Posted on 09/06/2013 8:04:50 PM PDT by ReformationFan
In his 1835 book Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville noted that for Americans, "equality is their idol." Among such a democratic people, he reports, "there are certain epochs at which the passion they entertain for it swells to the height of fury." They prefer equality in freedom, he noted, but if "they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery." Even barbarism, servitude, and poverty are acceptable offerings to "this irresistible passion."
The same-sex marriage debate might have focused on the purpose of sexuality, or the nature of homosexuality, or the etiology of marriage. Instead, the dominant conversation has been about equality, and the passion generated has been ferocious. Recent polls showing majorities of Americans in favor of this conjugal novelty testify again to Tocqueville's prescient warning.
Morality Redefined
Father John A. Ryan, the early-twentieth-century social ethicist at the Catholic University of America, authored an essay in 1916 on "Family Limitation." Addressed to his fellow priests, the article sought to clarify Catholic teachings on birth control in light of new publicity regarding this practice stirred up by Margaret Sanger. Simple observation, Ryan said, showed that "the generative faculty has as its specific and essential end the procreation of offspring." Consequently, "all positive methods of birth prevention" were "grievous sins," because they violated "the sanctity of nature." As he neatly summarized, "Actions which are in harmony with nature are good; those which are not in harmony with nature are bad."
(Excerpt) Read more at touchstonemag.com ...
Dentistry is not in harmony with nature, nor is modern medicine, nor (for that matter) is the computer you typed these words on. "Not in harmony with nature" as a moral criticism is ridiculously overbroad.
Talking about “harmony with nature” is a backdoor way to get your Christian listener/reader to accept paganism.
There is nothing unnatural in promoting good teeth or good health. In fact, the dentist or doctor uses the law of nature to do both.
As for the conjugal union the laws of nature direct this toward the creation of a new human being. The man provides something and the woman provides something.
In the case or same-sex union, this complementary contribution is imposible a priori. The nature, biological, scientific and natural end of sexual union is frustrated and misdirected. No mater (latin for mother) is intended. Therefore there is no MATRImony.
There is perhaps SODOMony.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.