By: Robert Kaelin

Many people have been vocal about where they stand on the legalization of same-sex marriage. “Same-sex marriage is currently one of the most divisive political issues in our nation,” said Nussbaum (1). Before the arguments continue, let us take a look at the institution of marriage, how and why it was formed, the purpose of it and the reason for it.

Baker stated, “Before the many religious wars that ravaged through Europe, marriage was almost entirely wrapped up in religion, specifically the Christian faith (1). Marriage was controlled by church courts. It was the belief of these church courts, and the religion they were founded upon, that marriage was intended to be a life-long commitment between a man and a woman.”

The Bible teaches, "But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man will leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” – Mark 10:6-9

When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden He gave them a commandment. The Bible continues, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” – Genesis 1:28 Or in other words, create children, and that can only be done between a man and a woman.

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” – Leviticus 18:22 So with scriptures, written by God, in clear favor of keeping marriage strictly between a man and a woman, why is there still so much contention and opinion when it comes to the legalization of same-sex marriage?

To have the same rights and benefits of a married couple including… Visitation rights if one of them were to become hospitalized. If one person owned the house the couple lived in and that person died, (as of now) the other would have no right to the house and would most likely have to pay an inheritance tax that a traditional spouse would not have to pay.

Aren’t we all equal independent of race, gender, religion, age or even sexual orientation? If we go off of Bible references, aren’t all men created equal? Aren’t all men and women entitled to the same rights and privileges? “Isn’t love and commitment what counts?” asked the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (2).

The answer is yes, we are all equal, although that does not mean that prohibiting same-sex marriage is “unconstitutional” or even “unfair”. The bottom line is that the line needs to be drawn somewhere. If we begin to make exceptions where will the exceptions end?

We have all heard that “love has no boundaries” and that is why we should allow same-sex marriage. There are men who love and are in love with their animals or multiple women. If we simply state that “love has no boundaries”, we should institute the practice of cross- species marriage and polygamy. The point is, once you make an exception to the rule or to the law there is no end in sight to the exceptions and arguments that could be made.

The stance against same-sex marriage is not prejudice, or even religious based, it is the simple fact that the law is what it is and a change or influx in situation should not change the law. Killing will always be against the law, stealing will always be against the law, and the fact of the matter is that same-sex marriage is as well. There were important reasons for why all of these laws were instituted and those reasons have not changed.

There are some ways that same-sex couples could have the same rights and benefits as traditional married couples without changing the law and allowing same- sex marriage. Civil unions Domestic partnerships Life partnerships Cohabitation

Marriage is a fundamental part of life. It is so that male and female can procreate and that can only be done by male and female acting together, not separately or even with someone of their own gender. There are laws, and they are there for a reason. They are not prejudice or even discriminative but they allow our country to focus on the important things and help us to do them correctly. Same-sex marriage should not be legalized for the reasons stated above and the fact that things are the way they are because our founding fathers, in the Constitution, established them “in Order to form a more perfect Union (1).”

Constitution of the United States Baker, Brittney. “Same-Sex Marriage and Religion: An Inappropriate Relationship.” Research/article/view/87/ “Holy Bible, King James Version.” Nussbaum, Martha. “A Right to Marry? Same-sex Marriage and Constitutional Law.” Dissentmagazine.org/article/a-right-to- marry-same-sex-marriage-and-constitutional-law. Summer Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. “SPUC position paper on same-sex marriage.” January 2012.