Need help with an article against gay marriage

[LotusCarsLtd]

I had an enlightening moment yesterday as I was praying the Rosary: the idea of gay “marriage” is a huge threat that must be stopped. And many in this country would heartedly agree and don’t want it to become a reality. The problem is that no one is speaking up, or at least not in the proper manner.

I decided that I could take action by writing an article in my school’s student newspaper. It would explain the harm of gay marriage by citing the importance of monogamy in a relationship and how studies show a high rate of promiscuity among the gay community. I would tie these things together with a strong statement against divorce and it’s harm on society, citing two studies that show that those who are promiscuous before marriage struggle to remain faithful to their spouses once married, and that those who do not remain faithful in marriage are much more likely to divorce. I would argue that the studies showing a high rate of promiscuity in the gay community suggests that monogamy would be difficult in marriage (also citing statements by certain gay marriage activists who state that monogamy wouldn’t necessarily be on the agenda for gay married couples) and thus undermine the unions from the get-go, making them far more likely to end in divorce. I would again cite stats showing the harm divorce does to spouses, children, and society.

Here are the problems inherent in this endeavor:

1. Are gay unions inherently unstable? I get the impression from reading around online that so far in countries with gay marriage that those unions are seemingly stable. This could put a hole in my argument.
2. How do I counter the ever-common and overused statement “Well, if they love each other why does it matter if they’re straight or gay? They should be allowed to marry!” I understand that marriage is about more than love, and that unconditional commitment and exclusivity is a must in any marriage, otherwise it fails. I would try to argue that the promiscuity displayed among the gay community shows, in combination with the studies showing that pre-marital promiscuous activity makes it harder for a spouse to practice fidelity, that exclusivity would be hard to come by. I would also show how comments by certain gay marriage advocates that monogamy wouldn’t be embraced by all would necessarily undermine marriage from the get-go and threaten the whole union. I also came across an article online from Gay.com where an author cites a statistic on long-term gay unions: 1/3 of gay couples are monogamous, while the other 2/3 are not.
3. I would also bring-up the issue of complementarity, but only emotional and psychological complementarity (I feel that sexual complementarity would be easily mocked and dismissed). I wanted to know of any studies or scientific data showing that men and women are different emotionally and psychologically, and that marriage helps “complete” the couple because their different but complementary strengths and weaknesses come together in marriage. I would state that men seek in women that they do not already possess (perhaps the ability to remain committed) and vice versa. I would argue that when two men or two women wed, they seek in each other that can only come from someone of the opposite sex. Thus gay unions simply cannot satisfy the deepest intimacy needs of a person; if gay unions could satisfy these needs, then why the high rate of promiscuity and the large number of gay men in relationships who don’t embrace monogamy?
4. I am also beginning to wonder if monogamy is even a good point to argue this from. I get the impression that perhaps it is not, since some pro-gay “marriage” groups cite examples of a high rate of fidelity in gay unions. Anyone have any idea on this one?

What do people think about this topic overall?

 

[AveSantaMaria]

I will help to the best of my ability!

In this thread, I did some research on gay marriage, and found several articles that convinced me that gay marriage is self-hate legalized:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=295860 The statistics researched in the pages that I cited confirm in my sometimes misguided opinion ALMOST ALL of your suspicions. I will try to visit these forums later tonight, so maybe we might be able to discuss the statistics/research linked to here or statistics/research that others post.

I am also interested in reading this book: Out from Under
secularheretic-st.blogspot.com/2009/01/out-from-under-impact-of-homosexual.html It’s written from the perspective of a child who grew up under gay marriage, and how she thinks the life is basically, what it sounds like to me - self-hate that is highly damaging to children as well (she doesn’t even want to have children herself because of what she endured) - , and how she can only has the freedom to tell her story now that her mother and father have died.

May Jesus and Mary bless you richly! Remember, God sees all the work done for his kingdom, and if he does not reward you here, he will reward you in heaven, paradise!! And also, as St. Therese of Liseux said, “It is more by by suffering and persecution that Christ than by eloquent discourse that Christ wishes to build his kingdom.”

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

 

[MARKOS08]

This article might help. Hope the link works.

groups.msn.com/NeocatechumenalWayUSA/newsforyou.msnw?action=get_message&mview=&ID_Message=1545

 

[buffalo]

Defeating gay arguments with simple logic

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

Defeating gay arguments with simple logic

This is actually a very nice article. I might just change my argument from one focusing on monogamy (which, in contrast to this, seems much weaker) to one focusing on the nature of homosexuality in and of itself.

 

[buffalo]

This is actually a very nice article. I might just change my argument from one focusing on monogamy (which, in contrast to this, seems much weaker) to one focusing on the nature of homosexuality in and of itself.

Yup! Take the feet right out from under them.:extrahappy:

 

[buffalo]

Is it a Catholic school?

 

[Kevin42]

1. I would also bring-up the issue of complementarity, but only emotional and psychological complementarity (I feel that sexual complementarity would be easily mocked and dismissed).

While your school may not consider it appropriate for you to do so, but I find the physical aspect of sexual complementarity to be one of the most persuasive and reasonable arguments. Especially when you put it in the context of what marriage actually is and the theology of the body.

Peace and good.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

Is it a Catholic school?

No, a private secular school. It does have a GLBT group on campus (which could play out badly for me) but I still feel that perhaps I should try publishing an article anyway to get these ideas out.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

Yup! Take the feet right out from under them.:extrahappy:

I will probably use this as a primary source of ideas and use it to formulate an article explaining my point. How should I cite the source, though?

 

[buffalo]

I will probably use this as a primary source of ideas and use it to formulate an article explaining my point. How should I cite the source, though?

I wouldn’t cite the source. Use some of the original sources and formulate your logical arguments and refer to them if needed.

You could actually write a series of articles taking the readers step by step. Perhaps then you could move toward the beauty of the Theology of the Body as kevin posted.

Take them on a journey of logic and beauty.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

I wouldn’t cite the source. Use some of the original sources and formulate your logical arguments and refer to them if needed.

You could actually write a series of articles taking the readers step by step. Perhaps then you could move toward the beauty of the Theology of the Body as kevin posted.

Take them on a journey of logic and beauty.

Given that I attend a secular school, I desire to keep the article completely secular. I know (based on previous discussions in the student paper invoking religion) that any mention of religion can hurt your argument, since it seems that there are many who are atheist or simply not religious at my school.

Hopefully this isn’t a compromise on my religious beliefs

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

Catholic blogger Mark Shea has written extensively about this matter. He recently compiled his various arguments into one atricle found here: insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5091&Itemid=121&ed=1

You might also scan his blog, which will contain his arguemtns in some more detail: markshea.blogspot.com/

But it might require some doing to discern secular arguments from his work.

I once attempted to write an article for my school paper much like what you intend, trying to argue from a procreative standpoint (ie, homosexual marriage cannot produce children the same way heterosexual marraige can, and the chief interest of the State in recognizing marriages is to encourage the “production” of good citizens. I would not necessarily recmomend using this argument, though.). Good luck with your article, then.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

I once attempted to write an article for my school paper much like what you intend, trying to argue from a procreative standpoint (ie, homosexual marriage cannot produce children the same way heterosexual marraige can, and the chief interest of the State in recognizing marriages is to encourage the “production” of good citizens. I would not necessarily recmomend using this argument, though.). Good luck with your article, then.

I understand. That is why I am aiming for a solely secular argument and why I might abandon the focus on monogamy and gay unions; instead I think I’ll attack the logical fallacies present in arguments for gay marriage.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

I understand. That is why I am aiming for a solely secular argument and why I might abandon the focus on monogamy and gay unions; instead I think I’ll attack the logical fallacies present in arguments for gay marriage.

I read an article recently about the introduction of no-fault divorce being a cause of the current controversy surrounding gay “marraige”. It was not too difficult to find the link, and the article may be easier to salvage arguments from:
insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5169&Itemid=48

 

[benedictgal]

Here is a doctrinal note that the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote when he was Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He is not giving his personal opinion; rather, he is writing on behalf of the Church. The document was promulgated by Pope John Paul II:

adoremus.org/Vatican-HomosexualUnions.html

The document says, in part, that:

1. There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family. Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law. Homosexual acts “close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved”. (4)

Sacred Scripture condemns homosexual acts “as a serious depravity… (cf. Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10). This judgment of Scripture does not of course permit us to conclude that all those who suffer from this anomaly are personally responsible for it, but it does attest to the fact that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered”. (5) This same moral judgment is found in many Christian writers of the first centuries (6) and is unanimously accepted by Catholic Tradition.

Nonetheless, according to the teaching of the Church, men and women with homosexual tendencies “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided”. (7) They are called, like other Christians, to live the virtue of chastity. (8) The homosexual inclination is however “objectively disordered” (9) and homosexual practices are “sins gravely contrary to chastity”. (10 )

I hope that this will help you. You can’t go wrong quoting the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, especially since the author is now the Holy Father.

 

[biandblessed]

Wow people are judgmental. I guess because I’m bisexual I that means I’m sleeping with everybody now doesn’t it? Anyway, personal issues aside a few students at my college tried to do this in support of prop 8 and such. They even had somewhat of a protest on campus condeming gay people and the need to ‘save’ society from them. I was in class at the time but I heard they were outnumbered and finially gave up. I do have a book though its called “Caught in the Crossfire: Debating Homosexuality for Christians” It is really interesting to hear all sides of the story. Anyway, good luck.

 

[AveSantaMaria]

Thanks biandblessed for recommending that book! I would love to hear how homosexuals and bisexuals think and feel about the arguments against gay marriage that Christians bring up. I am also interested in hopefully reading at the same time: Out from Under secularheretic-st.blogspot.com/2009/01/out-from-under-impact-of-homosexual.html

Here is an excerpt from the book.

My name is Dawn Stefanowicz, I grew up in a homosexual household during the 60s and 70s in Toronto, exposed to many different people in GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual) subcultures, and explicit sexual practices.

I have considered some of the potential physical and psychological health risks for children raised in this situation. I was at high risk of exposure to contagious STDs due to sexual molestation, my father’s high-risk sexual behaviors, and multiple partners. Even when my father was in what looked like monogamous relationships, he continued cruising for anonymous sex.

I came to deeply care for, love and compassionately understand my dad. He shared his life regrets with me. Unfortunately, my father, as a child, was sexually and physically abused by older males. Due to this, he lived with depression, control issues, anger outbursts, suicidal tendencies, and sexual compulsions. He tried to fulfill his legitimate needs for his father’s affirmation, affection and attention with transient and promiscuous relationships. He and his partners were exposed to various contagious STD’s as they traveled across North America. My father’s (ex)partners, whom I had deep caring feels for and associated with, had drastically shortened lives due to suicide, contracting HIV or AIDS. Sadly, my father died of AIDS in 1991.

According to a growing number of personal testimonies, experts, and organizations, there is mounting evidence of strong commanlities to my personal experience. Not only do children do best with both a mother and father in a lifelong marriage bond, children need responsible monogamous parents who have no extramarital sexual partners. Parental promiscuity, abuse and divorce are not good for children.

From a young age, I was exposed to explicit sexual speech, self-indulgent lifestyles, varied GLBT subcultures and gay vacation spots. Sex looked gratuitous to me as a child. I was exposed to all inclusive manifestations of sexuality including bathhouse sex, cross-dressing, sodomy, pornography, gay nudity, lesbianism, bisexuality, minor recuritment, voyeruism and exhibitionsim. Sado-masochism was alluded to and aspects demonstrated. Alcohol and drugs were often contributing factors to lower inhibitions in my father’s relationships.

My father prized unisex dressing, gender-neutral aspects and a famous cross-dressing icon when I was eight years old. I did not see the value of biological complementing differences of male and female or think about marriage. I made vows to never have children since I had not grown up in a safe, sacrificial, child-centered home environment. I can tell you that I suffered long term in this situation, and this has been professionally documented.

Over two decades of direct exposure to these stressful experiences caused me insecurity, depression, suicidal thoughts, dread, anxiousness, low self-esteem, sleeplessness and sexuality confusion. My conscience and innocence were seriously damaged. I witnessed that every other family member suffered severely as well.

Marriage needs to remain a societal foundation that constitutes, represents, and defends the inherently procreative relationship between the husband and the wife for the welfare of their biological children. Children need consistent appropriate boundaries and secure expressions of emotional intimacy that are not sexualized in the home and community.

Why is such a small, unrepresentative clique within the GLBT subculture wanting same-sex marriage? Mr. John McKellar, Executive Director of H.O.P.E. (Homosexuals Opposed to Pride Extremism) has stated, and I quote:

“It is selfish and rude for the gay community to push same-sex marriage legislation and redefine society’s traditions and conventions for our own self-indulgence… Federal and provincial laws are being changed and the traditional values are being compromised just to appease a tiny, self anointed clique.”

I also hope to read the scientific research book that the Catholic Church recently read to see what the science had to say! If I can find the name of that book, I will post it here.

P.S. to the original poster, here is an article that deals with issues of complementarity:
catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

 

[buffalo]

Wow people are judgmental. I guess because I’m bisexual I that means I’m sleeping with everybody now doesn’t it? Anyway, personal issues aside a few students at my college tried to do this in support of prop 8 and such. They even had somewhat of a protest on campus condeming gay people and the need to ‘save’ society from them. I was in class at the time but I heard they were outnumbered and finially gave up. I do have a book though its called “Caught in the Crossfire: Debating Homosexuality for Christians” It is really interesting to hear all sides of the story. Anyway, good luck.

We sure are! We judge actions where we see them. We judge evil where we see it.

When I see someone steal, I judge the act to be wrong.
When I see a murder, I judge the act to be wrong.
When I see an assault, I judge the action to be wrong.
When I see evil, I judge it as evil.

We do not judge your salvation.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

Thanks biandblessed for recommending that book! I would love to hear how homosexuals and bisexuals think and feel about the arguments against gay marriage that Christians bring up. I am also interested in hopefully reading at the same time: Out from Under secularheretic-st.blogspot.com/2009/01/out-from-under-impact-of-homosexual.html

Here is an excerpt from the book…

Here’s a problem I recently encountered when I was writing a rough draft for my article:

1. I am not sure if I should even continue with the article, since I am not sure if it’s the issue to focus on. I read an interesting piece online that stated that the effort to save marriage has largely failed; not because we won’t be able to stop gay marriage but because marriage has deteriorated in society to such a low point that gay marriage has now gained probability and societal approval. The article stated, quite correctly, that to stop such absurdities would require us to confront the issue of no-fault divorce laws, which have damaged marriage to the point where gay marriage becomes “probable”. So I am unsure what I should confront with this article: gay marriage or divorce? Both perhaps?
2. I came-up with the argument for why homosexuality and heterosexuality ARE NOT equal and stated that this notable point automatically makes any effort to legalize gay marriage on the grounds of “equality” wrong. But I need to form an argument as to why this should preclude gay marriages from coming to fruition. I will try to argue that efforts to implement no-fault divorce laws in the 1970’s—a social experiment with marriage that went terribly wrong—are similar to the current fight today over gay marriage; given the collossal failure of the divorce experiment and the damage it did to society, we must be extremely careful about allowing any change in the fundamental nature of marriage itself. Any attempt to legalize a new form of marriage should be subjected to intense scrutiny since it would alter the fundamental basis of marriage itself, which could have huge social costs. But I am then confronted with the common argument for gay marriage which states “if two people love each other they shouldn’t be stopped from marrying!” I cannot find a secular reason for rebutting this. Any ideas? I need something VERY convincing or else my argument falls flat on its face…