The debate over same sex marriage - the argument, for and against

When an argument can become so quickly personal and seem to be an attack on a persons identity, emotional remarks can quickly cloud the reason behind the argument for and against same sex marriage. So what do each side argue for, and what are they not arguing for?

The argument of same sex marriage (SSM) advocates:

1. Love is the sole defining element of marriage. 
2. Current laws discriminate as they deny basic human rights (to marry whomever they want ) 
3. Any assertion that gay and lesbian people are different psychologically damages them. 
4. it is the state’s responsibility to limit such damage. 
5. Marriage equality’ affirms homosexuals in their identity and celebrates love and gives people what they want – so extending the freedom of choice that we demand of a liberal society. 
6. Every society and generation can renegotiate marriage as it sees fit.

For gay marriage advocates, the ultimate end is: the recognition of gay unions as marriages in all fifty states and ultimately around the world as part of the process of creating a world in which sexual orientation is treated like race. The goal being no significant distinction between gender or gender roles. They have already gained equal rights for same sex couples through same sex unions. Same sex marriage as an attempt to dismantle the current definition and morality tied to marriage and reinstate a new definition and a new morality.

The same sex marriage strategy:

UK commentator Brendan O’Neill remarks, same-sex marriage has become the platform from which to announce a superior moral position and a new sexual morality. Those against it are portrayed ‘not simply as old-fashioned or wrong-headed, but as morally circumspect, possibly even evil.’ —Where homosexuality was even recently condemned by the society, now it is considered a sin to believe that homosexuality is wrong in any way. Those who oppose same sex marriage are often called homoephobic, gay bashers and intolerant amongst other things. They preach tolerance but are completely intolerant of those that differ with their position.

This causes celebrities like Britney Spears to tweet last summer, “So happy! Today is a great day for love and equality”, in response to the news a US federal judge ruled that a California ballot banning gay marriage was unconstitutional. The rhetorical affirmation of gay marriage places a celebrity on the right side of the cultural divide. No one with an aspiration to succeed in show business can afford to be on the other side.

The preoccupation of professional victimologists is reflected in popular culture. Cinema and television transmit stereotypical stories about unhappy, failed and dysfunctional heterosexual marriages. In contrast, same-sex unions are treated with reverence and often depicted as a mature relationship between two equals.  Indeed it is deeply insulting to suggest, as some have done explicitly or implicitly, that the vast majority of Australians until now, who have supported the classical understanding of marriage, are guilty of an ingrained prejudice akin to racism. 

My argument:

The argument I am making is based on a conviction of the goodness of God and the goodness of His design for marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says “Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure” and therefore I believe The fight for retaining the definition of and strengthening of heterosexual marriage is one that blesses both Christians and non Christians. God created men and women as equal but different for the purpose of marriage. Heterosexual marriage alone, as God created it, provides the best environment for:

–lifelong companionship,
–procreation,
–the upbringing of children where children can understand how to rightly express their maleness or femaleness,
–the health and well being of men and women
–the strengthening of society. 

We must retain the current definition of marriage and work towards strengthening marriages for the good of individuals, children, society and all for glory of God.

What I am not arguing for:

• The diminishment of the value and dignity of those who struggle with Same sex attraction 
• Encourage hate towards those who struggle with Same sex attraction 
• That homosexual practice is any worse than other sins. 
• That those who struggle with same sex attraction cannot be Christian.
• Good morals get you into heaven

Most come with an agenda, with their mind set. Please hear what the bible has to say today afresh. Please listen to the facts that I have piled up so that we can seek the truth in this matter. 

Marriage is created and defined by God in the bible

In Genesis 1:27-28 we see God's ultimate purpose for his creation, as both male and female, man reflects and mirrors the character of God as His image bearers. 

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”"

Marriage unites two complementary (equal but different) people as “one flesh”. 

—The missing part of man is found in woman and vice versa. Sexual intercourse or marriage between members of the same sex does not restore the disunion because it does not reconnect complementary being. Genesis 2:23-24 says:

"When the woman is created from his side, the man exclaims: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

In Gen 2:18-24, “Adam”, the human creation from the “ground” (adama), is literally dismembered. His side is split open in order to provide for him the companionship of a complementary being. 

God’s authority alone creates the institution of marriage. —

Remarkably Jesus picked up on this link between creation and marriage and life-long covenant, weaving together these very two texts from Genesis. Matthew 19:4-6:

—“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female [Genesis 1:27], and said [quoting Genesis 2:24], “Therefore [linking creation and marriage] a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 

Therefore, says James White “Man does not have the power, and man does not have the authority, to affect such a union; hence, all same-sex marriages, all same-sex unions, are, by that, unnatural and lacking divine approbation and approval. We take the words of Jesus, in authentic Christianity, as defining God’s purpose in the creation of man as male and female.”

Marriage is ultimately a symbol of the gospel:

Ephesians 5:24–32: 

“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. . . . “Therefore [quoting Genesis 2:24] a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” 

The role of the man as husband is to sacrificially lead his wife by laying down his life for her needs, and the role of the wife is to intelligently and humbly submit to his leadership just as the church submits to Christ's loving leadership and follows him.

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