Marriage and Society


Marriage is the foundation of society.  When people change the definition of marriage that starts weakening the foundation of society.  The article summarizing the opinion of the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges was a very interesting read.  I loved hearing all the different sides to every issue, especially since it’s done in such an intelligent way.  I happen to agree with the dissenting judges, but I loved hearing the reasoning of the judges that voted to change the definition of marriage.
 
I really liked this quote that Justice Thomas shared, “”[L]iberty in the eighteenth century was thought of much more in relation to “negative liberty”; that is, freedom from, not freedom to, freedom from a number of social and political evils, including arbitrary government power.” Or as one scholar put it in 1776, “[T]he common idea of liberty is merely negative, and is only the absence of restraint.  Petitioners cannot claim, under the most plausible definition of “liberty,” that they have been imprisoned or physically restrained by the States for participating in same-sex relationships. To the contrary, they have been able to cohabitate and raise their children in peace.” 

I think it’s pretty insightful to think of liberty as freedom from things, and not as much freedom to do things.  We have been free for so long that we don’t feel threatened with jail for most of our actions.  We are so lucky!  I think we may have to start worrying about people’s freedom that don’t agree with the judges ruling.

I know God has certain laws for His children on Earth.  If we obey those laws, society flourishes and individuals flourish.  If we disobey those laws, society starts to suffer because of it.  There are reasons God has the laws he has.  As society starts to suffer we’ll see more things like depression, crime, and fighting.  One of God’s laws is that marriage is between a man and a woman. 

Even though I think that a marriage between a man and a woman is the best way for our society to flourish, I will still live by the law of the land.  I understand that many people can’t see where I’m coming from at all.  I will speak up for traditional marriage whenever I can and when I am teaching my kids.




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