How much power is too much power? The government controls one's food, education, television programs, etc. The government is also attempting to control one's love life. Same sex marriage is a hot topic in political forums all over the nation. Should the government be able to regulate to whom one makes their vows? By laws set by the US and state governments, they have this power. Society should not have the power to tell someone who they can and can not marry because marriage is between two people who love each other.
Control by the government comes from various laws set over the citizens. Society now has the power to tell someone how to live their love life. Just because a relationship does not follow precedent does not mean the relationship and the love is not legitimate. In 2004, six months after homosexual marriages began in Massachusetts, 11 states approved constitutional amendments verifying matrimony as a heterosexual institution. The executive director for the NGLTF (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) claimed that the voting on these amendments put "basic rights up to popular vote." (Peterson,2004) The United States Federal Government traditionally recognized any marriage that was recognized by the state. In 1996 the Defense of Marriage Act gave "marriage" a definition by saying it is the union of one man and one woman for the purpose of the federal government; yet, this act does not have the power to define marriage for separate states. Therefore, if a homosexual couple is married in Massachusetts the marriage is recognized by the state, but not the federal government. (Same Sex Marriage in the United States, Wikipedia) Laws which ban same sex marriage do in fact tell certain people how to live their love lives; which is obviously a violation of the constitutional clause saying that each citizen is entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Most of the devout feelings against same sex marriage comes from religious beliefs. People brought up in a Christian family are more likely to be against gay/lesbian marriage because of the beliefs they were brought up in. Many people believe that society has the right to tell someone who they can and can not marry because it is "morally wrong" to marry someone of the same sex. Telling a group of people that they cant marry someone of the same gender is like telling someone that they are not allowed to lie or drink alcohol. One person may see no harm in having a couple drinks but another could think it is one of the worst sins possible. What gives that person who thinks drinking is a sin the authority to not allow the other to drink? It is the same with same sex marriage. It is a persons constitutional right to be allowed freedom and happiness, some people may be denied those rights because of their sexual orientation.
It all just comes back to what is "morally right" and what is "morally wrong". Just because someone is different that what society is use to, they should not be denied their happiness. Due to certain laws set into place by our government, society now has the power to tell someone whom they can and can not marry. Society has defined marriage in a way that excludes some of the population. Society has taken away a freedom from those who wish to marry someone of the same gender. Society already controls what we watch, what we listen to, and what we wear. Should they be able to control this too?
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2 comments:
Do you find it strange that the political party that usually complains about "too much government" holds a position that increases the government's power?
Anyway, great essay. Well written. Logically sound. I only took off a few points because the topic sentence of your 2nd body paragraph did not communicate the same claim as your enthymeme.
You're a fine writer, Lauren. I submitted your name to Ms. Avery. She had asked me to send her a list of students who could score a 3 or above on the AP exam.
Certain topics are not governed by the amount of control asserted over them, nor can they be. The government has the right and power to intervene when things become too great of an issue to be handled solely by common law. Same sex marriage is one of the most highly debated issues in the country, in politics and at home. Government control should be asserted on an issues as this.
Yes Lauren, control by the government does in fact come from various laws set over the citizens. Nowhere in the Constitution is same sex marriage deemed as probable or moral. Although we live in a qoute, unqoute free country, same sex marriage is not one of our freedoms. "The union of a man and a woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and incouraged in all cultures, and by every religious faith" (George W. Bush). Webster has defined marriage as "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife...recognized by law" (webster.com). There is no differentiation of either participant of a marriage (husband or wife) for a reason.
Right again L.B.! Most feelings against homosexual marriage is derived from religious beliefs. Homosexual marriage is not a religiously accepted practice, therefore, it is safe to say that it is immoral. The government can and must justify the immoral, as it can lead to corruption. Anything unconstitutional is a crime. Our country was undoubtably founded upon religious beliefs; "in God we trust." "And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and replenish the earth, and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28 KJV). Lauren, how can we follow the law of God if homosexuals cannot reproduce?
Homosexual marriage is morally wrong. The world does not change according to how a fraction of the people think or feel. Although we have a long way to go, the government has indeed stepped up to the plate by implementing laws that prohibit homosexual marriage. The government is helping this minority in more ways than they may notice at the moment. "I now pronounce you HUSBAND and WIFE...".
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