Gay Rights And Religious Freedom

Although the gay community and unfortunately the Church often refuse to acknowledge a minority of Christians who experience same-sex attraction without label themselves as gay, these Christians are an example in which faith strictly affects attractions concerns. This is why some researchers (openly against religions) think that Christian beliefs and government institutions play a significant role in shaping societal attitudes about homosexuality, “promulgating beliefs and policies that place homosexuality in a negative light” (Henshaw, 2014, p. 959).

In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown into a nationwide controversy, reverberating into the halls of congress, at the white house, in dozens of state and legislature and courtrooms, and in the rhetoric of election campaigns at both the national and state levels. As the debate rages on, the American religious community remains deeply divided over the issue, and over the morality of homosexuality. The debate has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a national and even worldwide controversy.

The controversy between marriage equality and the exercise of religious freedom is a confliction between nondiscrimination laws and religious freedom laws. Religious freedom seemed to be an important aspect of an American citizen, after all it is the very first amendment to the constitution. With each American citizen being granted equality by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination made against an individual based on his/her sexual preference may seem to violate this act. In history, religious organizations typically been immune from state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, with the cases of Obergefell v. Hodges and Kim Davis this stance is challenged.

In this article, “Kentucky Clerk Ordered to Jail for Refusing to Issue Gay Marriage License” the author James Higdon focuses on the recent topic of gay marriage. Higdon’s story relates to a Kentucky woman named Kim Davis. Davis was arrested September 3, 2015 because she refused to issue marriage license to a gay couple. “Under questioning from her attorney, Davis went on to express her opposition to same-sex marriage, which she said was ‘not of God’ and contrary to natural law and therefore not something that she could condone” (Higdon). This quote shows that Davis refused to issue marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs. Davis’s religious beliefs are so strong that she continued to fight with the law and the court judge

For the past 3 decades the views surrounding marriage has undergone a great deal of change (Lennox, 2015, p. 1101). This shift is due to the continual discussion of gay marriage. The interplay of religion and politics has led for much controversy. In the United States, the use of Christian and Jewish biblical texts are the main sources drawn upon for opposition, but have also been used as a supportive means of equality. Beyond the religious there are also psychological and physical health arguments, as well as civil rights arguments. Same sex marriage is examined through different paradigms, thus giving rise to religious, political/legal, and religious arguments surrounding the legalization of this institution for gay and lesbian couples.

When it comes to the gay rights movement, the structure and the history of how it got to where it is today is a huge factor in today’s society. There have been a lot of things that negatively influenced gay rights. In some ways, things have happened in a positive way as well. The gay rights movement today and legalizing gay marriage has struck some people the wrong way because of their beliefs. For the gay community, though, it has been a very positive thing. Some of the big key moments in history went the way they did because of important events and important people causing it to go that way. These include Jeremy Bentham, Magnus Hirschfield, Henry Gerber, the making of the Mattachine Society, Stonewall Riots, Clela Rorex, the Ryan White

On June 26th, 2015, the United States Supreme Court voted to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide and in doing so, rattled the belief system of many Christians around the country. Many took to social media and with the terror and panic of Chicken Little cried, “The sky is falling”, while others lashed out in hateful speech towards the lawmakers and the homosexual community that celebrated their newly given liberty. As Christians begin to look toward the future with a new definition of marriage put into effect before the country, many begin to question what this will mean for the next generation of believers and for the church moving forward. While the federal government may revise the definition of marriage, as outlined in the constitution, it does not have the ability to change the truth of scripture or the definition of marriage outlines within.

Same-sex couples are becoming increasingly popular in our society and advocates have been pushing for social justice to abolish sexual discrimination. America has been misled by opponents of the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts who claim a business' right to religious freedom to turn away gay customers is discrimination and bigotry, and we need to return to the biblical view of homosexuality as what it really is: sin. This paper will cover religious freedom and the advancement of gay rights in society today as it pertains to the opposing arguments of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed recently in Indiana.

Many cases have been filed to the Supreme Court of the United States to legalize gay marriage, but the Supreme Court was reluctant to legalize it because it contradicts with most religions, including Christian religion. However, very recently the Supreme Court by 5-4 has legalized the same sex marriage. People also were divided into two groups. The first group were mostly conservative whom see this kind of marriage contradicts with their religious belief, opposed the decision. Second Group has welcomed the decision and consider it a landmark decision throughout the history of the United States. Thereby, people whom were deprived from getting marriage license due to their same sex statue began to go to courts to have their marriage license based on the law of the land of the Supreme Court. In one very complicated instance, the Kentucky Clark, Kimberly Jean Bailey Davis, refused to issue marriage license to four couples. She states that "To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God 's definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience," Davis said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will.

Even though all states are supposed to follow the supreme law of the land, some states have refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. This is exemplified by Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky. She refused to issue licences to same-sex couples, citing “ 'God’s authority ' ” (nytimes.com) as her reason. “ 'To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience, ' she said. She added: 'I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s word. ' ” (nytimes.com). Ultimately, Davis spent a little under a week in jail and returned to her position as county clerk.

Gay rights are a civil rights issue although unrecognized on a par with women or Africans. As the definition of civil rights states “those positive rights, whether political, social or economic, conferred by the government on individuals or groups that had previously been denied them” (Yalof, 108). Homosexuals have been discriminated against historically, by both religious and political groups. There have been cases where they have been discriminated at work, clergy, and the military.

While some states have began to embrace the civil rights of all American people and allowing both hetero- and homo-sexual couples to marry, some states have done quite the opposite and banned same sex marriages and unions. Not all Americans feel so strongly about legalizing same sex marriage. Those against same sex marriage believe marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman. However, that has not always been true, as explained in the beginning of this paper, the ancient people commonly wed the same gender and them and also had same sex sexual relations (ProCon.org). In fact in the first century Nero the Emperor of Rome married at least two of his lovers who were men (Chastain 19.) It was not until Christianity became a wide spread religion that sodomy and homosexuality became immoral. Those who oppose the legalization of gay marriage also believe that same sex marriage will threaten the institution of marriage. Marriages since 2011 have been at a new low, with only 52 percent of adults being married (Yen). However gays are fighting for the right to marry who they love, while heterosexual couples take that for granted. Divorce rates are currently lingering around 40-50% that is without gays being able to be married in many states. By allow homosexuals to marry their significant others, it will allow for a stronger bond and maybe bring back life into the deteriorating world of marriage. In states that do allow for same sex marriages, their divorce rates are

A hot topic in American politics today is the question of civil rights. While a civil right is defined as an enforceable right or privilege, people still have trouble agreeing what should be counted as a civil right. In a recent event, two civil rights that come into contention with each other were gay marriage and religious freedom. A prime example of the conflict was the case of Kim Davis, who denied same-sex couples marriage licenses based on religious freedom. The case showed us that a civil right needs to have limitations so as to not infringe on other constitutional civil rights. In other words, the state should not allow religious freedom to hinder marriage equality. This is what we will examine throughout the

Homosexual pastors in the clergy have prompted mass contention among the Christian Churches of America concerning its compatibility with the Bible’s teaching. LGBT(lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender) support has grown exponentially over the past decade, especially with the recent ruling on gay marriage by the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015. This support has not only come from outside the church, but from the members within. Some denominational churches such as that of Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Evangelical Lutheran, have widely accepted and supported homosexuals to serve in the clergy and even be appointed as pastors (Masci). Controversy has sprouted from whether gay pastors are spreading God’s love or going against God’s definition of matrimonial love.

Homosexuality continues as a controversial topic of conversation amongst the civil society and church worldwide. Although in recent decades the homosexual agenda appears to gain territory in legislation and so called civil rights we (Bible believing Christians) should understand that even though gay marriages are supported by the legal system the body of Christ is under a different governing system. As ambassadors of the Kingdom, imitators of Jesus Christ, and Image bearers of God we must acknowledge marriage as a sacred institution between one man and one woman not between the same sex. Meaning we do not condone homosexuality but our love toward homosexuals honor God’s word (NIV, Mr. 10: 6-9; Jn. 3:16). Therefore, the body of Christ should