Same Sex Marriage: For or Against? The Buddhist Views

last SG · 2012-05-20T15:11:22+00:00

Is the proclamation above meant to seriously : 1. Discriminate against same sex union, or 2. Ridicule those against same sex union, or 3. Amusement for thos...

alize SG

Don't go talking to Singaporeans about rights. They don't know any such concept.

Weychin SG

I beg to differ in this instance, marriage as an institution is to be recognised by society at large. Marriage in civilised society is either sanctioned by state and religon or customary rites. For example, in Singapore, it is not uncommon for Christian couples to go through all three ceremonies, ROM, church wedding, tea ceremony. Also, wedding vows must have witnesses to make complete the vows and not forgetting the wedding banquet! Obviously, a wedding must be recognised by it's society before it(state or community) will accrue the union it's right to protection. For couple who cohabited without state sanctioning have common law wife/ husband status. Recognition by society is important.

The marriage institution is a private arrangement between two individual parties. So long as it does not bring about any harm to the individuals concerned or to society at large, laws against homosexuality or same sex marriage should be repealed. Secular laws should be there for the benefit of all in a multi-racial society and not to be use by some as a tool to hold other hostage on issue that is not even of their concerns whether it is for reasons of their own personal moral values or because of their religious beliefs or teachings.

More importantly, by giving approval and recognizing to same sex marriage, it would give these people the same rights and access as normal married couples to such rights as subsidized housing and the right to adopt children to form their own nuclear family unit.

Weychin SG

I still refer to birthright of the future offspring, the need to protect the vulnerable, the baby and the long period he/she needs to become a fully fledged human being. As the same sex couple is unable to bear offspring, why should it demand and deprive couples with offsprings of social care intended to perpetuate the community and species. Please understand the same sex and man/ women sexual do not have the same end game! Adoption must compatible with contemporary social mores! Also gender roles for species propogation must be considered, the expectation of one’s social role when one becomes another’s parent. Currently, the more common family unit is a patriachal one!

alize SG

But society is not always right. That's why the definition of marriage is an evolving one. It used to include polygamy and exclude inter-racial marriage, as accepted by society.

Weychin SG

To press the case further,I believe most of us would have heard of stories of some guy, usually a teenager, asked to take responsibility for a very pregnant girl, usually also teenager. The urgency for the case for marriage is more for pregnancy rather than the consumation of union. Fornification, out of sight and mind, is usually conveniently, side stepped, but not if it involve another life, the unborn infant!

alize SG

What does that have to do with gay marriage or marriage at all? Genuninely confused.

alize SG

I have posted elsewhere before, that the decision to deny gay rights is a political one.

The PAP knows its vote bastion of old people is anti-gay. If it were to grrant gays rights, it would suffer no vote losses because the opposition would hardly swing to the anti-gay side and oppose the issue.

Instead, by capitalizing on the painting of the opposition as pro-gay, it derives additional support from its vote base. Attempts to capitalize on this perception include Vivian's comments on Vincent Wijeysingha.

Weychin SG

But society is not always right. That's why the definition of marriage is an evolving one. It used to include polygamy and exclude inter-racial marriage, as accepted by society.

Agreed, the but examples you give all involves producing the next generation, for a same sexual union to gain wide acceptance and not disdain, another term must be coined and not seen to dilute the signifance of present matrimony values! It must find a way to coexist with continuing social values!

alize SG

Agreed, the but examples you all involves producing the next genaration, for a same sexual union to gain wide acceptance and not disdain, another term must be coined and not seen to dilute the signifance of present matrimony values! It must find a way to coexist with continuing social values!

Oh, so you want to allow gays their rights but give their right a different name.

But back when the issue was inter-racial couples and polygamous marraige, was a new name coined? Would it deny their rights if we coined a new name for them now?

alize SG

Just for everyone's information,

In some countries, civil unions and marriage exist side by side. A heterosexual couple can opt to solemnize their marriage in court and have a civil union. Or they can do it in church. They have equal rights in the eyes of the law.

In Singapore, all marriages are civil unions. They are synonymous. That's why it is a criminal offence to hold a traditional ceremony without first registering your marriage officially. You are free to hold a church or customary ceremony after or not hold one at all. But to hold a ceremony without registering it and then go round saying you are married will be punished with jail time.

Weychin SG

What does that have to do with gay marriage or marriage at all? Genuninely confused.

I split the difference between gay union and gay marriage, also gay marriage vs hereotosexual marriage. Both are unions but only one is procreational!

Weychin SG

I have posted elsewhere before, that the decision to deny gay rights is a political one.

<br / Political creatures will always be political creatures! They exploit whatever is to their political advantage! If you push an agenda too hard against current social mores be carefup of a social backlash! One must cultivate positive image and goodwill.

Weychin SG

Why do people go through additional customary rites when only the state sanctioned one is sufficient? To gain recognition from its respective community. So if a couple has to go through so much, it is not as simple as an affair of two! Why a marriage for same sex union? No witnesses, not other to celebrate with? If not for social acceptance, why go the ritual of marriage?!

Just for everyone's information,

alize SG

If I have plenty of support from my friends and family for my gay marriage ceremony, can I do it? My happiness is your business?

If you had a gay son, we'll see you on the other side. Don't laugh, it might happen.

You are imposing much hardship on gay people, so you can feel a little happier. This is not a Christian attitude. Nor Buddhist. Nor in line with any religion you may happen to believe in.

Weychin SG

First I wish you happiness, and you do have a right to be happy! Your happiness would be more complete if society at large accept you as you are, not just your friends! I am not going debate whether it's your choice or you're predisposed! But the fact that you go down this road, there will be issues in any path you take! Take accountability for your life. Am I against you(or your lot)? No, just pointing the issues that you'll face! Also, do you think I've much of a choice whether my son or daughter will turn out to be gay or lesbian?

If I have plenty of support from my friends and family for my gay marriage ceremony, can I do it? My happiness is your business?

You are imposing much hardship on gay people, so you can feel a little happier. If you had a gay son, we'll see you on the other side. Don't laugh, it might happen.

Weychin SG

Being a Buddhist, I seek happiness, I also wish happiness to others! For us to be happy we must first accept accountability and also stop centering on ourselves and show concern and consideration for others. Do not posit that you”ll be happier if this or that would have happened!

Weychin SG

For your information, I had a friend who committed suicide, but at that time I was too inexperienced and preoccupied with myself to have read the signs and helped him in some way or another!

Metta with Mindfulness SG

Setting aside any other ideology, there is no right or wrong of having a same sex marriage. If two people, regardless of their sexuality preferances want to lead their life under protective consitution… why not? We should give their blessing as long as they are happy in a relationships and feel better with someone they love.

What worse is being bigotry, a less compassionate idea or action. Discriminating and imposing our own ideas onto others. Regardless of what people are, as long as they did no harm, we should accept and love people as who they are.

alize SG

Of course you are against the idea of gays using the term "marriage", you think it is exclusive to you.

I would encourage gays to get married (such as in a foreign jurisdiction, we have many gay expat couples here, and some local ones) and to use the term. The lawful bonds of marriage will apply to you, just that ROM will not register you, so go overseas. No one can stop you. And like I said above, in Singapore, a registered civil union is a marriage.

If people like this say the word is not for you, pay them no heed and carry on.

Weychin SG

This is obviously an emotional issue for you! But not for me! I’ve not bore any ill will or malice to you or gays and I’ve not victimized you either! You are whom you are, just be at ease with yourself! It is possible that you have been discriminated by some at some point, therefore crave some official sanctioning of who you are! Anyway, I’ve made my points in a very rational manner, advocating for the family with offspring instead of just an union!

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