Carolyn Moynihan
12 March 2013
Reproduced with Permission
Conjugality
A new report out today by
Ryan T. Anderson
for the Heritage Foundation rounds up the arguments against gay marriage in some detail but very systematically and clearly. There are footnotes giving references that are useful for writing letters, making submissions and for informal discussions. The US Supreme Court is currently preparing to hear arguments on two same-sex marriage cases, and in other countries national and local legislatures are considering bills.
Here are the key points covered in Ryan Anderson's report:
Key Points
-
Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces.
-
Marriage is based on the truth that men and women are complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the reality that children need both a mother and a father.
-
Marriage is society's least restrictive means of ensuring the well-being of children. Marital breakdown weakens civil society and limited government.
-
Government recognizes marriage because it benefits society in a way that no other relationship does.
-
Government can treat people equally and respect their liberty without redefining marriage.
-
Redefining marriage would further distance marriage from the needs of children and deny the importance of mothers and fathers; weaken monogamy, exclusivity, and permanency, the norms through which marriage benefits society; and threaten religious liberty.
The full report (12 pages in pdf format) can be read or printed off
here.
Top