Saturday, 11 May 2013

imposing gay marriage on religion institutions



Hello everyone

I chose to write about imposing gay marriage on religion institutions. This blog is not about the right or wrong of been gay neither if gay people have the right to Marry the person whom they love. It’s acceptable to be gay nothing wrong with that and its normal that two people that love each other and committed to each other to marry no matter if they are homosexual  or  heterosexual both people exists since the creation of the world, and all have to be treat equal . But this argument is about if it’s right or wrong to impose gay marriage on religion institutions.

1-Should Government legalize same –sex marriage?

In most countries the constitution  clearly state that all people have to be treated equally regardless of their belief, color or their sexual orientation  so legalizing same-sex marriage is simply acknowledging  their right to share their life with the person whom they love and committed to, just like any heterosexual  have the right to have a family. US senator Diane Savino has given great speech about equality . There are countries which are good example of equality such as Uruguay it becomes the second nation in Latin America and the 12th in the world in legalizing gay marriage.  In the 13th place is New Zealand when the (Definition of Marriage)  Amendment Bill passed by 77 votes to 44. it was historical moment when members of parliament start to sing Love song “Pokarekare Ana, these are good examples of countries treating everyone equal and given them the right to live their life how they want with whom they want, NZ government granted not to force any religion institutions to accept gay marriage or to use the place as a wedding venue if it’s against their belief, So yes the government should legalize same sex marriage.

2- Should government impose same –sex marriage on religion institutions?

If any government  impose same-sex marriage in my opinion that will be breaking one of the constitutions which are freedom of belief, most religion do not accept homosexuality let alone to accept marriage between the same sex  and that due to their beliefs .There is a debate in the UK that the government might impose gay marriage on religion institutions the church of England are having concerns with the government going ahead with the plan of same sex marriage, although the Prime Minister David Cameron earlier  had assured that the Church of England will have the right to legal exemption and the freedom of religions , but there is a possibility that church of England will be sued at the European Court of Human Rights if they refused to allow same sex marriage or refuse to let their worship place to be used as a venue by gay couple ,also there chance that teachers  in Christian school who will not promote same sex marriage as they do with heterosexual marriage they might get fired. Muslim religion leader in UK also have concerns about this issue they asking to have the same legal exemption as the Church of England. The answer simply is no because government should protect the freedom of belief.


Personal point view

Let me start by saying although I came from a Muslim back ground, I am a liberal and I believe in equality and that gay people have the right to have family and to be treated equally just as the heterosexual individual that’s why  I support  legalizing same sex marriage. The point of that is to give them the right to have normal life to share their life with the person they love and to have family, but when I heard about the possibility of imposing gay marriage on religion institutions I start thinking isn’t that breaking the rule of freedom of belief?Marriage in most religion is defined as a union between a man and a woman this belief have been existing for thousands and thousands of years and we should respect that as long as the religion institutions open their doors for gay people whom want to practice their belief and not to be denied the right of worship just because they are gays.  But if a church wants to perform a same –sex marriage then it’s a good thing but not to be forced. A church in Ponsonby Auckland is good example of a religion institution for opening their doors to perform same –sex marriage without been forced, When tow people get a civil union or partnership that the same as marriage because it is the reunion between two people who love and committed to each in my opinion that's good because they have same right as the straight couple does,getting married in church wont make the relationship stronger neither it will make it weaker !! I don't see the point of imposing gay marriage on religion institution. What good can come out of it? Isn’t state and religion should be separated? And if the government does impose same sex marriage isn’t that denying their right of belief? I strongly support legalizing same sex marriage but I am strongly against imposing gay marriage on religion institutions.

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BBC, (2012).Gay marriage: David Cameron backs church role. Retrieved 10 May, 2013, from http://www.korero.maori.nz/forlearners/protocols/geetings.html.
Catholic Answer, (2004).Gay Marriage.Retrieved 10 May, 2013 from http://www.catholic.com/documents/gay-marriage.
Collins, S., (2013).Church wedding out for gay law advocate. Retrieved 10 May 2013from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879181         
Collins, S., (Apr 23, 2013). Gay weddings ban: Churches say no. Retrieved 10 May 20may13 from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879183.
David, J. and Young A., (2013).Same-sex marriage law passed. Retrieved 10 2013 from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878200.
Doughty, S., (2012).Law on same-sex marriages mean churches 'will be forced to conduct gay weddings. Retrieved 10 May 2013 from
Lee, J., (2013). Same-sex marriage: City churches say no but one is taking a different stand. Retrieved 10 May 2013 from
Telegraph Reporters (2013). Churches 'could be sued for refusing to agree to gay marriages.Retrieved 10 May 2013, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9801889/Churches-could-be-sued-for-refusing-to-agree-to-gay-marriages.html.
The guardian (2012).Muslims demand gay marriage exemption.Retrieved 10May 2013 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/dec/18/muslims-demand-gay-marriage-exemption.
Today, C. (2012).British Archbishop Warns Against 'Dictator' Government If Gay Marriage is Imposed. Retrieved 10 May 2013 from
Savino, D., (2010).US. Senator speaks on the Marriage Equality bill.Retrieved 10 May 2013 from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1318748818753

4 comments:

  1. This is a very interesting subject that you have argued from a point of view that I haven't considered before. However, I believe that religious institutions should be made to accept gay people and marriages and to abolish discrimination within our churches and places of worship.

    Religion has a lot of influence and persuasive power, and is responsible for the beliefs of millions of people around the world. Many wars, acts of terrorism, bullying etc have been carried out due to religious beliefs and I strongly believe that religious institutions must start taking responsibility for the way they indoctrinate their followers.

    Religion, no matter what type, should be a powerful teaching to love and respect the world and your fellow human beings. It should be all inclusive and tolerant. Freedom of belief is a given as long as beliefs are not promoting hate. We should not have whole institutions that exclude, and promote exclusion, as this just creates fear, and through fear we create hate and intolerance. We need to do everything as a unified race to stop discrimination and hate, and to join as one. Believe in what ever God you want, but don't hate on others.

    Thank you for this thought provoking argument. You need to fix some spelling mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank younAmanda
      Can you please point out these mistakes :)

      Delete
  2. Well, this is a tricky subject isn't it? I think the whole religion/church against gay people is just plain ludicrous. As a Christian I know the bible says a man shall not love another man etc but well, I don't believe it. It's a topic that sticks in my craw because I fight against it for the plain reason that I don't believe in discrimination of anybody.
    I'm glad same-sex marriage has been legalized. Same sex couple are just like the rest of us, with the exception of their sexual orientation. Other than that are they different? Do they look different, smell different? No.
    How many Kings of England preferred the company of men to women? Makes you think doesn't it? Gay people have every right to be accepted into society. The bible says you should love your enemy. We are all brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God.
    I considered this topic myself, but decided against it. I'm too passionate about it to be comprehensive.
    P.S as a straight female, many of my friends are gay and I don't see any problem with that.

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  3. Hi Zahra,

    Good picture to identify the topic! A small suggestion is that I think it's Better to change the color of the font or bold it to make it easily read for the readers.


    You have presented very clear opinions that agree with gay marriage; while at the same time against imposing it on religion institution. To me, this is a very special combination.

    I think most people can’t separate law and religion when talking about gay marriage. And this is the reason why this topic makes such a big issue in human society. Actually, I agree with you the only solution is to treat gay marriage into different ways as in legal system and religion system.

    My question is, can we really separate religion from law? Sometime, religion has obvious power over government, like Vatican; while sometime government want to show their political power by force religion group accept the rules, like the case you mentioned in U.K.

    I think if people can accept the fact that people being equally treated is in the term of law not in the term of religion, the fight would stop.

    ReplyDelete