Article Rebuttal

Article Rebuttal Paper: Same-Sex Marriages

Manisha Holley

BCOM/275

August 13, 2012

Eric Graves

Article Rebuttal Paper: Same-sex Marriages

The United States of America is considered the land of the free. It is composed of different types of people all with their own dreams, ideas, and characteristics. As Americans we take pride in our freedom, and the reassurance that the American dream is attainable. However, currently some Americans are being denied this idea of freedom. Homosexuals, just like heterosexuals want acceptance, commitment, love, and above everything else they too want marriage. Yet, these dreams are remaining just that, dreams. Some Americans traditional views of marriage have hindered homosexual Americans from participating in our important and most social act, marriage.

Dr. James Dobson states, “The legalization of homosexual marriage will quickly destroy the traditional family. ... When the State sanctions homosexual relationships and gives them its blessing, the younger generation becomes confused about sexual identity and quickly loses its understanding of lifelong commitments, emotional bonding, sexual purity, the role of children in a family, and from a spiritual perspective, the “sanctity” of marriage (Dobson, 2004).

Dobson’s statement focuses on how marriages have historically or traditionally been. He has committed what is called a logic fallacy. Just because people have developed a pattern or routine of doing things a certain way for a long period of time does not make their actions the correct and only way to do things. “Depending on the culture and time, marriages were also "traditionally" meant to solidify business or political alliances, and had little to do with the emotions and future of the bride and groom” (Karimi, 2012). Racism and sexism used to be considered the norm and now it is frown upon. The fact that there was a pattern or a tradition of this behavior didn’t mean that it was right.

Most Americans that oppose...