Nontraditional Relationship

“Although sharply divided, public attitudes toward gays and lesbians are rapidly changing to reflect greater acceptance, with younger generations leading the way” (NORC University of Chicago, 2010, p. 1). This push for international acceptance of the LGBT people could not come any sooner. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals as well as transgender individuals from around the world have almost all experienced some sort of discrimination in their lives. This is why there is such a gap between heterosexual and LGBT people. There are hundreds, if not more, reasons for why some people will not accept LGBT individuals and couples, whether it is religion, family values or simply the fact that some people find LGBT people unnatural. This is why the common sufferings

Sexuality is one of the most divisive issues in America. Should lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) people receive protection against discrimination? Should they be allowed to get married? Is conversion therapy ethical? These disagreements rest on ideas of what is natural for people to be. Heterosexuality is seen as the default, natural state, and this conception shows up in arguments about marriage and conversion therapy, with a range of negative consequences for queer people. However, straightness is not any more natural than queerness.

This article by Brittany H. Bramlett analyzes the relationship with religion and contact with homosexuals in the United States. The article takes a look on how relationships with gays and lesbians may influence people of different faiths and religious traditions differently or not at all (The Cross-Pressures of Religion and Contact with Gays 1). The results from the article showed that people of

Have you ever wondered how sexuality is viewed in the eyes of a different culture? Since America is a melting pot specifically with the Latino culture we have and is a very diverse country, it still carries culture identity. When you have a set cultural ideology for example the Latino Culture ideology, it sets the rules and norms for gender and sexual identity. In this essay we will be talking about how religious aspects of the Latino/a culture are affecting how people view sexual orientation. How religion in the Latino culture creates a discrimination against homosexuality and non-gender norms. This topic was chosen because I believe it is interesting how some cultures are used to believing that certain rituals and big events have to be within a man and a woman and cannot be both. I have personally witnessed how sexuality does affect the Latino culture; and has been involved in the rituals that make it so heteronormative. Through evidence of religious cultures, gendered identities and family structures we will see how religion in the Latino culture shapes and forms sexuality. I will be examining how Catholicism shapes cultural norms for sexual orientation and gender identity, how heteronormativity is reinforced as the main stream within the religious Latino culture and how it is insensitive towards homosexuality. How having family and social circles that are used to a culture around are perpetuating gender identity against sexuality.

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.

In the article “Taking Marriage Private,” Stephanie Coontz says that we should go back to original marriage traditions in the United States. With original marriage traditions, the church tells people what is respectful and lawful. It is up to the people after that to figure out whether they want their marriage legalized. If their marriages are legal with a license, then they are able to have stability and liability.

The story “Foundation of the Earth” by Randall Kenan tells us about the life of 70 years old Mrs. Maggie MacGowan Williams. She lives in a small community where religious standards and principles are considered extremely important and people who do something that is not in accordance to the doctrine are frowned upon. Ms. Maggie’s grandson Edward has just died and she found out that the reason he had stayed away from home all these years was because he was gay and married to another man. According to her, she had always followed the laws of the bible and raised her grandson in the church but could not comprehend how he could live his life in such sin. She is trying to come to terms with this new development and keeping it a secret from the community. For the love she has for her grandson, whom she has raised as her own son since he was a baby, Ms. Maggie tries to be open-minded and accept her granson’s sexualilty even though it goes against everything she has believed in her christian values. This story exemplifies that fact that many people believe that christianity and homosexuality are mutually exclusive and do not go hand in hand. Ms. Maggie is trying to take a stand and show people that it can work by accepting her grandson’s sexuality and his husband and still uphold her christian morals. This story demonstrates and research confirms that a majority of people still view homosexuality as a choice; and that the attempt to reconcile between being gay and christian

As counselors work with all clients, it’s important for them to evaluate their own belief system and how their own beliefs will affect counseling their clients (Barret & Barzan,1996). Keeping this in mind, counselors also need to understand that many sexual minority clients have faced a great deal of anguish as they have been raised in religious communities that condemn homosexuality (1996). Rather then being taught to embrace their sexuality, many are taught to condemn their sexual orientation, leaving them conflicted between their sexuality and their religious beliefs (1996).Counselors should also remember that religion is one of the infinite ways in which a person expresses their communal spirituality (1996) and it would

A universal constant is that everything seems to change over time. Leadership, morals, cultures, and standards all change as time continues. It is a known fact that the days in which the Bible was written, differs a lot than issues that occur today. Yet Christians are to look to the Bible for answers for today. The Bible can seem a little cloudy on subjects or may not even touch on certain subjects that we have today. Gay marriage seems to date back even in the Old Testament time period, yet Jesus never said mentioned gay marriage. Some Christians are completely lost on how to react to a new movement where Christianity is being attacked for being judgmental and full of hate. A correct response to any marriage begins with the knowledge of the origin of marriage, the purpose of marriage, and the roles of marriage.

Heterosexuals with orthodox religious beliefs perceive the growing acceptance of gay men and lesbians as the decline of American morals (e.g., importance of heterosexuality; Herek, 1988). Younger people perceive older people as more dishonest than younger people, and older people perceive younger people as more dishonest than older people as well (Schniter & Shields, 2014).

When the idea of marriage first came to light there was no church involvement. A couple simply moved in together and were considered married. Woman had no say as to whom they were married to, their father or head of house made that decision for them for political, economical or social gain. The women were considered property whilst the male was not exclusive to the marriage and could have many additional spouses. In the 50’s interracial marriage was illegal since then society realised that this was an unjust law that denied equal rights to couples who loved each other. The issue of gay marriage is no different. Denying marriage to two individuals who love each other is to deny them a fundamental freedom. Since these times marriage has changed dramatically, it has always evolved with the culture in which it’s enacted.

The institution of marriage has been around for many years. Times have changed and society has grown as a whole. The United States has laws that prohibit same-sex marriages or do not grant them the same privileges as "traditional" marriages. You will see how behind this great nation has remained. As many countries around the world explore less traditional ways of life, the United States has been left in the dust.

Responding to how sexual prejudice stems from how an individual constructs what is moral, Christopher Rosik and his coauthors contends that religion is one medium used by individuals to shape their attitudes towards homosexuality. While religion plays an important role in constructing these norms – the moral phycology of an individual serves as the primary agent in shaping any attitudes towards Gay and Lesbian (GL). The group of researchers break moral indictors into 5 separate categories – in which Purity and Sanctity are not explicit to just religion. They frame their argument in a way that places responsibility on how the individual construct the way they see the world and anything that goes against the contrary to that reality is a violation

I was raised in a christian home as I grew up and still consider myself a christian today. I was taught by my parents and role-models many things, but the few that I would like to focus on due to the context of this paper would be the following: loving others, and the opposition of homosexuality. As a christian I learned that homosexuality is not just wrong, but it is a sin as it is unnatural and not a part of God’s plan for us. Growing up, it took me a while to understand what homosexuality was and how it was growing in our society and the challenges that would come with the rise of it. For a time, I did not know how to handle the situation of rising homosexuality because I was told to love others; yet condemn homosexuality. The point where I was initially at a loss was where my cousin, who came from a family of strong christians opened up that he was gay, and this challenged my family, extended family, and myself as a situation that was now a reality. As I mentioned that initially I had struggled with a means on how to deal with this situation, I soon discovered my footing and where I stand when it comes to dealing with homosexuals which came from my teachings

"In recent decades, marriage has been weakened by a revisionist view that is more about adults’ desires than children’s needs... Redefining marriage to include same-sex relationships is the culmination of this revisionism, and it would leave emotional intensity as the only thing that sets marriage apart from other bonds." (Heritage.org)