Peer Response 1

When responding to peers, you should strive to first understand the reasons they are offering before challenging or critiquing those reasons. One good way of doing this is by summarizing their argument before offering a critique or evaluation.

In your response post to your fellow student, try to articulate an opposing position on the ethical issue and consider how someone who held that opposing position might do so because he or she holds different virtues or values.

PEERS RESPONSE:

Hello Class,

Is it morally justified for legal marriage to be available to couples of the same sex? Many years ago, legalizing same-sex marriage was one of the most active debate topics. When I look at a wedding, I was taught marriage as being just between a man and woman. Now that we are in a modern age, we see society exploring a further aspect of marriage. Let's look at the case of Obergefell vs. Hodges in June 2015, and there was a 5 to 4 decision made that ruled to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples that caught media attention. According to Golden and Price, "since there are no differences between same-sex and opposite-sex couples in these legal and societal settings, there is no basis for denying same-sex couples the many benefits opposite-sex married couples are granted by the states." This ruling gave people the equal right to marry whoever they wanted. After the landmark Obergefell decision in 2015, same-sex couples were able to get married in all states.

Most Americans think that same-sex marriage is immoral and is against God's commands. According to the Bible, “thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: that is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13). In the Bible, marriage is described as a holy union between a man and woman, but some believe it was taken out of context. Genesis 2:24, Hebrews 13:4, Ephesians 5:22-24 describe husband and wife as one flesh. Although homosexuals disagree, they believe that they should have the same rights as heterosexuals. It doesn't matter how we see it, God's words are true; he created man and woman and all the animals and creepy things on earth.

According to utilitarian theory, homosexual marriage is considered acceptable. Utilitarianism is “the theory that morally right actions, laws, or policies are those whose consequences have the greatest positive value and the least negative value compared to available alternatives” (Thames, 2018). A theory explains that same sex marriage are more likely to result in happiness for a greater cause. As for deontology theory, it looks at the reason and rule for which an act was done, instead of the consequences of the action. The ethnic view of utilitarianism is impartial when it comes to cultures, beliefs, and religion. In Mill’s argument, happiness is the sole basis of morality and people never wish to be anything but happy. When considering Mill’s utilitarianism ethic, it can be shown that the equal rights movement should be allowed because it is for the greater good of the majority. As for my point of view, I do not agree with same sex marriage, and according to the Bible it is a sin.

-Sandra

Reference

Thames, B. (2018). How should one live? An introduction to ethics and moral reasoning (3rd ed.). Bridgepoint Education.

Golden, Nancy & Price, Margaret “PEGI” How Obergefell Impacted the Marital Communications Privilege for Same-Sex Spouses. American Journal of Family Law, Summer 2018, Vol.32 Issue 2, p69-74. 6p.

14-556 Obergefell v. Hodges (06/26/2015) - Supreme Court (Links to an external site.)

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf (Links to an external site.)