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Friday, August 15, 2003

•••America Begins To Realize Marriage Good, Promiscuity Bad for Society? In doing some serious thinking about American citizens who are seeking to move beyond tolerance of homosexuality into official American societal approval, endorsement and support for the lifestyle, it has occurred to me that by so doing the homosexual community appears to be taking a rather unprecedented united stand against promiscuity. While it would be going too far to suggest that the gay community is now overtly condemning promiscuous sexual behavior, it nevertheless seeks to obtain societal rewards which serve to encourage and provide incentive for formalized, committed and lifelong relationships. Doing the serious thinking about this question of public policy and social structure in America may, in fact, cause citizens to examine anew some quite important foundational questions that have pretty well been taken for granted, or even devalued: 1.) Why is it that our society establishes rewards (tax breaks, insurance coverage) for married people that exclude the unmarried? 2.) Why do we have the consequences and penalties that follow the dissolution of marriage (alimony, child support, etc.)? Mr. Nosuch has written a biting parody which appears to suggest the answer to those two questions is "Because the Bible sez marriage good, promiscuity bad." I'm hoping the discussion that follows will shed light on a couple of things that fascinate me the more I consider them. Yet unasked and unnoticed is the fact that there is something in the institution of marriage which IS, in fact, valuable to society and worthy of special consideration -- such that the gay community seeks to no longer be excluded from it. Now I suppose some have and will take the cynical position that the only thing the gay community values in the marriage construct are the financial advantages, such that "it's all about the money." I don't buy that, personally. In fact, I can't think of a solitary gay person I've ever known well and cared deeply about in my life that would fit into the "money grubbing, greed-driven capitolist" stereotype by a long stretch. Yet there have been precious few (though some, certainly) gay persons in my life who have not frequently, openly and bitterly criticized and ridiculed marriage and family, monogamy and fidelity along with all who promote and encourage them, particularly religious institutions. Perhaps we have arrived at a time when rather than short-sighted careless criticism of marriage and family, some serious thinking about the real value of marriage, it's worthy high place in the structure of society, and it's enduring stabilizing value in culture and country can be done. Maybe we'll come to realize the baby-boomers did not do society a favor by promoting sexual promiscuity. And maybe, just maybe, it will begin to be said that religious people have actually not been motivated by the desire to weild micromanaging power over others and oppress minorities -- but have actually managed to do something good in teaching against adultery and divorce, and upholding marriage and family.   12:24:36 PM   googleit 183

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