Advocate of Traditional Marriage

This week my head was flooded with many different thoughts and I could go in many different directions but I wanted to keep my blog post short and sweet on why I believe in traditional marriage (between a man and a woman) and my thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling about same sex marriage.    

It has been said that “perhaps no subject in our society is more controversial than homosexuality” Indeed, “it is difficult to talk about homosexuality objectively because it is so personal, involving as it does individuals, relationships, and families and extending to issues of marriage…” (Byrd, D.A 2010). 

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry in all 50 US states. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in the majority opinion: "The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States." (http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?
resourceID=004857)  

Anthony Kennedy, one of the Justices in favor of legalizing same sex marriage; said that “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions.  They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right." (Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015)  

I agree with Justice Kennedy that married is very profound and it carries with it love, fidelity, devotion, etc, but for me the concept of traditional marriage-marriage between a man and a woman just makes sense. We have the scriptures for a spiritual witness; in Genesis 1:27-28 it talks about how “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” “And God blessed them, and . . . said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” I believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He created man and woman and told them to have children. But more than the spiritual witness, it makes sense to me that it takes a man a woman to procreate. I believe that although the worlds definition of marriage and family has changed, the idea of family as God has outlined has not changed.  

Russel M Nelson has said that “It was He who ordained marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Marriage was not created by human judges or legislators. It was not created by think tanks or by popular vote or by oft-quoted bloggers or by pundits. It was not created by lobbyists. Marriage was created by God!” (Nelson, R. M, 2014) 

I have never been attracted to a female, but I know other females who are. I do not understand what is going on inside their body; I just know what I believe. I know that the definition of marriage is in the process of being redefined. The long held definition of being a relationship between man and woman is no more. Even with the ever changing world, I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. It just makes sense to me; procreation can only be employed by a man and a woman; yes, homosexual couples can adopt or bring children up in this world but it’s not a natural process. I believe there are benefits of raising children in a home with a mother and a father. I will always stand up for traditional marriage.

References:
Byrd, Dean A. (2010) Homosexuality: innate and immutable. Liberty University Law Review: Vol 4. Iss 3, Article 4
http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857
Obergefell v. Hodges, majority decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, June 26, 2015
Nelson, R. M. Nelson, Russell M. (2014). Disciples of Jesus Christ-Defenders of Marriage. Brigham Young University Commencement