mormon
Inner Conflict Concerning Gay Marriage
—by Paul
You may have already heard, but the California Supreme Court upheld the decision of its citizens today by not striking down proposition 8. However, they did state that they would still recognize the 18,000+ gay marriages that happened before the amendment took place.
Upon the ruling, the LDS Church issued a press release. Here is a paragraph I particularly liked from the release:
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the deeply held feelings on both sides, but strongly affirms its belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The bedrock institution of marriage between a man and a woman has profound implications for our society. These implications range from what our children are taught in schools to individual and collective freedom of religious expression and practice.”
I like this statement because it helps feed the debate that rages on within me concering this issue. Often, I have been wondering if it is right or not to restrict people from rights that others have. You can’t make an argument that it is right for someone to murder but not someone else. Either everyone has the right or no one has it.
Also, I look back at the last 100 years with the great power of retrospect and see that there was not a single issue that harmed our society when we gave rights to a minority. For me, I wonder how much gay marriages differ?
Personally, I think homosexuality is not genetically or religiously right. On the scientific angle, when you impede the process of passing on DNA from one generation to the next, you genetically harm the species. Religiously, we can see that all historical religious text (Bible or non-Christian canon) condemn the act of homosexuality.
However, it seems that all these lines become blurry when you talk about people’s rights. Does someone have the right to be an alcoholic? As long as they do not hurt someone else—unequivocally yes.
I guess for me, gay marriage does cross the line of infringing on others rights. As stated by the LDS Church, allowing gay marriage in our society causes problems that “….range from what our children are taught in schools to individual and collective freedom of religious expression and practice.”
I do not agree with homosexuality and do not want my children to be taught that it is okay. I also do not want to be punished by the government because I chose to believe that homosexuality is a grievous sin.
Honestly, I cannot see a resolution that is possible to appease both sides. As I look at all the facts and arguments, I have to wonder if history will see me on the same side as those who fought against women and blacks from having equal rights. I hope this is not the case, but even if it is, my children will know that I fought for them to have the right to not have a loud minority redefine what they believe is right or wrong.