Gay marriage

Something bothers me about the same-sex marriage debate. The arguments against it seem almost entirely based on ‘Well god doesn’t like it.’ Which is weird since I never heard of someone claiming God told them he hates gays. Historical bases, Natural Law and even the negative social implications seem weak.

I know a lot of the bad blood between Monotheistic religions and homosexuality stems from ancient Judaism and their quest (or God’s quest) to be different from all the other religions. Though homosexuality was common place in the ancient world, and certain customs of hunter-gatherers may indicate that it was common in pre-history as well, the Ancient Greeks remain the most infamous for their homosexuality (and pederasty). And yes, Spartans engaged in man-love and their concept of a man began at about 13 years old. The Roman Empire extended a tolerance towards homosexuality, but never fully embraced it like the Ancient Greeks. Despite that, no one ever really believed them that they weren’t all for the man-love. So, at the beginning of Christianity, early Christians wanted to separate themselves from the decadent romans as possible. Thus, where they were indulgent, Christians were chaste.

That homosexuality goes against nature is very odd. Firstly, same-sex bonding happens in the natural world all the time. Some stags mount younger ones because they cannot find a female, while love birds have been known to cutely bond with others of the same-sex. Even your pet dog would mount you if he was in heat and you gave him the chance. Natural Law is like French grammar: the exceptions make the rule. Yes, MOST animals pair-bond with the opposite sex. Yes, MOST mate with the desire to reproduce. But there are and will always be exception, and humans are no different.

Procreation cannot be the purpose of marriage. Would you deny the right of marriage to the middle-aged? How about the infertile? Perhaps since they already have children, will adopt, or would have had children this would be acceptable? Yet, same-sex partners can and do fall under those three categories? Perhaps one would think that a child requires a male and a female parent? Or, the child would ‘turn-gay’? Studies show quite the opposite. Same-sex parents are shown to love their children equally to opposite-sex parents; children raised by same-sex parents are no more likely to be homosexual and that children raised by single parents or same-sex parents find the ‘missing role model’ in grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, friends of the family. Besides, human procreation is quite fine without having to go through the rituals of marriage. Hell, I could go out and procreate now if I wished.

There is no evidence that extending the right to marry to homosexuals would create more homosexuals. There will not be a homosexual take over and no horrific apocalypse will occur as a direct result. Now, if they are not allowed to marry, this disenfranchised group may begin to cause issues. So long as they are not treated as full equals, they will demand it. So long as they demand it, everyone will have to see and hear about it. The negative social implications are if they are not equals. No human is superior to the other.