Same-sex marriage is a big issue today not only in the Philippines
but in the whole world as well. As of today, there are 10 countries
that allow same-sex marriages nationwide: Argentina, Belgium, Canada,
Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and
Sweden. Same-sex marriages are also performed and recognized in the
Brazilian state of Alagoas, Mexico City and parts of the United States.
The most recent news about the acceptance of gay marriage was in New
York which is just a proof that it really is true that the world is now
being more open on gender equality not only in men and women but also
in gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgenders and becoming less
prejudice and discriminative.
As in the case of the Philippines most of the populace look at the
issue as a “nonsense” for according to them, why would we waste our
time debating in a proposal that is obviously wrong; the Philippines is
a Christian Nation and Christianity condemns homosexuality, many even
say that homosexuals are already accepted in the society and this is a
very big privilege so they must no longer propose an act like this
cause this already is too much, marriage is also known as the holy
matrimony inline with the teachings of the Bible, this act is a big
disrespect to the Bible and Christianity for the Bible says that
homosexuality is a sin and why would homosexuals be angry with the
government if they can’t marry, in the first place, it’s their choice,
nobody forced them to be gay!
These people's arguments and reasonings are obviously weak and
wrong. First, I just would like to clarify that there is no verse in
the Bible that says, “homosexuality is a sin” and it had never been
mentioned in the Bible that God condemns homosexuals and that the
church and the followers of the church must condemn homosexuality.
Second, why would they reject same-sex marriage by the reason of
“The Philippines is a Christian Nation!”, it is clearly stated in
Article 2 Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution (1987) that “the
separation of church and state shall be inviolable”; thus tells us that
there is no state religion, that the Philippines is not a Christian
Nation and it must not base its laws with church principles.
Third, people say that marriage is inline with the Bible, therefore
the church have a say in anything that involves marriage, the Bible
stated rules about marriage and the state must follow these, gay
marriage is not inline with the teachings of the Bible therefore it
must not be allowed; “this is unfair!” if the state would reject
same-sex marriage just because of this reasoning then we all
have a very big problem, even the church don’t follow what the Bible
says and the state already have marriage laws that is not based in the
Bible; the Bible says that man is allowed to have one or more wives,
the church and state doesn’t follow this; the Bible says that if a
woman marries and is not a virgin, she must be stoned, this is not
followed; the Bible says that a rapist must marry his victim, we don’t
follow this, women even have the right to sue their rapists; the Bible
says that if a man dies childless, his brother must marry his widow, we
never followed this and the Bible says that divorce is forbidden,
though we don’t have divorce in the Philippines, we still have
anullment which is also like divorce that permits wed couples to
separate.
And lastly, the most nonsensed reasoning is that “i’ts their choice
to be gay, they must not blame the state if they can’t marry”, being
gay is not a choice,who would ever choose to be hated, humiliated,
threatened, rejected by family, friends and church, and in some cases
beaten, even to death? How absurd to suggest that it is a choice!
Homosexuals are only asking to have their love be recognized with the same benefits as their heterosexual neighbours.
Contemporary
marriage will not be eroded by the inclusion of others who wish to
commit to a lifetime of love. The world needs more love, not less.
-Ronnie Barrientos
