What is marriage? Why is banning gay marriage wrong?

            In order to post more on this blog, I think a clearer description of marriage needs to be established.  Marriage, according to Merriam-Webster, is a state of legal unification between two individuals in a consensual or contractual relationship.  This arrangement is usually formed around love and can be either religious or secular, depending on the preferences of the couple. 

            Now that we have the definition of marriage better mapped out, the question can be posed: why is banning gay marriage wrong?  In most states across the nation, same-sex marriage is banned and not recognized as a legal union.  Some states provide a process similar to marriage called a civil union, but it lacks many benefits that a marriage provides (civil unions will be discussed in greater detail later).  The reason that homosexual marriages are banned in many states is due to public opinion.  Though gays have gained a greater tolerance in the last decade, there is still much animosity and false-imagery directed at the community—seeing the backlash of New Hampshire’s recent decision to pass a law lifting their ban of gay marriage is a prime example of this (see Norma Love’s essay for Boston.com).  Political figures that oppose same-sex marriage usually tote the five topics touched on by Joe Messerli’s overview of this issue in his page on gay marriage, to reaffirm their stance (see his essay for a more elaborated understanding). The main argument bounced around the political battlefield is that same-sex marriage is a sin in the Christian faith and allowing it to exist would loosen the foundations of society.  Though in this particular post I will not dive into the complexities of interpreting the Bible, contemplate the “foundations of society,” or discuss secularization in government, which better addresses this point made by those against gay marriage; I will simply note this: marriages can be religious, but not all marriages are.  I can understand discontent among a church if two same-sex members wish to have a religious ceremony, but if a same-sex couple wishes to have a secular ceremony preformed, then it doesn’t affect the members of the church—their community remains unchanged.  So why should those who oppose gay marriages due to religious philosophies care if gays marry?  Also, do same-sex marriages really affect those individuals or groups that oppose them outside of the ideological realm?

These questions, along with any other questions posed in this entry, will be expanded by discussion in coming posts, so please stay tuned in.