MIDNIGHT!/ Sunday, September 16, 2007
Is same-sex marriage a practical consideration in this age of globalisation?
Recently, there has been much controversy over the issue on homosexuality especially in societies such as Singapore where the older generation still tend to take a very firm stand against it. However, as we move on with times, we as humans need to place more emphasis on human rights and freedom and learn to accept that homosexuals are humans as well and should be treated no differently from others.
In some european countries such as France, although same-sex marriages are legalised, the parties involved in this form of marriages are not allowed to make medical decisions for their other half in the case of an emergency. The hospitals are more often than not forced to go to their families for medical decision. This is made worst when family members shun them because of their homosexuality and refuse to acknowledge their ties. Which is why it is important for us to alter such laws which discriminate against them and that same-sex marriage is a practical consideration in this modern age.
One main reason why same-sex marriages are viewed with such disgust to many is because of religious belief that god made both Adam and Eve for a reason and not simply two Adams or two Eves. Religious people view such marriages as severe violations to their god and cannot simply accept it, such views are passed down from generation to generation through the family or through the church. However there has been cases where even the most pious of people such as a pastor can be gay and such cases has sparked off much criticism and talk. But we need to be able to follow the golden rule in the bible of "do unto others as you would them do unto you" in other words, we should not discriminate them simply because of their homosexuality. It is high time we stop using religion as an excuse to discriminate and allow same-sex marriages.
Many people tend to argue that marriage is to raise children and that parents of the same gender are not equiped adequately to handle this and their children grow up losing out to other children from a "normal" family. This is a very unjustified claim as it does not matter what gender the parents are as long as they can provide the care, love and protection for their children. Is it fair to say that a kid from a family with parents of the same gender will turn out worst than another from a family with parents of opposite genders when ultimately, the parents of opposite genders divorce and are leave their child hurt and scarred for life?
However many state that same-sex marriage does not promote reproduction and the continuation of our species as we were made by nature to do. It is largely true that if same-sex marriage is legalised, there would be an increase in homosexual couples getting married and there would be a decrease in birth rates as they are unable to reproduce with the same sex and this could have detrimental effects on the world such as an aging population. This leads us to ponder if same-sex marriages should really be allowed.
As "marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully an equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage." Taking all the factors into careful consideration, I believe that we should not discriminate against the homosexuals and that if we are to accept same-sex marriages, more must be done to educate the public first and steps must be taken in stages to implement it.
Damnit, it ain't meant to be.
7:56 AM <3