The legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most controversial topics in today’s news. On one hand, there is the religious viewpoint where same-sex marriage is prohibited and considered a terrible sin. From the non-religious standpoint, same-sex marriage is accepted as the ‘modern family.’ These are the two main arguments seen in today’s society. Then there is the small percentage of people who follow religious beliefs but are supportive of the freedom of same-sex marriage.
This belief begins with the idea that everyone has a choice, a freedom, to chose what they want to believe and follow, even if it is different or even the opposite of what they themselves believe and follow. Claiming to not legalize the freedom of same-sex marriage because of religious beliefs is against the freedom of religion. The freedom of religion is the freedom to believe and follow whatever religious beliefs one choses as well as the freedom to not believe or follow religious beliefs. The freedom to believe in any religious affiliation or follow a non religious lifestyle is part of the definition of freedom. Freedom does not have constraints on belief. Even if a religion, such as Christianity may be completely against homosexuality, it is the choice of each individual as to their beliefs. This is the free-will God speaks of in the Christian Bible.
Despite the religious beliefs of a specific group of people, marriage equality is a right that should be available to all. Allowing the freedom to marry for all sexual orientations is one of the steps toward true freedom in America and the rest of the world. Parts of the United States as well as other countries have already taken this step toward freedom by allowing same-sex marriage. In the article, “One Step Closer to Marriage Equality,” The New York Times gives a list of some of the states allowing same-sex marriage, “Since June[of 2014], three federal appeals courts have struck down marriage bans in Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah.” Within the Supreme Court’s new term, seven petitions asking to reject a constitutional right to same-sex marriage were not reviewed. “By choosing not to review those cases, the justices made it possible for same-sex couples in a majority of states to marry,” explains The New York Times.
The main barrier working against the legalization of same-sex marriage is the people. In The Opinion Pages of “The New York Times,” David Blankenhorn states, “Surely we must live together with some degree of mutual acceptance, even if doing so involves compromise.” A compromise means agreeing to disagree. Allowing the right for homosexuals to marry has nothing to do with whether or not a religious person agrees they should or shouldn’t marry. Freedom includes the free-will for homosexuals to marry. Simply because one person’s religious beliefs disapprove of another person’s actions does not qualify as a legal reason to stop them from continuing to do so. Freedom of religion includes the prohibition of one religion controlling another people group who don’t follow that same religion.
So often Christians are found ranking sins in degree of bad to worse. Mainly because of its current prevalence, homosexuality is quickly seen has a greater sin than the others. Christians with this mindset often are fearful of how the exposure to homosexuality will harmfully effect their children. However, with the abundance of temptations and sins in the world, it can be harmful to completely shelter a child from the world and all of its influences. This can cause confusion and fear lead to rash decisions in a child entering into a world that they have never seen, experienced, or been taught about it. Instead, an alternate solution would be to parent a child in such a way where they experience the world and are taught how to handle it; how to love abundantly and without restrictions while still keeping their own morales and standards.
Followers of Christ believe in the free-will and grace God has given to humanity, helping those in need of His grace, and bringing Glory to His name. Homosexuality is a temptation. A temptation equal to all temptations, just as alcoholism and pornography are temptations. The job of a follower of Christ is to love abundantly, especially to those who struggle deeply with specific temptations. The difference between a temptation and a sin is the actions made toward or against the temptation. This world is a world striving for freedom and free-will. Just as being a follower of Jesus Christ is a choice, rejecting His Grace is also a choice. Freedom is accomplished through the allowance of free-will to choose personal affiliation. Freedom is not the allowance to harm or affect others in any way but rather the allowance to affect or change a person’s personal lifestyle in the choices they make. Acquiring freedom is a tricky balancing game man has struggled with since the beginning of time and will strive toward till the end.
In The New York Time’s editorial “Mistakes and Confusion on Marriage Equality,” the editorial board states that, “On Monday[Oct 6], the justices said they were declining to review seven petitions on the issue, which allowed three appeals court rulings that overturned state bans on same-sex marriage to stand. On Tuesday[Oct 7], the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down bans in Idaho and Nevada. That raises the number of states where same-sex marriage is or will soon be allowed to 35.” Whether or not the Christian church or any religious affiliates support the freedom for same-sex marriage, the full legalization of it is in the near future.
Ultimately the state should allow the ability for homosexuals to marry. Allowing the rights for marriage equality is a legal debate whereas the debate on whether or not they should marry is a debate for the church. The government should allow the freedom to marry. It is up to the church to decide whether or not they accept same-sex marriage among its members.
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