A Religious View of Same-Sex MarriageThe United States is a country built on a number of ideals and institutions. The moral structure 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 of the important elements that constitute the moral foundation of our country. If any of these elements were to mutate too much, the effects on society could be devastating. In the United States, one of these building blocks of society is currently threatened by the possibility of negative transformation. The cornerstone of marriage, the sacred union of a man and a woman, is under attack and at risk of destruction. Proponents of same-sex marriage want to replace marriage with the union of two people of both sexes, which defeats the purpose of marriage and its importance to society and religion. People opposed to same-sex marriage readily express their opinions for religious and cultural reasons that show how this change could have a permanent impact on our society. The institution of marriage is generally known as a religious rite. When religious people think of marriage, they think of God and the Church. Traditionally, people think equally of a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage will change this philosophy. Religious leaders around the world agree that same-sex marriage will change marriage forever. Same-sex marriage and homosexuality are topics that religious leaders around the world connect and agree on. A variety of religions, such as Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, Jews, and Muslims, have...... middle of paper ......s, a division of Random House, Inc . Lattin, D., & Gordon, R. (August 1, 2003). The Vatican and the president intensify their attacks on same-sex marriage. San Francisco Chronicle [Newspaper, article in archives]. 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 Same-Sex Marriage. The Boston Phoenix [Newspaper, article in archives]. Retrieved April 28, 2004 from http://www.bostonphoe nix.com/boston/news_features/top/features/documents/03702314.asp Waldman, S. (2003). An often forgotten concept: why religious people are against homosexual marriage. Slate. Retrieved April 28, 2004, from http://slate.msn.com/id/2091413Winn, P. (2003). Questions and answers: why not same-sex marriage. Citizen link. Retrieved April 25, 2004 from http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0028908.cfm