I truly believe that marriage is a beautiful gift. Further more I believe that marriage between a man and a woman is the only union that God accepts. I believe that he created man and woman different for many different reasons, one of the reasons is so that they can procreate, another of the reasons is to support each other, learn from each other, and encourage each other in ways that someone of the same sex is incapable of. I also believe that two people can be happier than they ever thought possible if they enter into a loving marriage and work to keep it that way. Marriage can be a great source of happiness to a couple and a family.
That being said I suppose one would think that I fully support Proposition 8 or rather that I disagree with homosexual marriage. This could not be farther from the truth.
I strongly believe that any couple committed to one another has every right in the world to be monogamous with their special loved one. Any couple which is committed to each other has just as much right to express that love through the bond of marriage, just like I enjoy. Like I already expressed above I do not agree that God honors homosexual marriages (I have read scriptures and do believe they are truthful); however I see no sin in letting two people in love marry here on earth. After all, if they cannot enjoy each others commitment in God’s presence why should they not enjoy it in this life?
I know there have been a lot of arguments made that ‘we are destroying the family foundation by allowing homosexual marriage’. This is also something I disagree with. In my mind I see no reasoning in how a gay couple can ruin the family unit, unless a particular family allows the union of homosexual marriage to influence their family. So what about children? One of God’s first laws, to replenish the earth, I think has been nicely taken care of. There is no more need for that. Secondly, those who believe children should be raised by both a daddy and a mommy because that is the basis of a family unit I couldn’t agree more with. I think the reason behind raising children with a daddy and mommy also means having a daddy and mommy who love each other and show that loving affection towards each other outwardly. I think it also means that a child has two sources of love to look toward, two examples to grow and learn from, and someone from which they can learn a patriarchal and matriarchal role from. But this is the basis of a family unit. That being said, the only way a homosexual couple could not qualify for this position is that they cannot procreate (which can be handled through adoption), and that MORE LIKELY THAN NOT they cannot show through their behavior the difference in patriarchal and matriarchal roles. Typically, two men will have more testosterone than a man and a woman and perhaps the child will feel it did not grow up with a mother figure. HOWEVER, I believe that many homosexual couples each have a feminine and masculine side, and the child can still grow up feeling it had both a father and a mother figure. Ask yourself this question. Were you forced to give up your child for adoption would you rather give it to a single parent home, or a committed homosexual couple? If you answered a single parent home, re-read the above statements and re-think your answer. Because a single parent home is even less likely to meet any of those requirements that make the basis of a family unit.
Now let’s move on to Proposition 8. Personally, I’m disgusted that it passed. Let me put you inside my mind and inside someone else’s shoes. Say that you’ve been happily married for 5 years. Maybe not a long time, you’ve had your ups and downs as in any marriage, but you’ve been happy. You have adopted a child, or a few pets that you treat as your children. All of a sudden, in one night your marriage has now been revoked. The commitment you’ve made to your spouse in null. Nothing you can do will stop it. It is neither of your faults. It’s the law. But who would pass such a law? How do you feel? What is going through your head? How could people hate you so much that they want to take away your commitment to each other? What kind of un-caring people would do such a thing?
Do you have an answer? I do. (This is the part where I hope not to offend.) Christian groups. These are groups of people who proclaim to be Christ-like. These are groups of people who proclaim to be tolerant of others. These are groups of people who claim not to judge others, no matter their race, religion, background, or morals. These are groups of people who are supposed to be the ones that the rest of the world looks to for guidance. These are groups of people so willing to follow Christ that many are willing to completely give up earthly pleasures. And yet, these groups judge homosexuals and make decisions for them because homosexuals believe in something or feel something that these groups don’t, something that they are confused about. And where is Christ in that? When has Christ said “Shew thy brother out, for he is different from thee”, or “Be a judge unto your brother for he is sick in his mind and cannot think straight”, or “Make choices to ruin thy brother’s happiness, because his happiness is different from thine”. When did Christ appoint us judges? Didn’t he preach “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”?
Now, if I still have your attention, I’m not saying that all of you are judging homosexuals. Many are some are not. But wouldn’t it be better to let every person decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong, let them practice their freedom that so many have fought and died for, and let God be the judge in the end? No one has to agree that homosexual marriage is a right. I don’t. Think it is bad and evil all you want. But don’t take personal freedoms away. Don’t take happiness away just because you think someone is sinning. If it is hurting nobody else let them have their freedoms, and their joys. Respect people, love them, get to know them for who they are and perhaps we would never again want to destroy their happiness. There are many things I don’t agree with. There are many things you don’t agree with. And that is okay. This is what makes us all unique and special.
This fight for homosexual marriage will not end. There are sill 48 states to fight in (since the last I checked Massachusetts still allows gay and lesbian marriage), not to mention the fighting will continue in California. They won’t stop, just like women’s activists, and African-American activists did not stop fighting until they got what they wanted. It is a battle that cannot be won. So why not allow people their happiness, live how you think you should, and let God judge the rest.
Melissa
7 comments:
How do you expect a gay couple to raise a child in the church? Sure this child is going to have plenty of love; but he is never going to have to opportunity to go to primary or go on a mission. This is assuming however that you are Moromn. I don't know you but i get the impression that you are. Do you not want every child to have to opportunity to be baptized? So if your really asking (which i think you are) Yes I would discriminate as to who received my child if i were to put it up for adoption. Not only do i think he deserves life (and im not going to abort him) I also think that he need to have the opportunity to be raised in the Church - by a mother and a father.
If you study the eternal plan a few more times you will under stand that it is essential for a child to have a mother and a father.
The Family:A Proclamation to the World
Quotes as follows:
" proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. "
"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. "
"Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. "
"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. "
This is of course assuming that everyone who is adopting out a child is LDS and wants an LDS couple to adopt him. That was just a scenario outside of a LDS perspective (I'm not putting any religion into this EXCEPT Christianity as a whole).
Secondly. The child CAN go to primary, and CAN be baptized, and CAN go on a mission. Because the church isn't going to ban the gay couple from coming to church if that is what they wish. Sure, they won't be able to partake in the sacrament, or attend the temple, but the church certainly is not going to ban the child from doing ANY of those things.
Like I said, I agree that it would be better for a child to have a father and a mother. And assuming that your only choice is to have the child go to a single parent home or a gay couple the better choice would be the happy gay couple, because a single parent will probably be working all of the time to support that child and the child will probably be raised by a day care facility. Thus not having either a mother or a father figure. At least with a gay couple the child can have a father and mother figure, whether they be male and female or not.
Ok, First off I would like to say that I DO LOVE YOU!! I am so grateful to know you and your views! So.... keep that in mind as I share with you my thoughts!
I don't like that you used the word 'hate' along with Christian's. I completely understand your point of view. It would be very hard to have someone come in and tell me that my marriage meant nothing. I would be heart broken. What I don't understand is how people believe that is the Christian's fault. It for whatever reason was put on the ballot and asked for a vote. The American people had the opportunity to speak out about it. Most of the gay, straight, crooked, whatever people have know Christian views from the beginning, They have never supported gay marriage. It isn't to say that we don't love them. I have a cousin, a brother-in-law, and friends who are gay, but they know I don't support their views. I think the unfair part is that Christians have never supported it, and when asked {by ballot} to give our opinion or speak out, we are being ridiculed, and tagged as 'hating' people. It was something that from the beginning was never accepted. Why are we being asked to change our views?
The other problem I have is if prop 8 would have passed, gay marriage would have been taught in schools. Instead of me teaching my children about it, they would learn about George and Fred in school. I have a problem with that!! That is something that should be taught by the parents!! Gay couple or not!! Kids with a mom and dad would have to call their parents Guardians instead of mom and dad in public, because Mary has two moms. Where is the fairness in that? They don't want their children to feel left out because they don't have a mom or they don't have a dad .... They don't their parents choose a different lifestyle. That's fine. But why make it difficult for kids of a heterosexual couple. I may not be making any sense, and maybe I don't understand it fully. It was put to a vote. It somehow had to make it on the ballot. I don't know who did it, and I didn't get to vote for it. I wouldn't have taken it away, but I don't think it's right for them to be asking for things like gay marriage to be taught in schools or finding it offensive that kids call their parents Mom and Dad. If they want equality, they need to respect what has already been put in place. I do love my brothers and sisters all of them gay or not! I don't discriminate the sexual status. I hope this all makes sense. Please, tell me what you think. Thanks for reading this....and still being my friend. I really enjoyed reading your point of view! It did open my mind.
Um... Well put. I'm completely with you on these ideas, and I think people who can't understand what you're trying to say are close-minded and have a little too much of a stick up the butt. And that's no offense to any of them. I've been that person before. But I know too many gay people who are wonderful people who deserve to have rights the same as everyone else. Do you think we could all just get along if instead of calling it "marraige" we could give them their own word... like "Gayraige"? lol... then no one could argue that the "sanctity of marraige" is being voilated. and further more, our species has beyond violated that sanctity already... just check out divorce rates.. love ya!
I love hearing all of your points of views. And love all of you no matter what your opinion is. My parents think so differently from me, but that's what makes us human and unique and special. And I see no reason to dislike any of your for your different point of views. That is EXACTLY what my post is about...acceptance!
To comment on Tiffany's comments a bit. I've mentioned already that I also don't believe that gay marriage is right it God's eyes. And I know that many Christians following God try to do right in his eyes. And that is perfectly fine. And they have chosen to marry in his way. What really gets me and doesn't make sense is that marriage is something commissioned by the church. Not one church, but by any church someone belongs to. Anyone belonging to a church gets married through their church. If that church teaches against homosexual marriage than that church should not allow homosexuals to be married in their faith. That is the church's law, and that's fine. However, the government is not religion run and should have no say whether a homosexual couple can get married or not. Really, marriage in the government is simply saying that two people have committed to each other and are living together as spouses.
Now, about homosexual marriage being taught in school. I agree with you there. I would much rather that I teach my child what a homosexual couple and a heterosexual couple is and what makes each unique and different. The biggest problem is that most adults don't teach their children this. I know SO many christian adults that are afraid to talk about sex to each other, or to friends or their family that I see no way they'll be able to talk to their children about it. If adults would learn to actually teach their children properly inside the home the school would have no need to teach these kinds of things. That still doesn't mean I believe it should be taught in schools. I also wish that sex-ed wasn't taught in schools, but that would mean that a lot of adults need to step up to the plate and play the game properly.
There have been a few things going on, the biggest where the children were asked to attend the marriage of their homosexual teacher, that I don't agree with. It's almost like racism, where if someone doesn't accept it they are hateful. I think that is ridiculous. Everyone is entitled to their opinion without prejudice. The point where it becomes intolerable is when people start making laws as to how people should act or be.
As to Caitlin's comments I defiantly think we should call it "gayrraige" that would be just wonderful!
I couldn't disagree with you more, but I love you a ton, and I'm glad that you're feeling the confidence to speak your mind. I miss you!
This post is gay. hahahahaha.
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