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- Title
THE GAY MARRIAGE DEBATE – AFTERTHOUGHTS.
- Authors
Benn, Piers
- Abstract
This article analyses some familiar arguments both for, and against, same-sex civil marriage. I argue that it is not enough to defend gay marriage by a simple appeal to equality, unless one addresses the view that same-sex marriage would be contrary to the objective nature and purpose of marriage. I illustrate the ways in which a stand-off is reached in discussions of this particular matter. I also suggest that there is a mystery about what the ‘upgrade’ from a faithful relationship to marriage amounts to, but that part of the answer is that marriage embodies a state-recognized social transition. This is underpinned by the interest that society has in marriage, largely owing to its facilitating a stable environment for children. However, I suggest that marriage also properly functions as a way to uphold commitment and love, and conclude that that there is no good reason not to uphold – through marriage – those things in same-sex relationships. But I concede that religious organisations with theological objections to same-sex marriage should not be obliged to conduct gay weddings.
- Subjects
SAME-sex marriage laws; SOCIAL aspects of marriage; RELIGIOUS institutions; PARRIS, Matthew; TORY Party (Great Britain)
- Publication
Think: Philosophy for Everyone, 2014, Vol 13, Issue 36, p23
- ISSN
1477-1756
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S1477175613000298