Gay marriage should remain illegal everywhere

I recognise my lack of “evidence” in support of my arguments thus far has impeded upon my arguments. I assure my opponent that I have now thoroughly researched the topic and will be referencing all claims; therefore, ensuring the discussion of said claims will be continued. “My opponent gave no evidence to support the claim that a man, or two men, cannot adequately provide (in an emotional sense) support for the teenage girl.” While I did give evidence to support my claims (through the use of reasoning, not references to research, but let’s not get into semantics on this one), I understand that my point, although while expressed, was not supported with research. “There is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is related to parental sexual orientation”, is vague if analysed; “parenting effectiveness” could mean various things. Since the values between families and societies standards can often be large (e.g. An Islamic family living in a Christian community), “parenting effectiveness”, I conclude, is not an effective measurement due to its subjective nature. Therefore, because of its vagueness, what may be “parenting effectiveness” for the APA may be awfully ineffective for a community or family. I searched APA’s site, yet I could not find a definition. While this claim does not undermine the value of studies the APA has collected, a definition would bring much clarity and resolve the vagueness issue. I would like to question the legitimacy of the APA as some other “studies” appear to have questionable results. “For example, some observers have expressed concern that children living with lesbian mothers or gay fathers will be stigmatized, teased, or otherwise victimized by peers… Results of social science research have failed to confirm any of these concerns [1]” Children not bullying another child for have parents who are different (gay)? For children, a common insult is “gay” [2]. Therefore, this could extend into children being bullied for having gay parents (AND HAS HAPPENED [3]). While this does not prove that the studies of the Homosexual parents raising children were inaccurate, it does the APA’s credibility no favour when I (and hopefully you) see this horribly flawed verdict. “Even a gay woman would be inferior to a straight woman in this sense:” I must note that just because a gay woman may not be able to relate in a sexual oriented way to the child, this does not necessarily mean that the woman cannot relate to the child, even in an emotional sense. Your argument reads as if sexual orientation is the only difference between a homosexual woman and a straight woman. “Research [by scientists at the Karolinska Institute] shows that gay men's brains resemble those of straight women” [4]. This demonstrates that homosexuality does have an affect on not just sexual preference, but also thoughts, and consequently, actions. Furthermore, it is not a case of if “the woman [who is gay] can relate to the child [who is a straight girl]”, it is a case of a straight woman being better to raise a straight girl (a gay woman raising a straight girl is of detriment to the girl). Because homosexuality causes differences in the brain, gay woman will be less able to relate to a straight girl in terms of thought (if we make all things except their sexuality equal and constant). Therefore, a straight woman, *on average, will raise a straight girl better than a gay woman (* obviously, positive and negative influences that the care-giver offers, outside of sexuality, will affect the upbringing). In response: In Response to the Rebuttal of “Denied Health Benefits of Same-Sex Couples” I wish to retract my rebuttal to your original claim as my understanding of self-actualization has now been rectified. I concede all points in your response to my rebuttal. Legalizing Gay Marriage Would NOT Harm Traditional Family Values or Heterosexual Marriages Firstly, by definition, traditional marriage is “between a man and a woman”. The traditional marriage, is of Christian origin, hence why tradtionally performed in a church. Marriage, on the other hand, is an evolving concept and is the reason we are having this debate. Legalizing gay marriage would be an act against the Bible, and would there harm the traditional family value of a traditional marriage. “My opponent has given no evidence that new laws which make gay marriage legal would negatively affect the traditional view of marriage.” The traditional marriage would still be legal, yes, but a non-traditional marriage would also be legal; the latter is what will impact the view of marriage. Marriage, in a traditional sense, is a sacred pact between a man and a woman under the eyes of God. This WILL change if gay marriage is allowed because the Bible does not condone homosexuality [5]. A 2004 study [6] of divorce rates for same-sex registered partnerships in Sweden from 1995 to 2002 indicates that, compared to opposite-sex married couples, male homosexual couples were 1.5 times more likely to divorce and female homosexual couples 3 times more likely. As time passes and it becomes possible to inquire about same-sex registered partnerships of more than one-to-seven-years’ duration, we should see even larger differences between heterosexual and homosexual unions. So, not only will the “traditional view” be affected, but the current circumstance (in regards to marriage) has been shown to be affected too by the integration of homosexual marriage into a marriage constitution. While, as you have said, “legalization of gay marriage does not necessarily add to the increasingly bad divorce rate”, there are a large number of instances which have resulted in divorce rates increasing when homosexual marriage was legalized. Not compelling evidence, only worrying and certainly do not help the case for gay marriage. “It is not “basically saying that the old concept of marriage was wrong.”” – No, that’s why they’re implementing a new law allowing for gay marriage. If the old concept of marriage was right then they would not be implementing the new legislation, therefore, it is flawed and they need to amend it. Response to: In Relation to the “Weakening of Traditional Family Values” “I must remind my opponent that we currently reside in the 21st century where views of this system are not exactly intact anymore.” – This does not undermine “the views of this system”. “Obvious trends show that people are already turning away from the traditional system of “Woman stays home to clean, man goes out to work.”” Again, this does not undermine “the views of this system”; just because people do not like something does not mean that it is objectively bad. “Furthermore, current movements toward gay marriage are merely contributing the new way we even think about marriage. Keep in mind though, gay marriage is not the only contributor to “changing ways:” Take interracial marriage as one example.” Interracial marriages do not affect the traditional family values, at least not in the Bible’s terms (which is the source for the traditional family values). The Bible does not condone racism. [1] Paige, R. U. (2005). Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the legislative year 2004. Minutes of the meeting of the Council of Representatives July 28 & 30, 2004, Honolulu, HI. Retrieved November 18, 2004, from the World Wide Web http://www.apa.org.... (To be published in Volume 60, Issue Number 5 of the American Psychologist.) [2] http://www.empoweringparents.com...# [3] http://www.experienceproject.com... [4] http://www.time.com... [5] Leviticus 20:13, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." [6] http://www.marriagedebate.com...