WEEK 3- Threats to Marriage

Same sex marriage is a tough topic for me for a couple of reasons. It’s a tough topic all around for our society because it’s a hot topic. People are very opinionated and have a tendency to get too emotional and to be intolerant. There have been other topics like this in the past and we as a society have overcome so I know we can overcome on this one. For me, the best way to not add to the tension is to keep my own emotions in check if I am involved in a discussion about same sex marriage. Keeping my voice level and a smile on my face are two specific things that I can do. It is also important to keep confidence in my self.

I have had one occasion where the topic came up and I am a little ashamed to say that I did not stand for my beliefs in a way that fellow church members would find acceptable. About a year ago I was getting my hair done and the topic came up. My hairdresser said, “I personally just think every person should be allowed to love whomever they choose.” I had the opportunity to tell her my beliefs but I didn’t say anything. I will defend myself by explaining that I chose right to stay quiet because, at the time, I was not confident in my ideas and I certainly couldn’t voice an opinion when I wasn’t even sure how I felt.

This brings me to the second reason that same sex marriage is a tough topic for me. I completely understand the point of view of those for same sex marriage. Don’t get me wrong, I also completely understand the opposition and I agree with the Supreme Court judges who say that this is not a legal issue but a law making issue. I personally believe that it is wrong for anyone to be discriminated against because of race, religion, or sexual preference. So, I love that the church agrees and has supported housing laws and other laws that don’t allow discrimination against LGB’s.

Is it discrimination to deny someone marriage? Here is how I like to think of it. This is a moral issue and the problem with moral issues is that not everyone has the same beliefs; but with moral issues there has to be a line drawn somewhere. There has to be! What if there was a movement that said that it is discrimination to not allow two 14 year olds to marry, have sexual relations, and have children? It could even be a 14 year old and a 30 year old. Yes we scoff at the idea but there was a time where same sex marriage was unfathomable. What if these two people were completely consensual to the marriage and in fact they insisted that their rights were being violated? There has to be an end because if not the end result could be awful and disgusting.

I personally would never mistreat, harm or berate LGB’s but I also don’t want to be mistreated or berated for my belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. Same sex marriage is lawful and there is nothing we can do to change that but we can change the way we all treat each other and we know that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.