Same-Sex Marriage

I can hear the Conservatives groaning from here. Once again as I said with my "Abortion" blog post, if the issue in question is one to make your blood boil you are welcome to comment but please don't tell me that I am doomed to an eternity in the Lake of Fire, or that I am an awful person. Thank you in advance!

The issue of modern same-sex marriages is quite new on the scene. The first nation to allow them, the Netherlands, has performed and recognized same-sex marriages since April 2001. Since then Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, and most recently Argentina along with Canada in 2005 have also jumped on the bandwagon. I guess we know what the progressive nations of the world are.

Same-sex marriage extends the rights of marriage to homosexual couples. This ensures equality among both the homosexual and heterosexual community. I have no problem what so ever with two consenting adults making an informed decision concerning the person they love.

Unsurprisingly, the issue of same-sex marriage has caused plenty of controversy. Critics often point to three attacks. In some nations, the word "marriage" is defined in its constitution. Most of these nations also claim to be secular, they're wrong. A true secular state keeps religion and the government separate, and defining marriage tramples all over that. Next, critics point out that along with marriage comes parenting rights, and because of non-existent reports, homosexuals are worse parents that heterosexuals. Study after study has proven that you do not need straight parents to raise a successful individual into society, you need loving parents. Finally, civil unions are thrown out as a possibility for a supplement of marriage. Unfortunately, civil unions because of a loss of association, many rights are lost when a party to a civil union rather than a marriage.

Often religion is thrown into this debate, but while keeping with my tradition of remaining silent on religion, I must say that things can be interpreted incorrectly. Above all else, we are not on this planet to judge others for actions they cannot control, and we never will be.

Slowly the nations of this world are embracing equal rights for homosexuals. However, we still have a long way to go. Africa and the Middle East are the biggest offenders as they still consider homosexual intercourse a criminal act. It's time for the world to accept the reality, and allow homosexuals to marry.