Same Sex Marriage Debate Same sex marriage is a very controversial subject when it comes to the foundation of marriage. Politics, government, constitutional liberty and equality have played a role in the debate on same sex marriage. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (ushistory.org). On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court rule in a 5-4 vote that same-sex couples are now allowed to marry in all 50 states. This ruling has change the course of history and how marriage is defined. While some feel that it is a big step in the march toward …show more content…
The courts have gone back and forth on the issue of same sex marriage. In one instance they were in agreement of the individuals rights to marry but others times they were emphasized that the rights were a partial right to privacy along with a number constitutional provisions. In the article “Against Homosexual Marriage” by James Wilson (1996), it discusses three arguments concerning homosexual marriage, two against and one for that labels them “prohibitionist, conservative and liberal” and a fourth one which advocates abolishing all distinctions between heterosexual and homosexual. “The first argument speaks to the fact that heterosexual love in many cultures in ancient times has long existed and that the family between a man and a woman was the fundamental premise by which we judge sexual relations. The second argument against homosexual marriage argues that “if a person is permitted to serve in the military or enter an unproductive marriage, why not homosexuals? The final argument over homosexual marriage is a liberal one, based on civil rights (pg.34-37). Liberals believe in government actions to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all and the need for government to solve problems, however it doesn’t always work that way, freedom of religion or politics and more importantly sexual orientation is subject to local regulations, such regulations are rarely …show more content…
It really is a conundrum because I certainly feel that people should have the right to live their lives in the manner that best suits them as long as they are not causing bodily harm, however I do not feel that they have the right to impose their own beliefs on others that do not believe or support such beliefs. For example, I do not feel a minister/clergy should be forced to marry same-sex couples if it goes against their religious belief. The couple I feel should simply go somewhere else and allow someone else to marry them that supports it. However, but to say that because it is a law that protects their civil right is a contradiction and in essence violates my civil liberty to not be forced to do something that goes against my