Is gay marriage just the next step?

[Solon]

[CLASS] For thousands of years, marriage in western society was restricted, usually socially, to members of the same social/economic class. Whether in ancient Rome or Victorian England, marrying too far above/below one's station was frowned upon at least, legally forbidden at most. Although some notions of class remain strongly entrenched in the US, the twentieth century witnessed a radical revision of how class works in US society, and America's large middle class offers manifold chances of upward/downward mobility and a corresponding number of socio-economically acceptable marriage partners.

[RACE] There has also historically been a strong social stigma attached to interracial marriage which lasted in legal miscegenation laws until well into the 1960s. While this stigma remains prevalent in some settings (some LDS publications, in fact), interracial marriages are on the rise in the United States.

[SEX and GENDER] Is the movement towards gay marriage the next step in this progression? In many ways, the trend mirrors events of the twentieth century - issues of economic class were fiery topics in the early years, the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s focused on issues with race, particularly African-Americans. The 70s brought us feminist issues . . . are homosexual issues the next step?

In 75 years, will those who opposed homosexual marriage be considered in the same way that we today look at those who opposed women's suffrage or school desegregation?

[MikeWaters]

it's a cycle. After the nuclear apocalypse, things will start over different.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

it's a cycle. After the nuclear apocalypse, things will start over different.

Agreed.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Solon

[CLASS] For thousands of years, marriage in western society was restricted, usually socially, to members of the same social/economic class. Whether in ancient Rome or Victorian England, marrying too far above/below one's station was frowned upon at least, legally forbidden at most. Although some notions of class remain strongly entrenched in the US, the twentieth century witnessed a radical revision of how class works in US society, and America's large middle class offers manifold chances of upward/downward mobility and a corresponding number of socio-economically acceptable marriage partners.

[RACE] There has also historically been a strong social stigma attached to interracial marriage which lasted in legal miscegenation laws until well into the 1960s. While this stigma remains prevalent in some settings (some LDS publications, in fact), interracial marriages are on the rise in the United States.

[SEX and GENDER] Is the movement towards gay marriage the next step in this progression? In many ways, the trend mirrors events of the twentieth century - issues of economic class were fiery topics in the early years, the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s focused on issues with race, particularly African-Americans. The 70s brought us feminist issues . . . are homosexual issues the next step?

In 75 years, will those who opposed homosexual marriage be considered in the same way that we today look at those who opposed women's suffrage or school desegregation?

I doubt it. As Mike opines, we'll likely destroy ourselves in the next 75 years. That's about how much time I give mankind, another 75 or 750. Who knows.

[BYUTexan]

If there is any good that comes out of this, it may be the legalization of polygamy?

[ute4ever]

Originally Posted by Solon

In 75 years, will those who opposed homosexual marriage be considered in the same way that we today look at those who opposed women's suffrage or school desegregation?

I don't know, because opposition to homosexuality has biblical roots, while suffrage and segregation do not- at least not to the same extent anyway. I don't envision the majority of society extending mercy and sympathy to homosexuals as they did those other demographics.

Originally Posted by Leviticus 20:13

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Originally Posted by Romans 1:27

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Originally Posted by Jude 1:7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.