Every now and again in the course of human history there are moments when the division between advancement and decline is monumental. For some these divisions are clear, and it is easy to discern the path of cultural progress; while for others, the paths seem all too blurred. In the opinion of many we are at just such crossroads in our country (and, in fact, in much of the world). It is hard to imagine the question before us being more significant, for it deals with those questions that are quintessentially human. The debate over the redefinition of marriage to include unions of those of the same sex is vastly larger than so many are willing to admit. The current debate over marriage concerns how deeply (or superficially) our culture is willing to value life, the family, and the very structure of human relationships.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has declared that there can be no distinction made in civil law between unions of those of the same sex and of those between a man and a woman. The fact that this ruling does not immediately sound senseless to many is a testament to how impoverished our notion of marriage has become. The union of husband and wife is that in which a man and a woman, in giving themselves completely to each other, unite to become one flesh and form an indissoluble union ordered to bringing new life into the world. This relationship is not simply one among many others, but rather that union set apart in which each of our lives began. Only when understanding the sanctity of this union can one begin to examine other relationships that claim equivalency with it.
When a government desires to give economic benefits to this sacred union, it is not a matter of unjust discrimination or bigotry toward anyone else, but rather is a recognition of certain relationships for what they are. The union of husband and wife is the basic building block of society. As it is said, "As goes the family, so goes society."
This obligation to promote marriage and family life means more than a distinction of terms. If a society is to be serious about preserving the sanctity of marriage, equivalent civil status to alternative unions simply doesn't make sense. Preserving the recognition of the distinct union that is marriage is a vital element in promoting a culture that honors life and the family.
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