Traditional Marriage
This week in my marriage class, I was able to read a 103 page article summarizing the opinion of the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges. This was the case that legalized same-sex marriage. There was so much information! It was interesting to see the stands that each judge made, and the reasoning behind their decisions.
Simplifying the reading, those that supported the decision to legalize gay marriage claimed that all of the states had been violating the Constitution for 135 years between the ratification of the 14th Amendment and when Massachusetts began permitting same-sex marriage in 2003.
Those against it talked of the definition of liberty. Justice Scalia said that by having the nine judges make this decision was “robbing the people of the most important liberty that was asserted in the Declaration of Independence, the freedom to govern themselves” (Supreme Court of the United States, 2015). The four of them said or alluded that the decision needed to be made by the people and the delegates that they elected, rather than nine lawyers, only one of which is from anywhere that’s not on a coast of the United States. I completely agree that it is our right, as constituents, to be able to have a say in all matters like this. That's what our country is based on!
Justice Thomas said this decision would increase the threats against religious freedom (Supreme Court of the United States, 2015). Last semester, I had a religious class where we were to pick one “hot topic” to focus our studies on for the entire semester. The topic I chose was religious intolerance and discrimination. There is a prevalent threat in the world today against religion. The thing is that if we just allowed everyone to believe the way they felt was right, without judgment, the world would be a much happier place.
Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “Wherever we go, you and I as disciples of the Lord bear a solemn responsibility to proclaim the will of God to all people. And one of the more demanding opportunities of our time is to stand up for the truth regarding the sacred nature of marriage” (Nelson, 2014). We have a responsibility to stand up for our beliefs. In sharing my beliefs, I expect to be shown the same respect I give to those that have different beliefs. Wouldn't the world be boring if we all believed the same exact things?!
Marriage is ordained of God, to be between man and woman. This is another hot topic in the world today and I know that so many families face this in their own families. “Man simply cannot make moral what God has declared to be immoral. … undergirded by incontrovertible truth, proclaim your love for God! Proclaim your love for all human beings ‘with malice toward none, with charity for all.’ They as children of God are our brothers and sisters. We value their rights and feelings. But we cannot condone efforts to change divine doctrine. It is not for man to change” (Nelson, 2014).
I sure love my people, and I love my Heavenly Father.
Works Cited
Nelson, R. M. (2014, August 14 ). Disciples of Jesus Christ- Defenders of Marriage. Retrieved from BYU Speeches: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson_disciples-jesus-christ-defenders-of-marriage/
Supreme Court of the United States. (2015, October). Obergefell et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al.
Simplifying the reading, those that supported the decision to legalize gay marriage claimed that all of the states had been violating the Constitution for 135 years between the ratification of the 14th Amendment and when Massachusetts began permitting same-sex marriage in 2003.
Those against it talked of the definition of liberty. Justice Scalia said that by having the nine judges make this decision was “robbing the people of the most important liberty that was asserted in the Declaration of Independence, the freedom to govern themselves” (Supreme Court of the United States, 2015). The four of them said or alluded that the decision needed to be made by the people and the delegates that they elected, rather than nine lawyers, only one of which is from anywhere that’s not on a coast of the United States. I completely agree that it is our right, as constituents, to be able to have a say in all matters like this. That's what our country is based on!
Justice Thomas said this decision would increase the threats against religious freedom (Supreme Court of the United States, 2015). Last semester, I had a religious class where we were to pick one “hot topic” to focus our studies on for the entire semester. The topic I chose was religious intolerance and discrimination. There is a prevalent threat in the world today against religion. The thing is that if we just allowed everyone to believe the way they felt was right, without judgment, the world would be a much happier place.
Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “Wherever we go, you and I as disciples of the Lord bear a solemn responsibility to proclaim the will of God to all people. And one of the more demanding opportunities of our time is to stand up for the truth regarding the sacred nature of marriage” (Nelson, 2014). We have a responsibility to stand up for our beliefs. In sharing my beliefs, I expect to be shown the same respect I give to those that have different beliefs. Wouldn't the world be boring if we all believed the same exact things?!
Marriage is ordained of God, to be between man and woman. This is another hot topic in the world today and I know that so many families face this in their own families. “Man simply cannot make moral what God has declared to be immoral. … undergirded by incontrovertible truth, proclaim your love for God! Proclaim your love for all human beings ‘with malice toward none, with charity for all.’ They as children of God are our brothers and sisters. We value their rights and feelings. But we cannot condone efforts to change divine doctrine. It is not for man to change” (Nelson, 2014).
I sure love my people, and I love my Heavenly Father.
Works Cited
Nelson, R. M. (2014, August 14 ). Disciples of Jesus Christ- Defenders of Marriage. Retrieved from BYU Speeches: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson_disciples-jesus-christ-defenders-of-marriage/
Supreme Court of the United States. (2015, October). Obergefell et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al.
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