A Religious View on Same-Sex Marriage The United States is a country built on a set of ideals and institutions. The moral framework of many Americans today was developed by our ancestors and the founders of this nation through the institutions that were part of their lives. Family, religion, marriage, equality and justice are just a few examples of the important components that provide a moral foundation for our country. If any of these elements were to change too much, the effects on society could be devastating. Right now in the United States one of these building blocks of society is threatened by the possibility of a negative transformation. The fundamental element of marriage as a sacred union of a man and a woman is under attack and at risk of being destroyed. People in favor of gay marriage want to change marriage to the union of two people of both sexes, which goes against the purpose of marriage and why it is important to society and religion. People who oppose same-sex marriage enthusiastically express their opinions with religious and cultural reasons that show how this change could have a permanent impact on our society. The institution of marriage is typically known as a religious rite. When religious people think of marriage they think of God and the Church. Traditionally, people also think of a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage will change this philosophy. Religious leaders around the world agree that gay marriage will change marriage forever. Same-sex marriage and homosexuality are topics that the world's religious leaders connect and agree on. A variety of religions, such as Buddhist, Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, and Muslim, have...... middle of paper......s, a division of Random House, Inc.Lattin, D. , and Gordon, R. (2003, August 1). Vatican, the president intensifies the assault on gay marriage. San Francisco Chronicle [Newspaper, article on archive]. Retrieved April 28, 2004, from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/08/01/MN291770.DTLLombardi, K. (March 26, 2004) . The Catholic war against gay marriage. The Boston Phoenix [newspaper, archived article]. Retrieved April 28, 2004, from http://www.bostonphoe nix.com/boston/news_features/top/features/documents/03702314.aspWaldman, S. (2003). A Common Missed Concept: Why Religious People Are Against Gay Marriage. Slate. Retrieved April 28, 2004, from http://slate.msn.com/id/2091413Winn, P. (2003). Q&A: Why not same-sex marriage. City connection. Retrieved April 25, 2004, from http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0028908.cfm