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Line 1: − == Definition ==+ − A '''same-sex marriage''' is a [[civil union]] between two people of the same sex, given the same legal status as a marriage between a man and a woman. Many religious people refuse to recognize these unions as a "marriage", no matter what the law says. − + − + Line 20:
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'''Same-sex marriage''', also referred to as [[homosexuality]], is an immoral relationship/lifestyle between two people of the same sex.
The Christian conservative organization [[Focus on the Family]] consistently presents the phrase as ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to emphasize their view that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that therefore same-sex unions can only be marriage "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>
The Christian conservative organization [[Focus on the Family]] consistently presents the phrase as ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''[[marriage]],'' to emphasize their view that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that therefore same-sex unions can only be marriage "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>
Unheard of a few decades ago these unions are one of a number of issues involving gay rights and the "culture wars."{{fact}} In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state.
Unheard of a few decades ago, these unions are one of a number of issues involving gay rights and the "culture wars."{{fact}} In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state.
== Background ==
== Background ==
== Line-Drawing & [[Gay Rights]] ==
== Line-Drawing & [[Gay Rights]] ==
Opponents of same-sex marriage suggest that allowing same-sex marriage will place society on a "slippery slope" towards allowing bigamy, incest, and other moral "wrongs." The argument rests on the idea that the only legal or moral "line" preventing same-sex marriage is morality, which is also the only "line" preventing acceptance of bigamy ''et all''.
Opponents of same-sex marriage suggest that allowing same-sex marriage will place society on a "slippery slope" towards allowing bigamy, incest, and other moral "wrongs." The argument rests on the idea that the only legal or moral "line" preventing same-sex marriage is morality, which is also the only "line" preventing acceptance of bigamy ''et all''.
Gay rights workers suggest that such argumentation downplays the danger, though, of the evils at the bottom of the slippery slope, and society's interest in preventing these evils. The state has a compelling interest in preventing bigamous relationships, which are (1) a burden on state funding, since marriage triggers social benefits and (2) have a higher incidence of spousal abuse. These "lines" are not predicated on morality, but on facts. Similarly, incest is an evil that society has a factual interest in preventing, since incestual relationships often (1) entail abuse, and (2) result in unhealthy offspring. Since there are non-moral reasons to reject both of these "horribles", gay rights workers insist that acceptance of same-sex marriage (by abrogation of a legitimate state interest in preserving "morality") does not entail acceptance of bigamy or incest.
Gay rights workers suggest that such argumentation downplays the danger, though, of the evils at the bottom of the slippery slope, and society's interest in preventing these evils. The state has a compelling interest in preventing bigamous relationships, which are (1) a burden on state funding, since marriage triggers social benefits and (2) have a higher incidence of spousal abuse. These "lines" are not predicated on morality, but on facts. Similarly, incest is an evil that society has a factual interest in preventing, since incestual relationships often (1) entail abuse, and (2) result in unhealthy offspring. Since there are non-moral reasons to reject both of these "horribles", gay rights workers insist that acceptance of same-sex marriage (by abrogation of a legitimate state interest in preserving "morality") does not entail acceptance of bigamy or incest.