Reasoning an Approach to Gay Marriage

by Kristyne McDaniel

Gay marriage is one of those social issues that seems to loom on the horizon of modern politics in the public arena and, will seemingly always be around. It does not appear that there are any easy answers in terms of this debate. It is clear that the two sides feel incredibly passionate about their positions. The pros and cons in terms of homosexual marriage and the debate involving it seem to be limitless, but the reality is that the debate is planted firmly in only a few basic principles.

In thinking about the aspects of the homosexual marriage debate, it is important to realize the arenas in which these debates are taking place. It is first important to remember where marriage has come from, in order to understand how some religious groups feel that they have the right to lay claim to the concept of marriage.

Marriage exists in today's modern society in one form or another. Married people may form a household, a family, or become part of an existing family. Most non-Western societies tend to have a larger definition of family that included other extended family members. When a person marries in such a society, they marry the entire family and not just the bride or groom.

Marriage is essentially seen as a bond that legally sanctions and approves a sexual relationship, making it acceptable in terms of societal standards to engage in sexual activity and procreate. Children born out of wedlock in conservative families are often seen as being less than moral results of a less than moral relationship. In the bonds of marriage, those same children become morally acceptable and have the ability to become blessed.

Germanic cultural traditions, Christianity and Roman law have influenced the Western culture's notions of marriage. In effect, the Western culture is viewed as being monogamous, involving marriage between a man and a woman. Christians view the debate on homosexual marriage as a detriment to the traditional definition of marriage in accordance to Christian beliefs. The Christian tradition in terms of its influence on our culture is something that cannot be denied, however those definitions of marriage are being pushed into polarizing grounds.

The debate in terms of gay marriage is that it fundamentally challenges the definitions of marriage as broadly accepted since the time of Augustine. Marriage was, however, a civil institution in most nations until around the fifth century. At that time, Augustine became interested in the aspects of marriage. The Catholic Church essentially took a stab at it, co-opting the marital concept. Christians began having their marriage ceremonies conducted in a Church with a religious ceremony and religious implications. The implications evolved as North America was eventually settled by European settlers.

The gay marriage debate is entirely centered on the definition of marriage as a term. Conservatives decipher marriage as a religious term with religious significance. Others determine marriage as a basic human right that is being deprived of homosexuals. Regardless of personal belief on the matter, the significance of marriage in a society that stands for religious freedoms should represent a great deal of viewpoints.