- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XX - November 10, 2005 - opinion
Don't judge homosexuality based on church doctirne
Guest columnist
On our campuses, there has been much conversation in this past year about homosexuality.
Too much of the discussion has focused around proper church doctrine, not enough on examining our opinions for ourselves.
We should not resort to spitting out citations of church doctrine, taking the party line or offering an unexamined thought in our assessment of equality for homosexuals.
We ought use our minds to find out what is best.
That said, we should turn to the social arena as a starting point for our own argument and demand an adequate response from our leaders.
From a social standpoint, this much is clear: The argument against homosexuality is utter hypocrisy.
The social argument against homosexuality:
1) Our laws must benefit society.
2) The basis of society is the family.
3) Thus, without the family strong and thriving, society is harmed.
4) The only continuation of the family unit is procreation.
5) Thus, homosexuals cannot create the optimal family unit and should not be allowed equal civil rights to marriage as heterosexuals.
Social conservatives cry "It's not a civil rights issue! All have the equal right to enter into a marriage of one man and one woman."
Yet, the problem in the conservative argument is that it places too much emphasis on procreation and not enough emphasis on what truly makes a family — strong,unconditional love.
If that sounds too idealistic, it's not.
Love must play a more important role in a family than procreation, else there would be no room for a single parent family, a family with sterile parents, or a fertile couple who chooses to adopt rather than bear their own fruit.
Given the importance of love, the only question left is, "How does one optimize love?"
The answer is to let homosexuals create a family if they wish.
If the basis of society is family, and the basis of family is love, then you either allow homosexuals in love to have a family or you have a civil rights issue.
Not so, you say?
Let's try this one more time:
1) Our laws must benefit society.
2) The basis of society is the family.
3) Thus, without the family unit strong and thriving, society is harmed.
4) Love is the basis of the family.
5) Thus, anyone who loves enough to give of themselves ought be allowed, if not encouraged, to have a family.
The best way to love another person is to give yourself to them, and to give yourself, you must know yourself.
In the current social climate, no one has better found themselves than homosexuals, who in the face of misunderstanding, hate and bigotry have said, "This is who I am, and this is who I will give to the world."
That sort of strength and personal conviction can only bring about the best in a person and their family, and I'd be proud to be part of a society that would finally recognize that.
This is the opinion of David Gorski, a senior philosophy major at SJU. Contact him at dmgorski@csbsju.edu.