This week the Uk's parliament, the House of Commons, voted to ratify homosexual and lesbian weddings. If the Law also passes through the House of Lords, homosexuals and lesbians can officially marry. The debate split opinion.
Against
"Marriage is the union between a man and a woman; has been historically; remains so. It is Alice in Wonderland territory for any government to seek to rewrite it."
Sir Roger Gale - my member of parliament (MP)
"Who are we, this government or this country, to redefine the term marriage that has meant one man and one woman across cultures, across ages, across geographical barriers since before state and religion themselves?"
Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham,
FOR
"We will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain. Marriage is about love and commitment, and it should no longer be denied to people just because they are gay."
Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats
"Labour MPs supported this change to make sure marriage reflects the value we place on long-term, loving relationships whoever you love."
Ed Miliband, Labour leader
Spilt opinion is normal in politics and life. The following statements against gay marriage, and the reasoning against the statements, may be why the vote was passed.
1. “We must preserve traditional marriage.”
Marriage has changed to suit cultural time and place. Interracial couples can wed, one cannot marry a child.
2. “Marriage is a sacred institution.”
“Sacred” suggests marriage is solely a religious institution. Matrimony existed long before Jehovah was even a word.
3. “Marriage has always been a bond between one man and one woman.”
This ignores the legally married gay couples in 11 countries, and the 48 countries where polygamy is allowed.
4. “Gay marriage will confuse the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’, or ‘mother and ‘father’.”
Male parents will both be “fathers” and female parents will both be “mothers”. Not so confusing really.
5. “Gay people cannot have children and so should not be allowed to marry.”
Elderly or infertile straight couples cannot produce children, yet marry.
6. “Studies have shown heterosexual parents are better for children.”
Studies show two-parent families tend to be most beneficial, but gender of parents has not been shown to matter.
7. “No one has the right to redefine marriage.”
Tell that to King Henry VIII. Citizenship has a right to redefine marriage in accordance with established equality laws.
8. “The minority should not have the right to dictate to the majority.”
What reason is there not to provide any minority equal civil rights?
9. “Public opinion polls show most people are against gay marriage.”
Most people are not against gay marriage, and anyway, majority will is no justification to exclude a minority.
10. “Gay marriage is immoral.”
Legally acknowledging the love between two consenting adults is not immoral. “God says...” is not an argument.
11. “I love my best friend, my brother and my dog. But we should not marry them.”
Long-term partner love should not be reduced to friendship, incest or bestiality.
12. “If everybody was gay, mankind would cease to exist.”
Not everyone is gay, and gay people can and do have children through donors and surrogates.
13. “Gay rights are fashionable right now.”
Nooses around gay Iranian necks are “in” right now.
14. “Gay marriage will lead to polygamy/bestiality/paedophilia/etc.”
Legalisation of gay marriage will lead to the legalisation of gay marriage.
15. “Gay marriage caused the end of the Roman Empire/September 11th/etc.”
The Roman Empire disintegrated as barbarians from the north overwhelmed them.
16. “We are in an economic crisis, so we should not be wasting time on gay marriage.”
Is it too much to wish for politicians who can multi-task?
Conclusion
Eleven other countries have already allowed gay and lesbian marriage. The UK and other countries are likely to follow eventually. The main argument for, is that no-one should be denied marriage if they love each other.
But watch this space. The House of Lords votes on this Law next, and may muster more anti-gay votes... If the UK votes against gay marriage, I'll blog opposite arguments to the above...Love should be all that matters...
(16 comments adjusted from http://newhumanist.org.uk/2905/31-arguments-against-gay-marriage-and-why-theyre-all-wrong.)
Against
"Marriage is the union between a man and a woman; has been historically; remains so. It is Alice in Wonderland territory for any government to seek to rewrite it."
Sir Roger Gale - my member of parliament (MP)
"Who are we, this government or this country, to redefine the term marriage that has meant one man and one woman across cultures, across ages, across geographical barriers since before state and religion themselves?"
Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham,
FOR
"We will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain. Marriage is about love and commitment, and it should no longer be denied to people just because they are gay."
Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats
"Labour MPs supported this change to make sure marriage reflects the value we place on long-term, loving relationships whoever you love."
Ed Miliband, Labour leader
Spilt opinion is normal in politics and life. The following statements against gay marriage, and the reasoning against the statements, may be why the vote was passed.
1. “We must preserve traditional marriage.”
Marriage has changed to suit cultural time and place. Interracial couples can wed, one cannot marry a child.
2. “Marriage is a sacred institution.”
“Sacred” suggests marriage is solely a religious institution. Matrimony existed long before Jehovah was even a word.
3. “Marriage has always been a bond between one man and one woman.”
This ignores the legally married gay couples in 11 countries, and the 48 countries where polygamy is allowed.
4. “Gay marriage will confuse the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’, or ‘mother and ‘father’.”
Male parents will both be “fathers” and female parents will both be “mothers”. Not so confusing really.
5. “Gay people cannot have children and so should not be allowed to marry.”
Elderly or infertile straight couples cannot produce children, yet marry.
6. “Studies have shown heterosexual parents are better for children.”
Studies show two-parent families tend to be most beneficial, but gender of parents has not been shown to matter.
7. “No one has the right to redefine marriage.”
Tell that to King Henry VIII. Citizenship has a right to redefine marriage in accordance with established equality laws.
8. “The minority should not have the right to dictate to the majority.”
What reason is there not to provide any minority equal civil rights?
9. “Public opinion polls show most people are against gay marriage.”
Most people are not against gay marriage, and anyway, majority will is no justification to exclude a minority.
10. “Gay marriage is immoral.”
Legally acknowledging the love between two consenting adults is not immoral. “God says...” is not an argument.
11. “I love my best friend, my brother and my dog. But we should not marry them.”
Long-term partner love should not be reduced to friendship, incest or bestiality.
12. “If everybody was gay, mankind would cease to exist.”
Not everyone is gay, and gay people can and do have children through donors and surrogates.
13. “Gay rights are fashionable right now.”
Nooses around gay Iranian necks are “in” right now.
14. “Gay marriage will lead to polygamy/bestiality/paedophilia/etc.”
Legalisation of gay marriage will lead to the legalisation of gay marriage.
15. “Gay marriage caused the end of the Roman Empire/September 11th/etc.”
The Roman Empire disintegrated as barbarians from the north overwhelmed them.
16. “We are in an economic crisis, so we should not be wasting time on gay marriage.”
Is it too much to wish for politicians who can multi-task?
Conclusion
Eleven other countries have already allowed gay and lesbian marriage. The UK and other countries are likely to follow eventually. The main argument for, is that no-one should be denied marriage if they love each other.
But watch this space. The House of Lords votes on this Law next, and may muster more anti-gay votes... If the UK votes against gay marriage, I'll blog opposite arguments to the above...Love should be all that matters...
(16 comments adjusted from http://newhumanist.org.uk/2905/31-arguments-against-gay-marriage-and-why-theyre-all-wrong.)
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