Homosexual unions and the sanctity of marriage

[BenGarrett]

Okay, I've readmany debates on this forum in regards to gay marriage and its impact on the sanctity of marriage.

Now, first of all, I believe wholeheartedly that permitting gay marriage would threaten the sanctity of the institution of marriage.

But I've been thinking (which is always dangerous), and I have a question to pose: For those of us who are condemning gay marriage based on its threat to the sanctity of marriage, yet do not condemn the rampant divorce rates in our nation, how hypocritical are we being?

Seriously. I've read that as many as 40 percent to 50 percent of all current marriages will end in divorce, which is pretty astounding when you think about it. Isn't our willingness to simply shrug off the commitment associated with marriage doing just as much (if not more) to destroy the sanctity of marriage as allowing gays to wed would do?

I say yes.

I'll even take that a step further: Those of us who argue against homosexual marriages, as it relates to the sanctity of marriage, based on our Christian beliefs are being doubly hypocritical unless we condemn not only the rampant divorce rates but also the even-more-rampant issue of pre-marital sex. I would submit to you that if a single sin determined whether a person was hellbound or heavenbound, divorce or sex outside of wedlock would send a person to hell just as quick as a man having sex with another man would do. Because, in my Bible at least, we're taught that sin is sin is sin. Is divorce a "worse" sin than homosexuality? I have no idea. If I were guessing, I'd say no, because the Bible uses much harsher language to condemn homosexuality than it does adultery or fornication. But there's no denying that either of the other two are sins, and that both are very detrimental to the sanctity of marriage.

Don't misunderstand me: I'm not suggesting that gay marriage DOESN'T threaten the sanctity of marriage. It does, and in my opinion shouldn't be allowed under ANY circumstances. I simply think that if we truly value the sanctity of marriage, then we'd better start working at it from both ends, not just one.

Now, let me have it with both barrels.

I don't get it. What does divorce rate have to do with it?

[vc1111]

Excellent topic. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Big country, look up the word sanctity.

[BenGarrett]

BC, I suppose it all boils down to what values one places on marriage. Is it simply a beneficial union that should be reserved for one man and one woman, or is it a sacred institution that means more than that?

For me, it's the latter. I believe there was a time when it was for the vast majority of Americans, and I believe it still is for many today. And that was the angle I was posting from.

So, with that in mind, divorce matters very much. Because on the one hand we're saying that homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to marry because marriage is sacred, because marriage is this and that. . . and yet, we're proving that marriage isn't too sacred to us after all, because we can begin and terminate a marriage with the same ease and hum-ho way we would terminate a hunting lease. When you have people getting married and saying they'll try it for a few years to see if it works out, marriage isn't too sacred is it? It used to be considered a lifetime commitment; You know, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, and all the rest. It no longer is, and so I just feel we're being hypocritical.

Now them that don't think marriage is anything more than a simple union that should be reserved for man and woman, then my argument doesn't apply to them.

First off, yes, marriage is holy. It was commanded by God, (for us Christians anyway). But bottom line is people sin. People are selfish and people are liars. They may break a promise to God. Butis adding another sin due to the sin of divorce logical? Marriage and divorce of a man and woman has precidence. It has a history. And evolved. Divorce for true believers is wrong. I know, cause I have struggled with this as a person who got divorced before I became a Christian.

Sorry guys I still don't see the connection. Are you trying to say, "well divorce is far from holy, and is allowed, so why not gays"? Thats absolutes. I know people hate it when I say that. But those arguments for absolutes are pretty common on this web site. Its kinda like saying, people are commanded by law to wear a seat belt cause of safety and cost to citizens, so motorcycles should be outlawed. It just doesn't work very well.

Bottom line, is homosexuality is still not commonly accepted. They have made some serious ground in the last 20 years. But still not near there. At least while we, as a country, still accept basic Christian values. And yes, sadly that has lost some serious ground in the last 20 years.

[mr-pirk]

Ben Garrett I agree with your post. Marriage has been reduced to something quite less than sacred as a result of the "œno-fault"� divorce.

The damage that has been done to the sanctity of marriage by the rampant divorce rate is enormous.

Back in the dark ages when I was a repairman in a housing project, I witnessed two young women talking about a boyfriend one of them had.
One gal asked the other if she was going to marry the boy friend. The one asked replied that, yep she was going to marry him. She was going to marry him because he didn"™t want her driving his new hot-rod car.

She said she would marry him, and not only drive his car, but would also take the car when they got divorced.

I have no doubt that this same gal would have been aghast at homosexual marriage. I am sure she would have seen it as destroying the sanctity of marriage, all the while not seeing the greater damage she was preparing to do.

Thanks
Mr-Pirk

[Charlie P]

I don't see how letting a same sex couple ahve a civil cermony willle ffct my 17 year marriage.

[kevin1]

I don't know about anyone else's marriage , but when I spoke the words "until death do us part" I was making a commitment based on honor and trust , and I meant every word I said . Yeah , a bikini clad lovely will catch my eye sometimes , but I'd no more cheat on my wife than stick a gun to my own head . A divorce used to be extremely hard to get , once that fell by the wayside commitment to the concept of marriage fell too . Many of the folks I grew up with have been divorced several times , I always ask them the same question: "Why did you bother ?" Their answer is always the same: "It seemed like a good idea at the time ."

ORIGINAL: Charlie P

I don't see how letting a same sex couple ahve a civil cermony willle ffct my 17 year marriage.

Charlie, where did marriage come from? The traditional point of veiw that is? I guess to you marriage isn't holy (i.e. sanctity) or have anything to do with deity because you have told us you were an athiest. I actually am surprised you got married with your views. But hey, thats a good thing your participating in. Congrads on 17 years.

[Charlie P]

Bc, My views, LOL. The divorced rate is hightest for people that get married in a church.

Where did marriage come from,well originally, marriges were to bind women to men,basically making the woman a mans property.

They had nothing to do with religion.