Same Sex Marriage and the Church of England
Introduction
When talking about same sex marriages, reference is often directed to gay and lesbian marriages or unions. The debate on same sex marriages has often attracted heated responses from concerned quarters. The key factor of contention, as research affords, is whether or not same sex marriages should be legalized, seeing that marriage has always been considered to be a fundamental institution within the society. History provides a specific timeline for the derogatory malfunction of the institution of marriage, from the substitution or interchanging of the roles of husband and wife, to the proliferation of divorce as a common occurrence or outcome of marriages. Therefore, commentators view the advent of same sex marriages as a final nail on the casket that is the institution of marriage. Popular literature suggests that public opinion seems to be evolving, and, as such, support for same sex marriages is set to become widespread in the near future. In 2013, the UK joined the list of the few nations that have legalized same sex marriage, drawing concerns from religious quarters. Essentially, the same sex marriage debate pits religion and the law in divergent spheres. This paper seeks to methodically present the arguments for and against same sex marriages. Arguments Supporting Same Sex Marriage Champions of same sex marriage have always intimated that the refutation of marriage to gays and lesbians is perhaps one of the strictest forms of inequality and discrimination on part of the society. This sentiment, therefore, firmly establishes the argument by champions of same sex marriages in the context of the legal realm. As research provides, supporters argue that there exists a distinct doctrine that defines the separation of the religion or the church, from the state. As a matter of fact, The Archbishop’s Council (2014) notes that there exists an intrinsic misunderstanding of what constitutes the relationship between the Church of England and parliament. This essentially intimates that what the church believes does not entirely carry weight within the legal context. Hence, moral disapproval of same sex marriages by the church cannot be held as a premise for the denial of same sex marriages to gays and lesbians. Additionally, some supporting quarters have also tabled the emotional argument caused by the denial of same sex marriages. They claim that it essentially deprives certain families and children of the value of what constitutes the institution of marriage The support for gay marriages based on the factor of equality and discrimination is also established by proponents with reference to the constitution. Supporters argue that under the constitution of the UK, marriage is recognized as an inherent right and freedom. In essence, every person was created equally and, therefore, has got a right to equal representation under the law. Given this fact, it is, therefore, improper and to that effect unconstitutional for same sex marriages to be restricted. This argument gained strength after the assent of the same ex marriage bill by the Queen in 2013. According to Prime Minister David Cameron, this legislation essentially reinforced the long and proud tradition of tolerance and equal worth in the United Kingdom (BBC, 2014). Another premise establishing the argument for same sex marriages is the expression of the fact that gay and lesbians, by virtue of their marriage, essentially do not harm anyone. This argument essentially seeks to rephrase the following question; is there any …show more content…
In this regard, this paper limits religion to the Christian perspective alone, with specific reference to The Church of England. The first argument against same sex marriages is based primarily on the intended sexuality of human beings, which as is evident in the bible, distinguishes between a man and a woman, or the male and female gender (Archbishop’s Council, 2014). It also establishes God’s plan for the institution of marriage. In Genesis 1:27 (New King James Version), God created both male and female in his own image. Chapter 2:18 continues to state that God made Adam a helper, who he named woman. These two verses principally establish the individual sexuality of both male and female. Therefore, when God created man, he made both male and female. As such, the Church of England emphasizes that marriage is strictly between the two opposite sexes (Archbishop’s Council,
Introduction
When talking about same sex marriages, reference is often directed to gay and lesbian marriages or unions. The debate on same sex marriages has often attracted heated responses from concerned quarters. The key factor of contention, as research affords, is whether or not same sex marriages should be legalized, seeing that marriage has always been considered to be a fundamental institution within the society. History provides a specific timeline for the derogatory malfunction of the institution of marriage, from the substitution or interchanging of the roles of husband and wife, to the proliferation of divorce as a common occurrence or outcome of marriages. Therefore, commentators view the advent of same sex marriages as a final nail on the casket that is the institution of marriage. Popular literature suggests that public opinion seems to be evolving, and, as such, support for same sex marriages is set to become widespread in the near future. In 2013, the UK joined the list of the few nations that have legalized same sex marriage, drawing concerns from religious quarters. Essentially, the same sex marriage debate pits religion and the law in divergent spheres. This paper seeks to methodically present the arguments for and against same sex marriages. Arguments Supporting Same Sex Marriage Champions of same sex marriage have always intimated that the refutation of marriage to gays and lesbians is perhaps one of the strictest forms of inequality and discrimination on part of the society. This sentiment, therefore, firmly establishes the argument by champions of same sex marriages in the context of the legal realm. As research provides, supporters argue that there exists a distinct doctrine that defines the separation of the religion or the church, from the state. As a matter of fact, The Archbishop’s Council (2014) notes that there exists an intrinsic misunderstanding of what constitutes the relationship between the Church of England and parliament. This essentially intimates that what the church believes does not entirely carry weight within the legal context. Hence, moral disapproval of same sex marriages by the church cannot be held as a premise for the denial of same sex marriages to gays and lesbians. Additionally, some supporting quarters have also tabled the emotional argument caused by the denial of same sex marriages. They claim that it essentially deprives certain families and children of the value of what constitutes the institution of marriage The support for gay marriages based on the factor of equality and discrimination is also established by proponents with reference to the constitution. Supporters argue that under the constitution of the UK, marriage is recognized as an inherent right and freedom. In essence, every person was created equally and, therefore, has got a right to equal representation under the law. Given this fact, it is, therefore, improper and to that effect unconstitutional for same sex marriages to be restricted. This argument gained strength after the assent of the same ex marriage bill by the Queen in 2013. According to Prime Minister David Cameron, this legislation essentially reinforced the long and proud tradition of tolerance and equal worth in the United Kingdom (BBC, 2014). Another premise establishing the argument for same sex marriages is the expression of the fact that gay and lesbians, by virtue of their marriage, essentially do not harm anyone. This argument essentially seeks to rephrase the following question; is there any …show more content…
In this regard, this paper limits religion to the Christian perspective alone, with specific reference to The Church of England. The first argument against same sex marriages is based primarily on the intended sexuality of human beings, which as is evident in the bible, distinguishes between a man and a woman, or the male and female gender (Archbishop’s Council, 2014). It also establishes God’s plan for the institution of marriage. In Genesis 1:27 (New King James Version), God created both male and female in his own image. Chapter 2:18 continues to state that God made Adam a helper, who he named woman. These two verses principally establish the individual sexuality of both male and female. Therefore, when God created man, he made both male and female. As such, the Church of England emphasizes that marriage is strictly between the two opposite sexes (Archbishop’s Council,