The idea of two people who belong to the same gender entering into a marriage union has caused many ripples not only in society but also amongst religious groups the world over. There have been mixed reactions over the same as emotions run high in cases where staunch religious believers think this is an act of going against the grain while other stakeholders and groups also think that people should be allowed to do what they think is right (Dupuis 83). Either of these groups many a time holds very strong conviction as to why they think their stand is right while poking fingers at the opposing group. Religious groups have come up, some to oppose and others to propagate this move for various reasons. Yes the redefinition of marriage in the current times is inevitable and is bound to happen but religion, does not seem to oppose this but instead, has either remained mute on the same of behaves as if it is restless.
Religion advocates for morality because morality is the driver of a sane society. Unfortunately whatever that is considered morally right by some religious groups is not to other groups. This in regard to same sex marriages has seen some religious groups openly support same sex marriage while others strongly abhor the act. Those few religious groups who are for it in the recent past, prior to the last general election of the United States of America supported California’s Proposition 8, an idea of supporting same sex marriage. The case in point was the move by the Church Of Christ of Latter day Saints commonly referred to as Mormons. This is a clear indication that through their action to support this move, they gave a lee way for same sex marriages to thrive and look as if it a normal thing to do regardless of a section of society being against it.
Some religious groups especially a group of Christian churches have gone on further to ordain and join in holy matrimony, two people of the same gender as husband and wife. This is done in the full glare of the church members who have embraced this custom as well as society even in the middle of the heated debate on whether this is right or wrong. It is in record that mainstream churches which are considered traditional and conservative such as Catholicism are strongly against these acts but churches such as the Episcopal Church have in the recent past openly ordained and blessed same sex marriages. Buddhists also do not condemn same sex marriages openly because according to the interpretations of Buddha, sexual misconduct only refers to adultery in as far as marriage is concerned and does not therefore talk about any other sin in marriage which is interpreted as not condemning same sex marriage. This therefore means that in as much some religions and churches do not agree to this trending phenomenon, there are those that promote it (Pinello 119).
Some time back not so long ago; marriage was considered a holy institution that was wrapped up in religion. It took a man and a woman for any kind of marriage to be accepted in society. Liberalism especially from religious groups has seen this change drastically. Back then, nothing like same sex marriage could be heard let alone be thought of. As time went by and religion started opening up and started accommodating some secular practices such as same sex marriage until it was thought to be very normal just like any other religious activity. This has led to what is seen today, people not minding at all what others do in the name of religion as long as their actions do not infringe on their rights. Whatever happened to being a brother’s keeper in Christianity or minding what others will think of your actions in other spheres of religion is just a question that seemingly lost meaning. This has seen the incorporation of such practices into religious practices without necessarily looking at their negative impact or influence on people.
Owing to the fact that religion has not come out clearly and strongly to oppose same sex marriage, many people ignore the fact that this could be regarded as morally wrong and even illegal. Religious preferences normally play a key role in even determining laws that govern a country. If religion permits or even remains silent on a certain issue that affects humanity, then the legality of that thing can sail through and even be passed as law. It is from this point of view that one may be forced to assume that the lackluster of religion on in its part in regard to this issue is the main reason as to why many of these actions by people are no longer seen as unacceptable. Same sex for example is one such act that has found itself in mainstream society which has not really been given the attention that it deserves. This has led to it being seen as a normal act and therefore being practiced without people caring to know whether it is acceptable or not.
On the other hand, religious groups argue against same sex marriages on grounds of scripture which they believe is a directive from God. Their main interpretation of these scriptures is that the directive therefore comes from God that same sex marriage or homosexuality is wrong and should not be practiced. But just as it has been since time immemorial is the fact that many religious believers are considered hypocrites. They preach water while it is believed that they drink wine. This means that they openly rebuke same sex marriages but when it comes to individually or away from people, some of them have engaged in this vice. It does not mean that those who practice homosexuality have not read scriptures or even heard of the existence of these said scriptures. They have but choose to ignore. When they have ignored then society ignores them and distances themselves from them. This move by society more so religious groups then create a smooth way for homosexuality or lesbianism to thrive. This way same sex marriage continues to take place because religion and society have chosen to close their eyes to them.
The separation of church from state on matters such as this has also seen the church play a major role in the thriving of same sex marriages (Hull 17). It is unconstitutional for the church to get involved and prohibit matters that the state permits. Ideals that are acceptable in society are normally seen to be morally right more especially when the law permits them. The church therefore is left with no obligation whatsoever to stand in the way and condemn what the law permits. This therefore means that religious groups can sit and watch a clear violation of scripture without them doing much. But it is the same people drawn from all manner of groups that formulate such laws and enact them. A huge populace in the world is Christian in as much as there are many other religious faiths in the world that, all together do not support same sex marriage. If only they could stand up to the occasion and very strongly call for the amendment of such laws then maybe something could happen, but not the opposite is a reality because they have all sat back and watched and even taken part in promoting same sex marriage and other activities that go against religious beliefs.
Renowned leaders of religious groups have over time remained mum on this issue. Such leaders with a huge following and who have the respect of the people have chosen to ignore the whole hullabaloo and instead concentrated on other issues affecting their followers. Such leaders include people like Joel Osteen, Rick Warren and Tim Keller. This can be seen through the way in which evangelical groups and movements have resolutely remained muted and take calculated moves when the issue of same sex marriage comes up. This therefore sends the wrong signals to non believers. If these leaders and their congregants have not shown any concern for the whole issue, and operate as if nothing is wrong with it, then why don’t people just go ahead and marry from within the same gender. This sends the wrong signals as many will assume that this does not matter to them and therefore one can go on and do as they damn please. In as much as this may not be true, at least these are the signals that they are sending across the borders (Cahil 60).
In as much as same sex marriage and religion are incompatible in all manner of ways; religion seems to have contributed greatly to the advancement of this practice. It does not necessarily mean that when it strongly admonishes it then that is just enough for all to see that religion is against it. Some of the acts that have been put forth by religious groups either consciously or unconsciously have positively portrayed same sex marriage to such an extent that it has endeared it to the people (Babst, Emily & Jason 42). In an effort not to make young people and sinners run away from the churches and ministries, religious leaders and churches too have bent some strong pillars upon which religion is founded, to accommodate them together with their acts which from the evangelical point of view are sinful. Liberalism is the root cause of all these and this is the direction that the world is headed. In an effort to please a few people, a lot that even God will look at and turn his face away has been accommodated in the name of remaining relevant and appealing to the masses. Same sex marriage has therefore been propagated not only by the secular world but also by the defenders of religious practices. If same sex marriage is not going to get a very strong opposition from religion, then the fight is meant to collapse and it will be considered very normal and okay.
Works Cited
Babst, Gordon A., Emily R. Gill, and Jason Pierceson, eds. Moral Argument, Religion, and Same-Sex Marriage: Advancing the Public Good. Lanham:Lexington Books.2009
Cahill, Sean. Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: A Focus on the Facts. Lanham: Lexington Books. 2004
Dupuis, Martin. Same-Sex Marriage: Legal Mobilization, and the Politics of Law. New York: Peter Lang. 2002
Hull, Kathleen E. Same-Sex Marriage: The Cultural Politics of Love and Law. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2006
Pinello, Daniel R. America's Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2006
