can I please share this with you?

[AmandaSparks730]

So in my English IV Honors class this year, we're studying human rights issues. Our homework over the weekend was to write a short essay on a human rights issue that means a lot to us, and that could potentially change the world if it was fixed.

I wrote about gay marriage. This was what I wrote (as you can tell, I got a bit fired-up writing it!) :

"One human rights issue that I feel very strongly about is gay marriage. If all nations could follow the example of Argentina, which was the most recent, and in fact the first Latin American nation, to legalize gay marriage, the world would be a much better place. These men and woman are no different than anyone else. They just have a different sexual preference. Who are we to tell them who they can and cannot love?

Homophobia is the fear of gay people. It’s one of the biggest forms of racism around today, right alongside Islamophobia (the fear of Muslims/Islam) and Cacomorphobia (the fear of fat or obese people). And for what reason? The main reason is first and foremost religion. The Bible states that homosexuality is a sin; that a man shall not lie with another man. Many conservative Christians that follow the Bible don’t take this lightly, and are the main protestors of gay marriage. They have arguments that range from “God hates gays” to “gay couples will produce gay children” to “it’s a bad influence on our children; they’ll perceive it to be normal, which it is not”. Not normal? Love between two people is not normal?

America claims to be a country of religious freedom. It also claims not to have any one religion as its official religion. It also makes the claim of having a separation of church and state. If you ask me, a separation of church and state means that the Catholic Church has absolutely no say in what goes on in affairs of state. So shouldn’t that mean that the church has no say in if gay marriage should be legal or not? America, a country that’s honored for its ideals and morals. Really? Then tell me why gay marriage is only honored in five of the fifty United States, whereas marriage between first cousins is honored in twenty five of the fifty states? TWENTY FIVE OUT OF FIFTY. That’s HALF of the states in the United States of America that allow FIRST COUSINS TO MARRY. Not surprisingly, some of these are in the notorious Bible Belt. Again, I say: why?

If gay marriage was legalized in America, imagine what it could do for the world. The world looks to America regarding many decisions and actions. If America legalized gay marriage, I can bet you that many other countries would follow America’s example. This might not end homophobia. It might make it better, or it might make it worse. There’s no way of telling until it happens. Love is love, right?"

I had a bit of trouble with the ending, but I just wanted to share with you my opinion on this issue.

*gets off teenage soapbox*

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us.

Thank YOU for reading it!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Nice job!

 

[DVCDan36]

Very interesting points of view.

Further research may lead you to talk about Utah's acceptance as a state was based on the Government demanding that Polygamy be outlawed in that state, which is historically a Mormonism state. (Truely not defending the religion, but it shows that the government that is tolerant of religion shuned mormons for their way of life.)

And your comment about homosexual parents are likely to raise gay children because we all know that straight parents haven't raised gay children.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Very interesting points of view.

Further research may lead you to talk about Utah's acceptance as a state was based on the Government demanding that Polygamy be outlawed in that state, which is historically a Mormonism state. (Truely not defending the religion, but it shows that the government that is tolerant of religion shuned mormons for their way of life.)

And your comment about homosexual parents are likely to raise gay children because we all know that straight parents haven't raised gay children.

LOL! I always chuckle at "gay parents will raise gay children". "But where did the gay parents come from, then?"

 

[cmpdw4me]

I think that is crazy too. If that were true, then of the 2 straight parents that raised a gay child, is one of the parents SECRETLY gay?? Crazy!!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I think that is crazy too. If that were true, then of the 2 straight parents that raised a gay child, is one of the parents SECRETLY gay?? Crazy!!

I know! People were creeped out when I told them that you can marry your first cousin in half the states.

It's pretty sad. But my UK pal and I were talking about this, and we found a loophole in the law here in RI. You can marry your first cousin. And you can't marry a woman (civil unions only). But can you marry your female first cousin? Or your male first cousin?

 

[poohbearluver]

Well said, Meg.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Well said, Meg.

Thanks, Grace!

 

[hematite153]

Thanks for sharing.