A couple of comments have been attached to yesterday's post on marriage. You can read them by clicking on "comments" in the highlighted section at the end of the post.
The first one expresses disagreement, citing historical and cultural precedent. That's a good point, since there seems no denying the reality of those things. It occurs to me, though, that historical period during which the cultural behaviors were developed also coincided with general avoidance of the reality of gay and lesbian members of the population. (Using the word "avoidance" here as a surrogate for a variety of other verbs that could also be used, most of them being harsher.) Since this segment of the population had minimal recognition and acceptance, it was therefore also not able to participate in certain cultural norms. Nonetheless, I have to admit that there's no changing history.
There's comfort in keeping things the way that we know them, isn't there? But, if that were to always be the overriding concern, then society would still prohibit interracial marriages, too.
The second comment is very personal and worth reading. Since it is so personal I won't expand on it; however, the writer posits the question "what defines us as a society?"
Interesting question. . .I don't have a ready answer. Contributions on this from others would be welcome.
But it seems to me that the institution of marriage is probably one of many things that contributes to the definition of our society. However, since many--almost all--other human societies currently in existence also have marriage in one form or another, then from that perspective we're just members of the crowd. One point of difference, of course, is that some of the European nations recognize same-sex marriage.
What else might be said to define us as a society? Lots of things, I suppose. Some of them might be contradictory. Certain labels come to mind: conservative, generous, contentious, skeptical, creative, indulgent, fearful, fearsome, rich, confused. The list can probably go on and on.
1 comment:
So Gary - they say you get more and more conservative as you age but I have found just the opposite. I have lived at the highest, most elite levels of our society and sadly, I have been near the bottom as well (thanks to our AWESOME healthcare system that we don't want to change come hell or high water) and lately I have decided that I would like to live in a society where our main purpose and goal is to do all we can to ensure that every person can be the best person they can be. Yes, that means the talented and gifted do "more" and contribute more to those who are less abled. I realize that this sounds like socialism and I think that, yes - I've gone socialist. I would like to be in a society where its citizens freely choose to live this way. I would not want it prescribed or dictated. It's what Jesus would do, clearly. There's nothing capitalist in Jesus' message. It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 19:23-25) Yes, it is idealistic but if we are not clear about a society we would like to live in then there's no way we could even edge towards it. You can't reach a destination that is not clearly defined or understood. Interestingly I think we would have more iPhones, Porches and "riches" in a society like this. "What we keep we lose and only what we give remains our own." (St. Catherine's Episcopal School - motto)
PS - the excuse "because it's always been that way" is one of the most lame and brainless excuses one can give imho. C'mon... thinking doesn't hurt THAT much !
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