Defining Gay Marriage
Reading Assignments
Responses
Response 10en
After reading the three articles on gay marriage, identify which argument you found to be most compelling and explain why. Then provide a definition of marriage that backs up your belief on whether or not gay marriage should be legalized.
I thought that Scott Bidstrup's, "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives" was the most compelling out of the three because he explained every questionable argument the general public may have precisely in an organized way. He first explained everything that needed to be cleared up in what homosexuality is, what gay marriage is and etc. before he proceeds. Afterwards, he states many popular questions the public may have on opposing gay marriages, as he counters them using resemblance to what straight couples do, ending up to be of a hypocrite that gay marriages shouldn't be legalized.
Definition: Marriage - A relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other
I believe that gay marriage should be legalized because a marriage is a relationship between TWO people who have PLEDGED themselves to each other. With this being said, who said it had to be between a man and a woman? As long as they are pledged to one another, and are happy, because the constitution states that we have the pursuit to be happy as long as we don't infringe on anyone else's rights, then what's the problem?
ChueChue
I thought that James Dobson's,"Gay Marriage: Why would it Affect me",was the most compelling article of the three. I found it to be so ridiculous because the truth is, it wouldn't affect me. The subtitle to his article,"Ten Arguments Against Same Sex Marriage", doesn't decribe the article at all. The term arguments is used loosely to describe petty bickering. He's written his arguments as to say that gay marriage legalization will cause broken families, inexorably to polygamy, instant divorces, teaching perversions, adoption changes, foster care changes, social security payment rises, America's filth to become worse, the demolishment of belief in god, and an apocalyse. None of which are true because gays live as married couples everyday yet it hasn't affected the rest of the world.
*Marriage- the union of two people who commit to one another
I think that gay marriage should be legalized because love has no boundaries and gays deserve to be just as happy as everybody else. The union of two people who commit to one another, isn't limited to two specific people. Love is love.
LadyAshley
After reading the articles on gay marriage, the one that I found most compelling is Scott Bidstrup’s “Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives.” The reason why I chose this article as the most intriguing out of the three is because it really lays out the information right in front of the reader of both for gay marriage and those reasons why people oppose it. This article starts off with a good basis introduction of the topic and why this issue is such a big deal. It gives the article back bone and a purpose.
Bidstrup goes into great detail after the introduction about the common arguments against gay marriage. He lays out the opposing arguments and then reverses them in the same manner. He tries to get people to look outside the box on this issue. Then after Bidstrup kind of goes back and forth with the issue he states the “real” reasons why people are opposed to gay marriage. I actually think he kind of drags in out a little bit and crosses over arguments here and there, but overall it’s in depth and both sides have great arguments to stand beside.
Marriage to me is a pact between male and female to have compassion towards each, trust, and to raise a family.
I don’t feel that gay marriage should be legal. Even though this type of marriage doesn’t affect me personally it goes against my morals and that I believe the United States should uphold the traditional rights of marriage. Actually in English I think it’s gross. There I said it.
Zac9
Scott Bidstrup’s personal essay on gay marriage was what all people who think gay marriage should be legalized are trying to say. He uses his own motives and arguments to clear up any misunderstandings that people have with gay marriage and gays all around. I found it extremely true when he stated that people would want gays to have same rights in housing, jobs, public accommodations, government benefits, and equal protection of the law, but then they oppose gay marriage! They don’t understand what homosexuality is and they think other people can “turn gay.” Bidstrup just proves that this is ludicrous and gays are people too who have rights and freedoms in America.
Marriage is the union of two people who love each other with the utmost passion and believe they should spend the rest of their lives together as citizens.
The only thing that should matter in marriage is love. The number one reason that heterosexuals marry is not to establish legal status or protect each other in medical decision-making. They marry because it is the ultimate expression of a person's love for another. Marriage is a commitment that expresses your love for your partner. Should it matter that the couple doesn't fit into what society is used to? No, because it is a basic human right to choose who you want to spend your life with. If they allow murderers and rapists to marry in prison, gay marriage cannot be considered a moral issue. Now it's been turned into a political issue. What people do in their own homes shouldn't be considered a political issue that everyone makes it their business to own and talk about.
PomPon
I found the article “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace? Why We Need Queer Critiques of Gay Marriage” to be the most compelling. This is because most of the time there are people saying no and why not or people saying yes and why. There are rarely people speaking out from somewhere in the middle (so to speak). This is why I found this article so interesting; it said that although gays should have the right to marriage they should not have to get married just because they can. The argument being that marriage has recently been a failure in a lot of cultures. It seems that most couples (heterosexual, homosexual, it doesn't matter) think they love each other, get married and divorce a few months later (sometimes years). The article said that although gay marriage is legal in Canada a lot of gays aren’t getting married. It also said that while a lot of people think gay marriage is the end to their oppression, it is only a part of it. Although marriage would give gays the legal ability to be together, many feel that “marriage is an institution that is beyond rehabilitation”. So a lot of people feel that by getting married they are imprisoning themselves in a bad situation.
My definition of marriage: a legal tie of two people who care for each other enough to spend the rest of their lives together. I feel that it should not matter who is getting married, the point is to be happy with another person. For that connection to be recognized by other people is most likely what most gays want anyway.
UnionJill
The most compelling article to me was Scott Bidstrup's, "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives", hands down. Everything Bidstrup says is so blunt and honest. I think people are so against the idea of gay marriage because they’re not used to the change that has occurred from it. Get over it people. I’m sorry the future stereotype didn’t entail gay marriage along with the flying car or the upcoming virtual world.
Marriage is only a ceremony to me. I definitely hope to get married one day, but I think the ceremony itself is just for legal purposes. Aren’t you already married before you get married? Hopefully most couples are. The couples combine their souls together, love each other unconditionally, and realize that they will continue to do so for years to come.
I really agreed with Bidstrup when he stated ‘’ the reality is that homosexuality is multidimensional, and is much more about love and affection than it is about sex. And this is what gay relationships are based on -- mutual attraction, love and affection. Being gay is much more profound than simply a sexual relationship; being gay is part of that person's core identity, and goes right the very center of his being.’’ Enough said. That’s reality. Love is such a powerful thing. It’s a high that takes you anywhere and over any obstacle life has to offer you. Why not gay marriage? These people are in love and want to show it legally. And, like the Beatles say: ‘' All you need is love '’.
RocknRoll
I found Scott Bidstrup’s, “Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives” to be the most compelling out of the three. I liked how he explained what gay marriage is, and then he discussed the reasons for opposing gay marriage followed by what people really think about it. He was really honest and open about his opinions of the subject. It really opened my eyes and made me think.
Marriage is a close and intimate union between two people that are committed to each other.
I believe gay marriage should be legalized because if two people are in love then that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what gender you are. People have the freedom to love whomever they want so everyone just needs to get over it. Gays just want to be happy like everyone else and they want everyone to recognize that.
DancingQueen
Hey dancing queen thanks for stealing my time on the wiki... couldn't hold your horses for 5 seconds while i posted my response i see!
Anyways,
Like everyone else, I found Scott Bidstrup's Articles the most compelling. In the articles, "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives", Scott proves many good points. He shatters points thrown out by heterosexuals and throws it back in their face tied in a rainbow colored ribbon. He has seemed to put alot of thought into this and it shows. I would have to say my favorite part of the article was when he mentioned that over 450 species have been witnessed to have homosexual members amongst them. It finally makes sense why my dog back in middle school was always humping other guy dogs. I just always assumed he was being really friendly or just really confused, but it finally put some closure to that wierd and confusing question in my life. As for most ocmpelling, i would have to say it would be the part about how marriage is an institution between a man and a woman. He brings up a very good point. He states that who says that's the only way it should be and says it is denying gays freedoms they are born with.
As for me, my definition of marriage is the union between a man and a woman, with intentions to produce offspring or raise children in another way. I dont really know why i think this, but probably because it is instilled in my head from hearing so much about it. I guess im kind of old school. I just feel a child should be raised by a man and woman, man, or just woman, somewhat based on the negitivety towards the sitituation in the U.S. right now. Later, down the road when people open their eyes i believe gay marriage will eventually be modern thing. Not to say that i am in favor of it because im not, but its only inevitable. I would much rather have it be called a civil union or some other word that gives gays the same rights and liberties as heterosexuals. More then likely i feel it will be legalized and you know what, in some way they deserve it. They have worked just as hard as women to vote and blacks to have equal rights also.But if not, dont stop fighting for it becuase you've worked too hard, keep on keepin on.
OldSailor1
I think the reading by Susan Thompson was the most compelling. The definition in her paper is about the same as mine. I believe that a marriage sho0uld be between two persons and not just a man and a women. Everyone has different beliefs. Some people don’t believe or want gay marriage to be legalized but how can they be in charge of other peoples lives. Different things make different people happy. It’s like the pursuit of happiness. Everyone has the right to happy as long as it doesn’t conflict with anyone else’s happiness. Some say it ay conflict with other peoples happiness but how? The only thing they have to deal with is seeing gay people. Other people may say that gay marriage is against the Bible, but it shouldn’t be up to them who can chose how others live their lives. If two people love each other than they should be able to get married if nothing else at least to get the rights that other married couples have. These people are hurt because they are in love and cant be legally married. These people or the gay people are getting screwed when it comes to benefits and things such as insurance. If gay marriage is legal in many places such as Canada then why cant it be legalized everywhere else. No one tells straight people who to marry so why should people be able to tell gays who they can or cant marry. So gay marriage should be legalized.
Def: Marriage should be between two people that love and care about eachother.
SororityGirl
My opinion on the legalization of gay marriage was already decided before I read the three articles. James Dobson’s piece was well-written piece that endowed logic and reasonable arguments. Susan Tompson’s article was simply an article that updated the legalization of gay marriage but, didn’t really include Tompson’s possible opinion on the topic. Scott Bidstrup’s arguments were in opposition to Dobson’s article. Bidstrup and Dobson’s argued on many of the same subjects such as the spread of it in countries and households involving same-sex partners and sodomy.
I don’t believe in the legalization of gay marriage. I do believe that we were given the will to do what we choose to do, but when it comes to something like marriage it is something that I, myself cannot not argue or oppose and this is why. When God made Eve, he told them to become one flesh. With that one statement alone I will not argue it. Marriage was not created by man, it was created by God and for it to be ordained by Him, it is something that is undefiled.
I also believe that act of sodomy is wrong because of the root word which is “Sodom”. I know that root word derives from what happened in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The word “sodomy” means anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex and that is what people were doing in those two places in the days of Genesis which immediately resulted in complete desolation and destruction with the exception of only one person which was Lot. I don’t believe that happened on an accident and I don’t believe that it was a coincidence.
I, personally am not against any human being for what they stand for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and it should always be respected and not bashed. Yes, love bears all things, but sex does not determine love. Love determines love.
DymondSparkle
Well after reading all 3 of the articles, I would have to say James Dobson's "Gay Marriage: Why Would it Affect Me" was the most poorly written of the three and it was obvious that there was bias in his statement when you look outside of his writings to see the NoGayMarriage.com sign. Unlike Dobson's article, Scott Bidstrup's "Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives" provided many misconceptions about homosexual relationships and basically knocked them down a peg.
Marriage to me is the love between a man and woman, and that together they are supposed to procreate life. Now don't get me wrong, I'm okay with two gay people can love each other and I also believe the fact that gay people aren't entitled to the same benefits as married couples isn't fair, but because of what i feel marriage truly is, it just seems unnatural to me. Well, I know someday gay marriage will be legalized but I guess I'll have to get used to it.
SolAce
Of the 3 articles I found James Dobson's Gay Marriage: Why Would it Affect Me? to be the most interesting. He brings up a good point that gay marriage would set the way for polygamy. If people start to accept and legalize gay marriage than other alternate forms of the original marriage will arise everywhere. It will cause chaos in our society because kids will grow up not knowing what to think. He also mentioned that once legalized gay marriage will be displayed in text books of every public school in America as if it were a good thing. The next point he makes was the fact that America was the first country to legalize porn as mankind. Legalizing gay marriage will spread just as fast as porn so this new proposal will make America look even more like the filthy and immoral bastards they may have been in the past.
MexiMan29
Part 1: All three sides of the argument utilized evaluation, pathos, and definition. Dobson uses cause/consequence, while Bidstrup uses counter-argument and Thompson uses something else.
Bidstrup's presentation of the facts and the truths that have been hidden from the mainstream argument completely blows away the others. He provides a good argumentative backing for his discussion and appears largely unbiased until later disclosure. Dobson's argument is lacking in credibility and logic, two major components in forming a reasonable and effective argument.
Part 2: How can you compare porn and gay marriage?
Part 3: The raging debate and battles over gay marriage are merely red herrings to distract the public from the real issues at hand. Those being completely equal rights for ALL couples, without bias towards sexual orientation (NOT PREFERENCE!!!). All of the focus is being turned to the gay marriage issue and not to the more important issue of true equal legal rights. Having gay marriage legalized will not solve anything at this stage in the progress of this civil rights movement. At this point it is only a waste of time and effort that could be put into abolishing unconstitutional laws forbidding certain rights to many. All of this being said, I want to get married anyway, to a man, and bring a child into this world, not adopt. Again, Dobson has no logical backing behind his arguments as Bidstrup demonstrates so articulately.
Part 4:End of Discussion
RaspyPeculiarRavages
James Dobson may go a little far with his predictions but he makes some very good arguments. Marriage, with my religious beliefs aside, is a religious institution and a covenant between man and woman as spelled out by those religions. To add gay marriage to that institution is an obvious violation of religious freedom because Christianity, Islam, and Judaism do not support gay marriage. They do not support it because these religions are believers of the Old Testament which clearly lays out the institution of marriage. To allow gay marriage is to take away an institution they have created and pervert it, which would violate the rights of 3 of the largest and most influential religious groups with a Government action goes against everything this country was built on. It was introduced to this country as a religious sacrament by the first settlers and to say it isn’t a religious institution is foolish. I’m not going to quote the Bible, Koran, or Torah because it is well known that they all clearly lay out the modern idea of marriage. I am arguing that marriage is a religious institution and to say that it is just the union between two people who love each other is extremely ambiguous and ignorant of the facts and heritage of marriage. I am not saying they can’t be “legally bound” but to take away a religious sacrament through Government action is just asinine.
Jim deVries
Jim you stole the lock from me I see how it is.
Gay marriage, a very fragile and very serious topic, in this country and generally speaking gay marriage I believe is a very judgmental topic. In my point of view I view it as being different; I don’t see the point of being gay, based on what this country has taught me and my up bringing lessons, have taught me marriage consists of a man and woman, and I am for that completely. I personally view gay marriage as the preference of another individual and it’s strictly another person’s business. The reading that I found to be most interesting was James Dobson’s: Why would it affect me? Too many times we as people focus too much on us and not other people, and that's what Dobson theme was from the reading. This country however sees it in another light. Does the United States view gay marriage as abnormal?Yes. For instance if someone is gay they will not be allowed to enter the military, is that affecting civil rights in this country of the people? Yes it is, and in many instances the media and other sources don’t approve of same sex marriage and I can truly comprehend why, but like it or not everyone has their own mind and their own fulfillments. It’s enough chaos in society today and for same sex marriages to be legalized and to be able to raise children too would have a negative impact on those children in their road that leads them to adult hood, and it would confuse their innocent minds. Regardless of anything else I don’t believe that same sex marriages should be legal and I definitely believe that no same sex couple should be allowed to raise children. However, sexual preferences are the choice of that person and no one else.
VeeMan
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