Resolved: Gay Marriage Should Be Legalized

I will first address my opponent's statements, and then move on to my own case. "I believe Gay Marriage should be legalized because the right to marry whom you choose is a human right, and gays are not any less human than heterosexual Americans." I have never heard of "the right to marry whom you choose" being a human right. Jefferson did not write about life, liberty, and the right to marry whom you choose. Nor did John Locke write about life, liberty, health, and the right to marry whom you choose. Opponent, please give me an example of where this this "right" is ever deemed a human right. Secondly, I do not see America mentioned anywhere in the resolution. However, I am on your court, so I can play by your rules. The resolution has been effectively changed to "Gay marriage should be legalized in America." "Also, unless someone can prove there is a political reason for not wanting Gays to get married, i will continue believing that the only reason this right is in question is because of religious reasons, and there is supposed to be a seperation of church and state in this country." Actually, religious folk are not the only ones opposed to gay marriage. While I am a Christian, I am not against gay marriage for strictly religious purposes. (As you will see in my case) Who ever said there is supposed to be separation of church and state in the Unites States? If you are thinking of the first amendment, you will realize that that amendment only says that the state will not interfere with religious matters. (Unless of course others' rights are being infringed upon) If you are thinking of a few letters exchanged between Jefferson and Madison, you will also realize that a letter does not define what the US will adhere too. "Also, banning gay marriage is just as bad as a jim crow law." That is quite a rash claim. Unless you give a warrant for it, it ought not be considered in the debate. ========================================================================== Contention 1- The Federal Government of the United States of America does not have the authority to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states. ========================================================================== My opponent asserts that same-sex marriage should be legalized in the all American states. The only entity that would have power to create such a massive legalization would be the federal government. However, even it does not hold this power as per the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." Therefore, there is no authority that could effectively legalize same-sex marriage throughout the country, because that right is reserved for the states, or the people. ======================================================= Contention 2- Same-sex marriage does not exist, and can therefore not be legalized. ======================================================= Marriage –noun 1.the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. In every dictionary that I have cared to look in thus far, the first entry ALWAYS states that marriage occurs between a man and a women. Same-sex marriage therefore is an oxymoron. Perhaps legal unions could be legalized. Perhaps a legal relationship could be established. (Assuming the government had the power to do so, which it doesn't) However, something that does not exist cannot be legalized. As of now, the resolution has been effectively negated. http://www.usconstitution.net... http://dictionary.reference.com...