional American values!"
Response = Treating blacks as property used to be a traditional American value. That doesn't mean it was right.
2 - "It's an assault on the family, traditional marriage is the cornerstone of society."
Response = You should be campaigning to make adultery, divorce, and porn all illegal, because they do far more to attack the 'traditional' family that has a >50% divorce rate.
I heard somebody today say "I don't want to make gay marriage legal, or any marriage for that matter. Get the government out of it". Somes up the issue for me.
IMO, it's easier just to legalize gay marriage. I don't want a complete lack of marriage/civil unions. If we get rid of marriage then we should have civil unions.
It's much easier to get married or unionized than to spend thousands with lawyers working on wills, power of attorney, etc etc etc...
Personally, "it's just easier" has never been a particularly convincing argument, especially from a libertarian point of view. Then there is the moral hazard of essentially discriminating against single people.
One of government's legitimate roles, in my opinion, is to assist in the enforcement of contracts. I really don't have a problem with that.
I'm not sure what the discrimination against single people would be.
I will admit though, it's not a subject that I've spent a ton of time thinking about, so implications like that I simply haven't considered. I do appreciate the input, I'm sure my views will continue to change until the day I die.
#3. "It's an assault on the Biblical tradition of marriage!"
And so is monogamy. And so is treating your wives like people instead of property. And so is any marriage that isn't arranged. And so is marrying a woman who isn't a virgin.
The future should be like this forum. No debate over the legitimacy of gays being allowed to marry. It will be settled because it's an obvious violation of equal rights to do otherwise.
This case has nothing to do with marriage. Talk all they want , what this amounts to is whether or not the vote of the people is valid or not. I don't think the court will rule on it. They will send it back down,because it is a states rights issue.
Now tomorrows case may be more of what you are looking for. If they redefine marriage I believe polygamy has a stronger case historically than gay marriage. Justice Sodamyor pointed that out today.
I don't know if it is really a states rights issues though. If a man marries a woman, that marriage is recognized in all 50 states.
Therefore, if a man marries a man in New York, shouldn't that marriage also be recognized automatically in all 50 states. A legal marriage in one state should be recognized in all 50 states regardless of the makeup of the couple.
Additionally, I don't really care if a man has 5 wives or a woman has 4 husbands. As long as they all agree to be in the relationship and can take care of any kids produced.
Yup I am fine with polygamy too so long as all are adults and consenting. I don't see why all these supposedly freedom loving conservatives want to tell people who they can marry, it's increasingly ridiculous.
Marriage equality is no more a state issue than racial equality all citizens deserve and will receive equal rights under the law and should not be forced to leave their homes and jobs to find it.
Of course. Maximize freedom.
As long as there is no abuse and everyone is consenting, I see no problems from a legal standpoint.
What happens when they aren't consenting? Who decides what consenting means? What about Sharia law. How will this go over with that?
Yes, but it doesn't apply in this country.
No consent nothing happens. Consent has a legal definition that includes age, mental acuity etc.
What about Sharia law? It's irrelevant to this conversation and we do not live under it.
One could consent to live under sharia law and it would be binding. Until it required something illegal, like stoning someone.
I don't know why that is so hard to grasp. If someone wants to live under a certain system, they can. If they don't want to live under a certain social order, they have the right to seek out a different situation. Seems easy enough.
Unless you are forced to stay against your will, but that could never happen. Right?
You can also say that about "straight" marriages can't you? I didn't know the US had adopted Sharia law?
No one is thinking about the effect that condoning homosexuality in our society will have on children. If it is abomination to God, it is an abomination to them. Lets just keep it the way it was meant to be. Men loving women, women loving men. Are four balls really better? Are four breasts really better? Thats what the kids will be wondering!
ITT: Kathryn believes marriage is purely about reproductive sex and that marriage based on love is irrelevant. Also, Kathryn openly hates old people and infertile people, as well as hermaphrodites and eunuchs.
And if your argument contains the word "Bible," then your argument is meaningless, as the commandment against homosexuality comes from the same book that says:
- Disobedient children should be bludgeoned to death
- Men who rape little girls can pay the girl's father $50 to not only be absolved of the crime, but to also make the girl his wife, no matter how young she is
- Wearing two different kinds of fabrics is punishable by death
- Do you eat pork? You're dead, too.
- Women who question their husbands? Out you go, and have a couple hundred rocks to the face until you die.
As it is not an abomination to God, there is no reason to think it is an abomination to children, either.
But wait. You refer to your god, don't you? But that is irrelevant - that their god does not find it an abomination is what matters to them. What your god thinks, or what you think either, matters not one iota.
How about you worry about your children and I'll worry about mine?
Children starving to death is an abomination. War is an abomination. Armed shooters in schools is an abomination.
Two guys making out? That doesn't even make an appearance on my "bad sh*t that happens" list.
So I'll go ahead and teach my kids that in a world where there is so much pain and hatred, any love is, indeed, good love.
You refer to "condoning" homosexuality like it is akin to murder, or child abuse, or rape. Same sex relationships take place between two consenting adults. There's no abuse of power, it is not evil.
Kathryn, do you consider same sex relationships like you would murder, rape or child abuse? And if so, why?
It is a bad example. Life should be about sex for the sake of reproducing life. It is deviated from what is natural. Maybe they should just stay in the closet. That's what they get. Don't get me wrong, I like the gay people I know. I just wish they weren't gay.
Can't help it... I am very honest. And I can't get around my own honesty with myself. I would tell them to their face... what I am saying here.
I guess those of us without children are second class citizens then. People are born how they are... I don't remember choosing to be heterosexual...
You don't like it... don't be gay. People should never have to hide who they are to appease someone else...
Not too many humans are living up to the old "mating for life" thing now are they?
By your theory, God created homosexuals. So, how can they be immoral?
Simple, they are committing abominable acts against the laws of nature.
Lol. Yeah because every other species practices homosexuality, and that is UNNATURAL? Your ignorance of biology is amusing.
If the Christian God is perfect, he can or could only create perfect beings....gay or straight.... Any other way, that God is not perfect and is flawed.
Clearly you have yet to run into any of the infamous Two-Word Christian Cop-Out Answers for these kinds of questions.
Why does evil exist? Free will.
Why do innocent people die? God's judgement.
Why does God make imperfect people? Original sin.
That's apparently what your church tells you. My church (Episcopal) until he retired recently had an openly gay bishop living in a long term committed gay relationship.
I do not think God created homosexuals. I really do not.
God created humans to mate for life with a member of the opposite sex. Humans are free to choose how to behave.
"God's Wrath" is not a human emotion. It is intrinsically built into the system, so, there is a natural consequence to defying the laws of nature, our opinions notwithstanding.
"there is a natural consequence"
Yes there is a natural consequence of same sex marriage--a long lasting, loving relationship, in some cases providing a good home for natural or adopted children.
It's amazing to me what people think. How would anyone argue against children being raised in a loving home environment by two people who love each other? Look at how many are raised in homes with a man and woman who yell and argue and hate each other, but stay together for the 'sake of the children'. To me, that is sick and sad for the children.
That's warped. Do you understand what is good for children to know? It is not natural or right.
Based on what your expertise on children? All data indicates children raised by gay couples are just as if not more healthy, academically successful and mentally healthy.
As for natural or right that is complete rubbish it is absolutely natural in all higher animals homosexuality is common and it has been throughout human history, it was upon a time not only tolerated but considered completely unremarkable, that was in the first blossoming of human civilization under the ancient Greeks, then we had a dark age and the church decided it could tell people what is natural or right... based on their no knowledge what so ever.
Please provide a shred of credible proof that knowing about gay people is bad for children.
1. Give me a break. There are no extensive definitive studies on the subject.
2. Don't leave out the other abhorrent pagan societies that once embraced the errant practice. Like I said, it is the result of captivity. These "great civilizations " that you speak of were the first human zoos. Man began to engage in behaviors that only captive animals display.
Extensive 25 year study, try educating yourself a bit :
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/c … 1/349.full
Those great civilizations lead to the greatest period in human history for thousands of years, in wealth, int he arts, in philosophy and the recapturing of the values and idea of that age lead to the Renaissance you can call them a human zoo if you want (you are entirely wrong) but they were factually more successful and advanced than the societies which did not allow it.
Ignorance piled upon ignorance does not make an argument.
Knowing about gay people is one thing. Teaching that it is normal is another. The truth stands by itself. It is wrong to teach a child that deviant behavior is acceptable. It is a grave disservice.
At what? The the best living standards in human history? The highest life expectancies in human history? The era in human history with the lowest crime rates? All of those things centered especially around areas where homosexuality is accepted, yeah looking around really convinced me
Oh yes and acceptance of homosexuality is demographically based in more economically successful and educated people, obviously has been really bad for them
You're kidding, right? Most thinking people now realize that the god(s) of the ancient peoples were but a myth, not real. To declare that god created anything is nothing more than a statement that your personal beliefs are factual - something that you have no idea is true or not.
God's wrath is not a human emotion, true. It is instead little but a phrase used to scare people enough to control them better.
As far as anyone - anyone at all - "defying the laws of nature", well, it has never been done. No one floats in the air, no one walks on water, etc. No one will ever "defy the laws of nature", your opinion notwithstanding.
Why is homosexuality found in every species? God deserves to be fired.
Some interesting facts about marriage in the US.
http://www.mckinleyirvin.com/blog/divor … tatistics/
And what a shock. Those who protest too much about "defending" the institution might do well not be throwing stones out of their glass bedrooms. We can see you in there!
What God has joined, let no man put asunder, eh?
2008 voter data shows that “red” states (states that tend to vote Republican), have higher divorce rates than “blue” states (states that tend to vote Democrat).
The Barna Research Group measured divorce statistics by religion. They found that 29 percent of Baptists are divorced (the highest for a US religious group), while only 21 percent of atheists/agnostics were divorced (the lowest).
I feel no need to elaborate. I have remained quiet on the subject, but those who know me well simply KNOW that I support marriage equality and have for years.
And... you know what? You can not change my stance on that. I have been that way for a minimum of three decades, lol.
Marquis, the one who believes in antiquated, outdated nonsense.
Nope, perversion is telling others what they can do with those they love.
Next, people will want to marry their dog.
Zelkiiro, you are discussing the subject at hand intelligently; however, someone else decided to take the thread and respond to it on an entirely other level. What is he "thinking"? What?
By the way, everyone knows where I stand regarding the gay marriage issue- + a multillion percent!
I have a photo of someone holding the same message on a sign in protest against interracial marriage.
My, my.This thread has gotten really threadbare since I last visited.
People have actually married their dogs and no one made a big deal about it. People hold weddings for dogs, cats, everything under the sun and no one complains about it destroying marriage... A woman in the US has married a number of inanimate objects yet no one is screaming...
But, of course, marriage equity is allowing two consenting adults who are in love get married.
Funny when it came to marriage I thought the Bible in this country read:
The King James Bible
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
Meaning that marriage was God's domain
No, it means that Christians as a group claim it to be God's domain; that they want control over it. Nothing unusual there, religions typically want control over nearly every aspect of a person's life, but nothing of real value, either.
Followers of Allah say the same thing, as do most religions (although, of course, with a different god in mind).
Who does not want control over everything and everybody?
The vast majority of the people are not in control.
Certainly not I.
With control comes responsibility and duty, and the more control the more of each. While I understand that many people will declare that their responsibility ends by hand the controlled one a bible or repeatedly quoting from it, I cannot agree. Neither the responsibility nor duty is something I want or accept.
You are certainly free to think and believe as you choose unfortunately however the greed of mankind has been legendary throughout history.
The question has been presented before "How Much Is Enough?"
Yes, greed has been legendary, including greed for control of others.
Doesn't make it right, though, just sad that such control is still exerted just for the sake of control. Governments often do it for money - politicians get rich from being in office - but religions do it simply for control. To force others to live the lifestyle considered "proper".
Not only that but in many civilizations marriage was entirely secular, one might call for good fortune on the couple from a god but it was not his authority that made a marriage but that of the individuals or families involved.
Some, but not all Christians. Some support marriage equality. The
Bible is full of anachronistic, contradictory, uncivilized things that have nothing to do with basic Christian beliefs.
For Christians. We have a separation between church and state so that is irrelevant to the law.
Without the Bible to back up the nonsensical opposition to marriage equality, the Supreme Court hearings on gay marriage have revealed the feebleness of their arguments.
Procreation? LOL. Just goes to show religion has been masking an absurd position for a really long time.
by Grace Marguerite Williams 8 years ago
How do you feel about marriage equality? For? Against? Why?
by Akriti Mattu 9 years ago
Personally, i feel it's a huge leap forward. What are your views ?
by Scott Belford 29 hours ago
The Conservatives on the Supreme Court stuck a knife in the back of all Americans with their decision to ignore stare decises and overturn Roe. Besides stripping women of a fundemental right to control their own body (now, in some states, a 13-year old rape victim with be FORCED to carry the...
by Readmikenow 6 months ago
Gaetz, Stefanik offer resolution declaring Trump ‘did not engage in insurrection’Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) unveiled a resolution Tuesday that declares former President Trump “did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.”The resolution — which...
by Readmikenow 2 months ago
The Supreme Court ruled Monday in Trump v. United States that a former president has substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office, but not for unofficial acts.In a 6-3 decision, the Court sent the matter back down to a lower court, as the justices did not apply...
by Willette 12 years ago
What does Marriage equality mean to you/Some homsexuals base their right to marry on marriage equality. What do you think? To me it means everybody will have an equal right to marry?
Copyright © 2024 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. HubPages® is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.
Copyright © 2024 Maven Media Brands, LLC and respective owners.
As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.
For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy
Show DetailsNecessary | |
---|---|
HubPages Device ID | This is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons. |
Login | This is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service. |
Google Recaptcha | This is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy) |
Akismet | This is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy) |
HubPages Google Analytics | This is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy) |
HubPages Traffic Pixel | This is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized. |
Amazon Web Services | This is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy) |
Cloudflare | This is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Hosted Libraries | Javascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy) |
Features | |
---|---|
Google Custom Search | This is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Maps | Some articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Charts | This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy) |
Google AdSense Host API | This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Google YouTube | Some articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Vimeo | Some articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Paypal | This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Facebook Login | You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Maven | This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy) |
Marketing | |
---|---|
Google AdSense | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Google DoubleClick | Google provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Index Exchange | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Sovrn | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Facebook Ads | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Amazon Unified Ad Marketplace | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
AppNexus | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Openx | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Rubicon Project | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
TripleLift | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Say Media | We partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy) |
Remarketing Pixels | We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites. |
Conversion Tracking Pixels | We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service. |
Statistics | |
---|---|
Author Google Analytics | This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy) |
Comscore | ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy) |
Amazon Tracking Pixel | Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy) |
Clicksco | This is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy) |