Examining the Influence of Religion on General Society

A frightened teenager approaches his parents. "Can we talk?" he asks tentatively, and sits down. He has both of his parent's attention, all eyes on him. "Mom, dad," he says fidgeting with his coat zipper, "I think I'm gay." His parents take a second to take this in. They've raised their boy to be Christian, so this is quite a step backwards in their book. Their response seems like it's taking forever. Finally, a response, "well that's fine, hunny, but I hope you know you're going to hell."

Religion can shape this world into a scary place. It has caused war, been used to motivate fear (Edwards, 1741), and, as pointed out in Leviticus 18:22, been used to denounce homosexuality both in society and under the law. So, while not completely over the hurdle just yet, it's exciting to announce that homosexuality has become more acceptable as an alternative lifestyle in the modernized eyes of America. In fact, seven out of the 50 states have legalized the act of same-sex marriage (States That Allow Gay Marriage).

So what's holding this country back? If church and state are truly separate, why is legalizing same-sex appearing so difficult? Maybe religion is playing a larger role in our country than we are willing to admit. Especially when it comes to a major issue like marriage between more than just a woman and a man, religion imposing upon the decisions of political proceedings should not be an issue, but it is.

Whenever it comes to meeting people who claim to be religious, I'm always sure to ask how they feel about the subject of homosexuality. It is always an interest of mine to see how their religion has affected their views. I am also happy to report I have yet to meet anyone who has been anything but supportive of the lifestyle. However, when it comes to same sex marriage, I cannot say the same thing.

When discussing the matter with my older sister, she presented her opinion."I think you want to be with who you want to be with, but marriage is between a man and a woman." and I can respect that, but I won't agree with it. If two people really love each other why not let them be legally bound? It shouldn't have anything to do with their gender. Besides, with the divorce rate at over 50%, who's really worried about gays ruining the sanctity of marriage? Aren't people like Kim Kardashian doing that already? Having made 18 million dollars off her wedding alone and only being married for 72 days before filing for divorce, more than tripling what she spent on the wedding itself (Flecknow, 2011). Why let Kardashian lessen the sacredness of marriage when there are homosexual couples that could make a longer commitment than what she had?

Now, don't get me wrong, there are other reasons besides that of religion that people are inclined to believe homosexuality is unacceptable. Just look at the human form for example. Not only do opposite sexes "fit" together sexually, but only a relationship between a man and a woman is designed to create life. In Darwin's theory of sexual selection, males compete to find a female mate simply for the purpose of reproduction (Huxley, 2010). So, it can be argued that homosexuality doesn't make sense for the very fact that it has no purpose. It cannot lead to the ultimate goal, reproduction, so why should it even exist? Obviously, if a child should be made by a man and a woman, then that is the most "normal" environment for said child, no? A gay couple would simple make an uneasy, messed up child, wouldn't it? That is at least a point that people hide behind when the very idea of same sex marriage is brought up.

The only true reason my sister believes this is because of her religious affiliation. Since birth, my sisters and I were raised as Methodist children. Taught to believe fully in the Bible, we attended Sunday school, church, and even were confirmed. As we aged, we were required less and less to attend weekly services. Although my sister held onto at least some of her religious views, it seems today, in America at least it's becoming more acceptable to have no religious affiliation. In fact, the number of those who view themselves as Christian has dropped by a staggering 11 percent (Grossman, Most Religious Groups in USA have Lost Ground, Survey Finds, 2009). Maybe this drop in religion is a reason for the more accepting nature of the country. Still, religion certainly plays a large role in the legalization of same sex marriage.

In the Bible, it blatantly states under Leviticus 18:22, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Also, it is made clear that marriage is only thought of as between a man and a woman in Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33 (The New American Bible, 1987). Although, nowhere in the bible does it clearly condemn same sex marriage as sinful, it's easy to see why religion, marriage, and homosexuality do not mix. However, what about politics and same sex marriage? Why are they so hard to mix and mingle? As mentioned before, church and state are meant to be separate. But then, this poses a pressing question. Should marriage be looked at a religious affair, or a civil right?

Marriage, of course, was viewed as a religious matter when God created Eve from Adam's rib. God didn't want Adam to be alone. After Eve's creation, it is then God's decision that she shall be Adam's "wife" (The New American Bible, 1987). It is looked upon, in the biblical sense, as a more than just a union of two people of the opposite sex, but more of a spiritual union between these two people and God. That is at least how a Christian marriage is viewed (Cunningham, 1999). In fact, marriage is referred to over 500 times in both the Old and New Testament. (Fairchild) In Malachi 2:14, marriage is referred to as "a holy covenant before God". The couple must obey the rules of God to have a Christian marriage. Also, as stated in Romans 13:1-2, the couple must also obey governmental authority in general. But then, when looking at our governing authorities, when couples only get married using solely legal process, it goes against the rules of a Christian marriage. Not that all couples only use legal process, but these days, it seems like that is certainly what more people are doing (Fairchild, What is the Biblical Definition of Marriage).

These days that spiritual union isn't exactly what the marriage ideals are based on anymore. When two people are wed, in the eyes of the law, it's all about assets. Bank accounts are joined, a marriage license in drawn up. Marriage is, disregarding feelings, a contract between two people and their government that binds them, in the eyes of the law. (Cott, 2002) That is it, in the eyes of the law, God has nothing to do with it. Hell, love doesn't even have anything to do with it. That is probably why the divorce rate is so high. People marrying for things like money and American citizenship. It's no wonder marriage isn't viewed as it used to be.

So, with marriage as it is in our modern society, being ruined and savaged, why would people even bother using the Bible to back up their prejudice? Marriage is slowly becoming less and less important. Some people, such as myself, don't even believe marriage is necessity. I personally would just like it open to whomever does believe in it. Sometimes, being more open to new things will get us through a lot more than being in denial that it's going to happen eventually. Which is why I'm excited to find that, although only at a slight margin, same sex marriage is finally in the majority, and let us all hope it remains that way (Newport, 2011)