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Defending marriagein the public square
St Marys, June 4, 2011
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The traditional view of the family isunder huge pressure.
The politically correct view is becomingdominant.
The New Family Debate
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Says we must help children where they
are. Points out that a quarter of children are
now being raised in non-marital families.
Says favouring marriage over other family
forms is unjust discrimination. Says one of the new forms of
family is the
gay and lesbian family.
The Family Diversity View
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Pro-marriage view accused of being
judgemental towards other families.
Claims that family structure doesnt matter.
Claims a child simply needs loving parents
or even just one loving parent.
Therefore it says the sex of the parents
doesnt matter.
Also, it doesnt matter whether they are
married.
Family Diversity II
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Stresses the enduring importance of
marriage.
Points out that marriage is the most pro-child of social
institutions.
Why? Because it gives a child both a
mother and a father. Therefore we should favour it if we think
a
child should have a mother and a father.
This is a practical, not a moral judgement.
The Pro-Marriage View
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Research clearly demonstrates that familystructure matters for
children, and the
family structure that helps the most is afamily headed by two
biological parents in
a low-conflict marriage...There is thus
value in promoting strong, stable marriagesbetween biological
parents.
Child Trends. 'Marriage from a child's perspective: How does
family structure affect children, andwhat can we do about it?' -
June 2002
Why is Marriage Special?
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The issue of family structure is
very relevant as per previous
quote.
A child does need loving parents.
But a loving mother and
father most of all.
Family Structure Matters
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Marriage better than cohabitation.
Married couples much more likely to staytogether.
Family Structure Matters
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A romantic ideal.
But, it is increasingly seen as emotional
bond only.
This view is one reason for the increasing
divorce rate.
If it is purely an emotional bond, then why
not allow same-sex couples to marry?
But it is also a social institution.
What is Marriage?
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It is a form of social organisation
deemed to be so important that it
receives strong social recognition andsupport, including
financial and legal
assistance.
Marriage is important because ofchildren first, adults
second.
It is societys way of trying to give
every child a mother and father.
What is a social Institution?
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Two people.
A man and a woman. In a public commitment.
A sexual relationship.
All these elements have children in mind.
Elements of Marriage
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Why these elements?
Two people because only two people can
produce the same child.
A man and a woman because only menand women can have
children.
Sex, because only sex leads naturally to
children. Public commitment. Commit first, then
have children, then receive the rights and
benefits of marriage.
Why these elements?
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Say it doesnt really matter.
Slowly strip it of its legal and financialcharacter, e.g. the
relative tax advantagesof marriage.
Never defend it.
Praise family diversity. Provide its benefits equally to other
family forms.
This undermines its special position.
How to undermine Marriage
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Debate is really about children.
Marriage advocates say children need a mother
and father. Family diversity advocates deny this.
They said all children need is a loving parent or
parents.
If we care about children we must defend
marriage.
Argument is being lost by default.
Children at heart of the debate
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Religious freedom implications
Religious believers being sued worldwide
Photographer in US
Church hall in New Jersey
Catholic adoption agencies in
Britain
Religious Freedom Implications
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Traditional marriage supporters being
equated with racist bigots Belief in traditional marriage a
private
prejudice
Religious Freedom Implications
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Be informed
Dont be intimidated
Have confidence in the pro-marriage
argument
Get your churches involved
Dont hesitate to contact your politicians
What to do
