What's Wrong With Gay Marriage By Katha Pollitt

However Bennett he brings up two points which divide opinions about same-sex marriage. One is whether homosexual marriage strengthens or weakens the institution of marriage. The other is what the definition of marriage is. If the definition of marriage were changed too much to include same-sex union, the tradition of marriage would be changed. However, there are many people who want alternatives to traditional marriage or want marriage to more than two people. Bennett asks how we can consider these people if we are changing the rules for same-sex couples. It is difficult to say what the right answer is. Marriage also means to decide your best partner. Everyone desires a beautiful life with a partner, but most marriage is not as the ideal as we think. He mentions that many supporters of same-sex couples do not share this ideal (Bennett p.30). Another different opinion from proponents to opponents of same-sex marriage is “the very heart of marriage itself” (Bennett p.30). Marriage tradionally is that of a man and a woman who love, respect, and help each other. Olson says the marriage case is about “rights and happiness and equal treatment” that is what people have learned in this society. The definition cannot be changed easily by anyone. In addition, this thought has been taught for a long time in history. Therefore, we should

In his essay titled “Gay Marriage: Societal Suicide,” Charles Colson talks about his reasons for opposing same-sex marriage. The essays’ main argument is built around Colson’s belief that legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to the decoupling of marriage, and ultimately result in what he describes as: “an explosive increase in family collapse, out of wedlock births - and crime.” Colson shares his personal experiences as a prison minister, various studies, statistics, and real world examples to elucidate the reasons behind his controversial stance on marital rights.

Colson is very clear on where he stands saying, “marriage is the traditional building block of human society, intended both to unite couples and bring children into the world,” and says that same sex marriage will increase the “family collapse.” (535) In his defense, Colson uses personal experience along with the statistical support of broken families to show the terrible effects it causes. Gay marriage supporters argue that most family tragedies are from broken heterosexual bonds involving many christians, which Colson agrees with, but replies saying, “the fact that we have badly served the institution of marriage is not a reflection on the institution of marriage itself; it is a reflection on us.” (535) Colson stands strong with an idea that marriage is strictly between a man and woman, and that is the best structure for child rearing and cultural

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.

Gay marriage has been an issue for a very long time and since some states are legalizing it, many worry that it would soon be added as an amendment. The topic of gay marriage brings up religious, legal, and many other issues. In "What's wrong with Gay Marriage?" by Katha Pollitt, the author supports gay marriage and wants it legalized. She states that there is no problem with gay marriage and it's all a matter of separating the church and state. But in “Gay ‘Marriage’: Societal Suicide,” by Charles Colson, the author opposes the idea of gay marriage and states that it will destroy society. Marriage is intended to unite a man and a woman together to bring children into the world, but due to the same-sex marriage,

The first of these ideas, is procreation. She argues that one of the most popular theories is that of procreation, stating that, “couples often live together and tie the knot only when baby’s on the way” (Pollitt 460). However she goes on to explain that even couples who can't have children on their own, whether it be due to infertility, or birth control, etc., they can still be married, so it shouldn't be any different for those who want to marry the same sex. Another point argued in her essay is how religion plays a factor in people’s opposition to gay marriage.

Debates about gay marriage continue to simmer within American public discourse, though much of the more heated rhetoric has calmed since the earliest efforts to legalize same-sex marriage succeeded in numerous states. These debates have spanned many topics, ranging from religion to politics and beyond. Andrew Sullivan, a prominent gay and self-described conservative political commentator, addressed one angle of the issue in his July 19, 2011 Newsweek Magazine article “Why Gay Marriage is Good for America.” Through a mixture of personal reflection, social commentary, and political argumentation, Sullivan’s article is less a defense of gay marriage than it is a defense of the idea that gay marriage is compatible with conservative political values. Although Sullivan makes a good case for his position in the article, his argument is ultimately under-developed; the lengthy personal reflections serve to reinforce a relatively minor point in the context of the larger argument, shifting focus away from the more relevant portions of the argument.

Critique of Bennett’s “Against Gay Marriage” Gay marriage is repeatedly under the magnifying glass in the media, the papers, and constantly opposed by adamant conservative politicians. In his piece “Against Gay Marriage,” Bennett demonstrates this issue. William Bennett himself is a married conservative politician. Due to this, we can better understand the flailing urgency of his argument against homosexual marriage. Bennett takes a very strong and adamant approach to what is a particularly sensitive subject at this moment in time, and leaps into act of persuading his audience to turn away from the idea of legalizing gay marriage, or even to reject it.

What is the reason for two people to get married: for fame, for fortune, for family, or for love? Why should only those who have been deemed acceptable by society be allowed to marry? Do we as people have the right to deny two people who love each other a holy matrimony because they are different? Marriage has many definitions, and what some people think will destroy the sanctity of the marriage we hold so dearly has actually been keeping it alive for centuries. William Bennett’s essay “Against Gay Marriage” promotes a conservative marriage ideal while Stephanie Coontz’ “The Radical Idea of Marrying for Love” promotes multiple ideas of what marriage can be. Both have very different views on fidelity, monogamous marriages, and same sex couples and their effect on marriage. However there is clearly no one correct way to be married.

Jonathan Rauch’s article titled “For Better or Worse?” discusses the main purpose of marriage and how marriage has changed over time . Jonathan says marriage nowadays is between two individuals and how that couple interprets it. Throughout his article, Rauch debates on the negative views of gay marriage.

Same sex marriage is one of the most controversial trends that appear in the world today. In today’s society most of us are taught that a marriage should be a

There are many controversies surrounding today's world, such as abortion, animal testing, and social reform issues. It seems that no one can come to a common agreement on the legitimacy of these topics. Personal characteristics, such as upbringing, culture, religion and ethnicity, all play a role in determining one's feelings on a given controversial issue. However, one of the most protested and discussed issues in current political debate is same-sex marriage. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, only hard pressed arguments expressing speculation regarding supposed outcomes, benefits and possible tribulations that would come along with the endorsement of gay marriage. Such ideas are shown

As we know, same-sex marriage has been discussed and argued for a long time. Within the controversial topic of gay rights, there’s no area more controversial than same-sex marriage. And all of us ask ourselves if same-sex marriage should be legal or not. But the fact is that we have to start thinking about it as a moral and religious topic. The government shouldn’t legalize the same-sex marriage because the

One of the most controversial issues around today is gay marriages. Many believe that the media is primly responsible for the idea of same-sex marriages, but when it all comes down to it there are really only two sides; those who support gay marriages, and those who oppose them. Two authors write their opinions on their opposite views on this issue. Sullivan (2002) supports same-sex marriages and believes marriage to be a universal right, not just restricted to heterosexuals. Contrary to Sullivan, Bennett (2002) believes that marriage is a sacred traditional family value that should be set aside for heterosexual couples. (2002)Throughout this essay, I will summarize both authors’ ideas and evaluate them through their evidence and

Same-Sex Marriage has been an issue in our country since the 1970s. In 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all fifty states. In the article, “Gay Marriage – and Marriage”, the author, Sam Shulman, is an opponent of same-sex marriage. He explains his position as “someone passionately and instinctively opposed to the idea of homosexual marriage.” (Shulman) He believes that same-sex marriage will make humanity worse off than it already.