While browsing through cnn.com--the only thing in my life that keeps me updated on current events--I came across a video titled Have Baby in 3 Years or Divorce, Proposal Says and got curious. I watched this video and found myself completely appalled by this new proposal. Initiative 957 is requiring that marriages in the state of Washington have a child within 3 years of their marriage. They must prove that they are able to procreate before getting married and if they do not the marriage will be annulled.
I have so many things to say about this -- especially as someone who decided when I start my own family I do not want to put more children on this earth when there are so many in need of adoption.
I decided to do a little research on this to ensure that I know what I am talking about when I start to fight against this propsal and boy am I glad I did.
While it is true that they are trying to get I-957 on the ballot in November, it is not true that the creator of the proposal is serious about it. Instead, he is serious about a much larger issue--what defines a marriage?
When Washington passed a law that same sex marriages are not legal in the state of Washington the Supreme Court mentioned procreation multiple times as support behind that decision. This new proposal is solely to raise awareness of the absurdity of saying who can and cannot fall in love and decide to spend the rest of their lives together.
If I am unable to birth a child would it be fair for my government to tell me I cannot get married because marriage is for the purpose of procreation. Isn't that what the Catholic church believes? Who gets to say that the Catholic church is wrong or right here? Likewise, if I fall in love with another woman is it fair for my government to tell me I cannot marry her because marriage is a union between a man and a woman? Isn't that what the Catholic church believes? Again, who gets to say the Catholic church is wrong or right here?
Where do we draw the line of separation of church and state? Isn't homosexuality wrong because the church said so? It is a sin, I don't disagree with that but so is having sex before marriage and I don't see states outlawing that...
Just some things to ponder before making a decision and standing by it on whether or not same sex marriage should be legal.
To read the article I read about Initiative 957 click here
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4 comments:
Hey Monaca-
To fall in love with a member of the same sex or not? The Catholic church has always taught that marriage is between a man and women. It has never said that two men or two women can not love each or live together. But must live together as a brother or sister type arrangement, never having sex togehther. Yes, the Catholic church does say marriage is for procreation, but it is not the only reason. Love is the first and formost reason for a man to join his wife. If they can't haev children of their own then adoption is a viable option.
You raised great questions is the Cathiolic chuirch right or wrong. Through history most moral thinking came from teh Church. So who should we look to in times like these with so many peole not knowing where to turn. I like to liosten to people that are much wiser and smarter teh me for the truth. because that is what Jesus preached, the truth.
So to all lovers out there on V day. May God bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand as we all journey into eternity.
You know who-
love you.
Okay-true the Catholic church does not say that the only reason for marriage is to procreate.
You make a good point when you say "Love is the first and foremost reason for [marriage]." I agree. I also agree that two men and two women can love each other--I can love my best friend, Ann, the same way I can love you. However, would I say I love Ann the same way I love Ari? Would you say you love your wife the same way you love me? I would hope not.
I remember throughout my life hearing people say that you "can't help who you love" or that there is no reason behind feelings, people "just fall in love". So if my friend, Loryn fell in love with Samantha the same way you couldn't help falling in love with your wife, why is it okay for you to get married and be happy for the rest of your life but not for Loryn and Samantha? Afterall, the first and formost reason for marriage should be love. Right?
PS- when you say to listen to people who are much wiser and smarter, are you hinting that I should listen to you? :)
I think this is a great way to show how the most typical reason given for why homosexuality is wrong is absurd. But the procreation excuse is a popular level Catholic answer, the Orthodox church answer, and has recently become the conservative evangelical answer. Read recent articles on marriage and sex on Christianity Today and you will find that the purpose of marriage and sex is being redefined as procreation. Why, so that they have a reason for condemning gays. I think it is very twisted and personally hold a very different theology of sex. But when hate and fear replace reason and love, you get absurdities that lead to stuff like this.
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