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Argument: Marriage is defined as between a man and woman

Issue Report: Gay marriage

Extended argument

Marriage has always been viewed by society as the religious and/or civil union between a man and a woman, and has always been regarded primarily as a heterosexual institution. This has involved thousands of years of tradition. The length of this tradition has made it unnecessary to produce a clear definition defining it. But, now that this lengthy tradition of marriage is under threat, its full historical force should be leveled in now defining it as between a man and a woman. If homosexual couples want equal protection under the law, that is one thing, but to call it “marriage” is to violate the rooted tradition and meaning of marriage.

Support

Defense of Marriage Act 1996: “Definition of ‘marriage’ and ‘spouse’: In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.”[1]

Vatican – Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. June 3rd, 2003: “No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman.”

Sen. Obama has said on multiple occassions during his political career, including the 2008 presidential election campaign: “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.”[2]

Pat Boone. “Marriage: One man, one woman.” Knight Ridder. May 14, 2004: “Since the dawn of mankind, the sacred bond of marriage has been correctly defined as a union between one woman and one man.

Let’s get real: None of us would be here if we didn’t have a mother and father. Rosie O’Donnell can call her same-sex relationship anything she wants, but such a partnership is not “marriage” and doesn’t deserve to be called or accorded the privileges of marriage.”