Post by mitrope38 on Nov 16, 2011 21:59:18 GMT -5
With the establishment of something as significant and permanent as a country, it is undeniable that the developing party will prevail through the existence of its creation. This describes the influence of the Puritans, a group that has been inactive for hundreds of years, in American society. The Puritan values remaining in American society have threatened the validity of our government in regards to the issue of Same-Sex Marriage.
The Puritans were the self-proclaimed, “People of God,” who had come to the “New World” from England to do holy work, which in their venture, would leave an everlasting affect on the United States. The “errand,” as Bercovitch called it, was the sacred mission of the group in coming to America, which influenced them to control the language, in turn, controlling the ideology of the country. Their rhetoric was engraved into American society when it was decided that the issuing of marriage licenses was to be a reserved power, during the formation of the Constitution. The validity of the love shared by two people currently relies upon the beliefs of the majority of state government, which uses a sacredly influenced document as a reference in decision-making. In order to work around this Puritanical influence on the Constitution, society has had to develop a new rhetoric with phrases such as, “civil union,” to give some legitimacy to the union of two people of the same sex. The imprint of this haunting group is so deeply branded that it is likely America will eventually be forced to abandon the title of “marriage” all together in order to disassociate from any Puritan influence.
America prides itself on being a country that boasts separation of church and state, yet the influence of a religious group that died out hundreds of years ago is still relevant and plays an active role in the system of governing. Regardless of individual opinions on the issue of Same-Sex marriage, voting on a bill that allows or denies this right is hypocritical and contradicts the secular appearance America has painted for itself as it is a reflection upon a religious belief not a political viewpoint. Notably, the European outlook on the subject is very different. Currently, of the ten countries that have legalized same sex marriage, seven of them are located in Europe and there are more still within the continent, that have plans for authorization in the near future. It is likely that America would share a similar outlook as Europe had the country not been influenced by the Puritans so early on in its development.
The Puritans may have initially come with the intentions of creating a nation for God; however, America became their basis for constructing a society that instilled their beliefs into a system of governing. This system established a specific social order that excluded anyone who was unlike they were or contradicted their religion, namely, the homosexual community. If the group had sufficient purpose and success they would not have vanished from society. Therefore, it is counterproductive for America, a country that strives for progress and advancement, to hold on to the Puritanical morals.
Word Count: 527
Lindenberger, Michael A. "A Gay-Marriage Solution: End Marriage? - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 16 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1885190,00.html>.
Michaels, Ralf. "The American Society of International Law ASIL Insights - Same-Sex Marriage: Canada, Europe and the United States." The American Society of International Law Home Page. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.asil.org/insigh111.cfm>.
The Puritans were the self-proclaimed, “People of God,” who had come to the “New World” from England to do holy work, which in their venture, would leave an everlasting affect on the United States. The “errand,” as Bercovitch called it, was the sacred mission of the group in coming to America, which influenced them to control the language, in turn, controlling the ideology of the country. Their rhetoric was engraved into American society when it was decided that the issuing of marriage licenses was to be a reserved power, during the formation of the Constitution. The validity of the love shared by two people currently relies upon the beliefs of the majority of state government, which uses a sacredly influenced document as a reference in decision-making. In order to work around this Puritanical influence on the Constitution, society has had to develop a new rhetoric with phrases such as, “civil union,” to give some legitimacy to the union of two people of the same sex. The imprint of this haunting group is so deeply branded that it is likely America will eventually be forced to abandon the title of “marriage” all together in order to disassociate from any Puritan influence.
America prides itself on being a country that boasts separation of church and state, yet the influence of a religious group that died out hundreds of years ago is still relevant and plays an active role in the system of governing. Regardless of individual opinions on the issue of Same-Sex marriage, voting on a bill that allows or denies this right is hypocritical and contradicts the secular appearance America has painted for itself as it is a reflection upon a religious belief not a political viewpoint. Notably, the European outlook on the subject is very different. Currently, of the ten countries that have legalized same sex marriage, seven of them are located in Europe and there are more still within the continent, that have plans for authorization in the near future. It is likely that America would share a similar outlook as Europe had the country not been influenced by the Puritans so early on in its development.
The Puritans may have initially come with the intentions of creating a nation for God; however, America became their basis for constructing a society that instilled their beliefs into a system of governing. This system established a specific social order that excluded anyone who was unlike they were or contradicted their religion, namely, the homosexual community. If the group had sufficient purpose and success they would not have vanished from society. Therefore, it is counterproductive for America, a country that strives for progress and advancement, to hold on to the Puritanical morals.
Word Count: 527
Lindenberger, Michael A. "A Gay-Marriage Solution: End Marriage? - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 16 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1885190,00.html>.
Michaels, Ralf. "The American Society of International Law ASIL Insights - Same-Sex Marriage: Canada, Europe and the United States." The American Society of International Law Home Page. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.asil.org/insigh111.cfm>.