|
Before there were established religions there were beliefs about reality, and there was sex- all kinds of sex between all kinds of people.
A group of people, like the ancient hebrews, invented a belief system about god, and marriage between a woman was a key part of that. Relationships between people become highly regulated according to a religious/moral code which does not belong to any state. Homosexual relationships exist but are frowned upon.
When States form that are not established upon religion, they provide for marriage as a legal contract. It defines marriage legally in a way that is consistent with that which is currently the most socially acceptable arrangement: heterosexual marriage. What is socially acceptable is determined to a large extent by what is accepted by religions. The States also think that women are property and a black is only 3/5 of a man. Only white males vote. Only men and women marry.
When society evolves it opens up the restrictions that have been falsely placed upon people. Religion is sometimes the liberator, but all too often it is the source of the oppression. Sometimes it is both.
The legal status of marriage needs to evolve to the social acceptance of gays... but I think the social acceptance is not there yet. Religions need to evolve in a positive way and society needs to evolve toward greater acceptance of diverse human relationships. Sometimes these things take a long time, but eventually they happen. I belong to a religious group which celebrates the partnership commitments of heterosexual and homosexual couples (Quakers).
The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
|