Same Sex Marriage Is Destructive To Society

Same-sex marriage (hereinafter "SSM") is destructive to society. Throughout this debate I will be referring to opposite-sex marriage as "natural marriage" or "NM." First, this debate is NOT about: equality or equal rights, denying homosexuals the ability to commit to one another, privacy, intolerance, bigotry or homophobia, being born a certain way, civil rights, interracial marriage, or separation of Church and State. In fact, even for most homosexuals, the debate is not about marriage. As data from countries with SSM show, approximately 96% of homosexuals don't get married when given the opportunity. In the Netherlands, which has had SSM since 2001, only between 2 and 6 percent of homosexuals have married. Such low numbers are consistent in other areas as well (See Gallagher, Maggie and Baker, Joshua "Demand for Same-Sex Marriage: Evidence from the United States, Canada, and Europe," Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, 4/26/06.) What IS the debate about, you ask? Simply, it's about government endorsing the proposition that homosexual behavior is no different from heterosexual behavior, so the gender of married partners is inconsequential. This proposition is destructive to society for four (4) reasons, and I will NOT be arguing from a religious standpoint. 1. NM is the foundation of a civilized society. NM is by nature procreative. That's why the government gives special prerogatives to married couples; it naturally produces offspring in the best possible setting. While it's true that some NM couples cannot have children, this is the exception to the rule. All books are designed for reading, even if some are never read. The NM is ideal because it gives children a male and female role model that bring something unique to the family. SSM always denies a child a mother or father. Yes, there are loving single parent homes, but studies have shown advantages for children raised by loving NM. (See, e.g. Dobson, James "Marriage Under Fire", Sisters, Oregon, Multnomah, 2004, pg 54) Homosexual activists, and other supporters of SSM, would like you to believe that the roles of men and women are interchangeable--that two men or two women can do just as good a job in parenting as a man and a woman because men and women offer nothing unique to children. If true, can't you just marry someone of the opposite sex? When it comes to sexual desires, the roles are important to them, but not for raising a child. Ask yourself, is sexuality the only difference between genders? Doesn't even pop culture recognize "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus?" 2. Homosexual behavior is inherently destructive. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), homosexual practice results in numerous health problems, including increases in AIDS, other STDs, colon/rectal cancer, and hepatitis. More than 82% of all sexually transmitted AIDS cases in 2006 were the result of male to male sexual contact. Gay and bisexual men account for more than 60 % of all syphilis cases. (See "Cases of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2006 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report", Volume 17, April 2008). Homosexual activity shortens the life expectancy of homosexuals approximately 8 to 20 years. (See John R. Diggs, M.D., "The Health Risks of Gay Sex," Corporate Research Council, 2002). Moreover, homosexuality can lead to innocent people, like Ryan White, contracting the ill effects of such behaviors through blood transfusions. Allowing SSM would give government sanction to the inherently destructive, disease-prone homosexual practice. 3. The law is a great teacher to encourage or discourage behavior. The government has a duty to discourage SSM. Many people believe that which is legal is moral, and that which is illegal is immoral. Homosexual author Andrew Sullivan writes, " If nothing else were done at all, and gay marriage was legalized, 90% of the political work necessary to achieve gay and lesbian equality will have been achieved. It's ultimately the only reform that matters." (See Andrew Sullivan, "Virtually Normal," USA, Vintage Books, 1996, pg. 185). The goal isn't civil rights, it's civil acceptance for what I've already argued is a destructive behavior. The law can change minds. Two examples: slavery and abortion. In the 1850s many people didn't think slavery was wrong. In 2014, nearly everyone denounces it as evil. What changed? It wasn't more people going to Church, it was the 13th and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution. By making slavery illegal, the law "taught" people it was wrong. Similarly, in the 1960s, nearly all 50 states banned abortion completely (or in most cases). 41 years after Roe v. Wade, most Americans favor letting a woman choose to have an abortion, at least up to a certain gestation point. SSM will teach that the destructive behavior of homosexuality is acceptable and equal to heterosexuality. 4. SSM will hurt each and every American. Here are the ways SSM will negatively impact YOU: (a) Increases in taxes for the benefits bestowed on SSM, which are not naturally procreative and are detrimental to the raising of children. (b) Social Security taxes will need to be increased (or benefits decreased) for survivor benefits given to SSM widows and widowers. (c) Medical premiums could see an increase due to the health risks inherent in homosexual behavior and if health insurance companies are forced to provide fertility treatments to lesbian couples (I'm sure there's a judge just waiting to order that!) (d) Children will be indoctrinated against the moral and/or religious objection of parents that SSM and it's inherent homosexual behaviors are the equivalent of NM. Books such as "Heather Has Two Mommies" and "Daddy's Roommate"have been introduced into classrooms across the US. In California, a transgender kid can use the bathroom in school with which he/she feels more comfortable! This means a biological male can use the girl's bathroom with your daughter, and a biological female can use the boy's bathroom with your son. (e) You will be indoctrinated in your workplace to accept SSM, and disagreement could result in "sensitivity training." After that, you could wind up losing your job, if you express disagreement. (f) Freedom of Speech and the Free Exercise of Religion will be curtailed. In Canada and Sweden, speaking against homosexuality is considered "hate speech." With SSM, the government may try to enforce acceptance through hate speech legislation. The Supreme Court may uphold such legislation, and people who disagree on moral or religious grounds must keep silent or face fines and/or imprisonment. Clergy will not be permitted to preach against homosexual acts and religious institutions with adoption charities may be forced to allow SSM couples to adopt or be shut down. For all the foregoing reasons, SSM is destructive to society. Therefore, the government has a duty to ban it