Clearly same-sex marriage is an issue that divides our country.

Jesus implied that marriage is a union between one man and one woman when he quoted Genesis 2:24.. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

This is the tradition that has existed for thousands of years...to an extent. It has certainly become the ruling tradition within countries in which the majority religion is Christianity.

This tradition has actually reached the rule of law. Polygamy and Polyandry are illegal.

Many Christian leaders claim that same-sex marriage will destroy the sanctity of the institution of marriage.

On the flip side, homosexuals are regularly denied privileges that are given to legal spouses.
Examples:
1. If their partner is in the hospital with a serious illness, they are not allowed access while a spouse is.
2. If their partner is accused of a crime, they can be compelled to testify, while a spouse is immune.

To the point:
Is the legalization of same-sex marriages a destabilizing or stabilizing influence on the American Family? Please support your statements with some explanation for your point of view.

How is it a stabilizing/destabilizing influence?

How does it affect the sanctity of your marriage / marriage in general?

As I just pIn 1995, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This proclamation is a declaration and reaffirmation of doctrines and practices that prophets have stated repeatedly throughout the history of the Church. It contains principles that are vital to the happiness and well-being of every family. Family members should study the proclamation and should live by its precepts.

“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

“In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

“We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society”
osted on another website to you, actually, here you go....

The first line didn't show what I thought I wrote in the opening so doesn't make sense for some reason - I just sent this same post to the other convo with you guys and I recopied for this post. Oh - it went to the bottom - my mistake.

Civil unions are available in places to contend with certain legal issues. and in places where that is not avialable, homosexuals are as free as anyone else to use a lawyer to give anyone they want power of attorney over their affairs, just as marriage does for a heterosexual couple. Spouses are considered immune in a court of law because of conflicts of interest. Likewise it's probably fine to assume that the conflict of interest for homosexual couples will also be recognized by a judge or jury and an attorney can plead the same in that case.

So basically, the next question would be, why don't homosexual couples use the law as it is available to them to obtain the same things that marriage does for a heterosexual couple? why don't they simply do that? The only answer is that that is not really what they want. Because if it were, then they would simply do it.

No, what they actually seem to want is the title Mr and Mrs. and to force the entire world to close their eyes to the fact that are actually Mr and Mr. What they actually want is the entire world to pretend that they believe their union is holy and blessed by God when in fact the whole world does not believe that.

They are trying to change beliefs, not laws, and that really is the issue.

Hi Linear, I'm still gathering quotes for you from the other post. Excuse the length of time, I am useless with recalling quote and verse and always have to hunt it down due to my recall issues.

I do not endorse hate crimes against homosexuals, nor against Christians or anybody else. If one believes in the bible, they know that Christ loves all of us sinners and has told us to love our fellow-man (no exceptions). This may not be easy when people have such strong oppositional beliefs.

The sexual sins were clearly pointed out in both old and new testaments, then believers (true believers) ought to do what is pleasing to God and behave accordingly. The institude of marriage is for one man and one woman (under God). Anything outside of this is invalid, at least in God's eyes. It is meaningless in fact, because there is NO santification in same sex marriage. Even if in the "eyes of the world" it's "good".

Legalising homosexual marriage is an affront to God and His institute of marriage. Therefore harmful to us as a society, as much as legalising abortion. It is not enough to say "well it's going to happen anyway" to "ok" such practises. Yes people are not going to stop doing what they do, whether public or private, but okaying it (legalising) it, is the same as saying to God "we're going to ok it anyway, regardless of what you have told us, because we know best". They upped the drinking age in my country, because they said "its' going to happen anyway" and what happened? the problem has increased ten fold. They legalised abortion because of the few botch up backstreet abortions and what happened? it's now become common practice. An addition to this, I ask people read the abortion thread to find out how many botch ups are done even in clinics and what these babies are subjected to.

For some reason they think if it's done nicely and safely for the Mother, the act itself is "cancelled out". It is murder plain and simple and opens the door for any Mother to do the same and this is exactly what has happened. That way, she doesn't have to have blood on her hands, she can get someone else to do it more "safely". Well in God's eyes, all of us are precious, and with or without the white coat and plastic gloves and safety of a clinic, and instruments, she most certainly does have blood on her hands and all those involved do also. Legalised abortion makes murderers out of all those involved. You let an evil foot in the door, the door will be forced wide open everytime. Yes there are mitigating circumstances to every case, which only God can ultimately judge. However, endorsing/legalising such an atrocious act should never be allowed.

Linear, sometimes we do not see the harm immediately when we go against God's intentions/commands for us. It most definitely IS destabilising when we legalise something that God has clearly pointed out as being an offense/affront to Him. It does not mean you can stop what people are going to do regardless, but standing up for what's right is pleasing to God, even if we may fail. We have not failed in His eyes if we have done our part. We can feel like failures when we feel like the "minority", but not in His eyes. Prayer is extremely powerful too. That too is often something we may not see the results of immediately.

Allowances for these sinful things is most definitely de-stabilising. How can it not be? When He is source of goodness and stability? Why should God continue to provide blessings/protection to a society that endorses such practises? Unfortunately the repurcussions are often not always attributed immediately to God, but rather nature or 'accidents' (e.g. lightening strikes as a talk is given on pro abortion. Catastrophic disasters in an area where homosexuality is celebrated and ripe). Is it accident? Perhaps, perhaps not. Often the innocent suffer alongside the guilty, as they too exist in the same society too. One only has to recall Sodom and Gommorrah (with Lot and his daughters). And Christ Himself! Though you may not believe the stories from the old testament, I do. I believe they are also a lesson to future generations, should we repeat the same mistakes/sins. God does not punish immediately, He warns repeatedly.

If one takes a look at society as it is, we must ask ourselves, are we doing things that please the eyes of the world? Or are we fighting the good fight and standing strong with God's word? Are we going along with the tide as God said most would do. God has pointed out that the majority are of the world and not of Him. They make that choice.

It harms each and everyone of us collectively, as these abominations are referred to as 'alternative lifestyles", rather than for what they really are and on top of that, being an offense to the real intention and sanctity of marriage. This should be a lesson to us all who attempt to water down, or distort the fundamental truths of God's word:

in Isa. 5:20-23 with these words, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!”

I can imagine when anybody presents an argument in a manner to gain sympathy for sin, using extreme case scenarios to do so, Satan smiles. Anything to make God look "mean". They are often constructed with that intention in mind and the person will often cherry pick out of the bible and will not let on "why" it was done and how much mercy and patience God has given time and time again.

You've "fought a good fight" SoSick....

fight?

I have some questions too.

Why are homosexuals famous for taking over certain areas of public beaches and public parks and using them for displays of public nudity and sex acts?

Why do homosexuals show a blatent disregard for others, including young children, who might stumble upon their public orgies?

Why are employers and health insurance companies being asked to overlook risky behavior between homosexual couples often resulting in high premiums and yet are not asked to overlook the risky behavior of obese people or smokers which can also result in higher premiums?

Meant it more like a Biblical reference....not literal. It was a compliment.

I don't honestly see those things you refer to here but know it happens. I heard of teachers actually kissing in the halls at the high school my daughter would've gone to in Alaska and opted to still keep her home because of that her freshman year till we moved here. We don't let kids show more than hugs or pecks as far as PDAs at our high school. Not that kids haven't been caught doing more here and there, and surely do in private but its not tolerated at school. I guess here we are in a very conservative area.

I am apalled to think my kids could be subjected to even public acts in a heterosexual context. You make very good points. My daughter has gay friends...not close friends, but friends. I am not a hater....but sex is a private matter to me. I don't want ANYONE's sex life flaunted in my face.

P.S. These teachers kissing - (making out) referred to were gay - but I wouldn't approve of teachers making out period...

These days in this anything goes society - lines have to be drawn with more exactness. Otherwise who knows what will go on....

Linear, I don't know if you are even gay or saying all this just for the sake of arguing, but I would have dinner with you (with my husband, of course, in either case...). My husband and I met for dinner with our lesbian friend and her girlfriend. I like you as a person.

There are over 1000 federal statutes that apply to married people. The federal government does not recognize federal unions. In the states where there are civil unions the couple in a civil union is afforded less privileges than a couple that is "married". Can you say "separate but equal"? Apparently those states cant.

There are restrictions on powers of attorney that prevent access to all the privileges obtained by a spouse by merely saying "I do".

Is a Hindu marriage "holy and blessed by God". In what way would the legalization of same-sex marriage change your belief that it is wrong?


Would allowing same-sex marriage change your beliefs?

Confirmation bias? I agree that lewd acts should be kept private and, if they are violating public lewdness laws, they should be arrested and pay fines.

I don't know why this seems so prevalent. I have never actually seen such a display. I know that there are other groups that do the same thing....Fantasy fest in Key West, Mardi Gras in many different cities...etc. It's not just gays.


What risky behavior is that? Is this any more risky than a single man or woman who is not monogamous? Do you have any CDC statistics showing this behavior to be more risky?