Introduction

The San Francisco Chronicle reports in the article “Argentina legalizes gay marriage in historic vote” (by Michael Warren, AP), that Argentina has become the first country in socially and religiously conservative Latin America to legalize gay marriage – thereby, inspiring activists in other Latin American countries. 

Highlights are below, followed by discussion questions. …. Read more by clicking on the above article title

Argentina – The First Latin American Nation

“Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage Thursday, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.”

Argentina Has Inspired Other Latin American Countries

“The law's passage — a priority for President Cristina Fernandez's government — has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries, and a wave of gay weddings are expected in Buenos Aires.”

“’Argentina's political class has provided a lesson to the rest of Latin America, said Rolando Jimenez in the Chilean capital, Santiago. ‘We hope our own countries and political parties will learn that the human rights of sexual minorities are undeniable.’”

Approval Came Despite Campaign By Roman Catholics And Evangelicals

“The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage.”

Argentina Is Now A More Just and Democratic Country

“’From today onward, Argentina is a more just and democratic country,’ said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender federation. The law ‘not only recognizes the rights of our families, but also the possibility of having access to health care, to leave a pension, to leave our assets to the people with whom we have shared many years of life, including our children,’ she said.”

America Should Lead – Not Lag?

"Today's historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom-to-marry movement has come, as 12 countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality," said Evan Wolfson, who runs the U.S. Freedom to Marry lobby…. Wolfson urged U.S. lawmakers to follow suit: "America should lead, not lag, when it comes to treating everyone equally under the law."

 

***** Questions For Thought, Comment, And Small Group Discussion *****

(1) Are you surprised that a socially and religiously conservative country like Argentina legalized gay marriage – why or why not?

(2) Do you think Argentina will inspire other countries in Latin America to legalize gay marriage – why or why not?

(3) Why do you think the Catholic and Evangelical campaign against gay marriage failed to prevent legalization of gay marriage in Argentina?

(4) Do you think the Catholic and Evangelical campaign against gay marriage in the US is more successful – and, if so, why?

(5) Do you agree that "America should lead, not lag, when it comes to treating everyone equally under the law" – why or why not?

(6) Do you think it is ironic that the US, which has “equality” written into the US  Constitution, should lag behind socially conservative Argentina, which once was a dictatorship – why or why not?

(7) Do you think it is ironic that the US, where “all religions” are protected under the US Constitution, should lag behind a religiously conservative Argentina, wherein the Catholic Church dominates the religious landscape – why or why not?

 

***** References To Relevant Articles Posted On MicahsCall *****

(a) “Why Prominent Conservative Attorney Argues For Gay Marriage?” is a review of and with a link to the Newsweek article entitled “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage” (by Theodore B. Olsen), wherein Olsen gives his reasons – as a conservative – for taking on the San Francisco Federal District Court case challenging Prop 8, which will most likely be appealed to the US Supreme Court. 

(b) “Jesus Accepted Gays – As Christians We Must Also!” (by Peter Wong) discusses Jesus’ teachings on accepting gays in Matthew 19:12, with a detailed discussion of Norwegian theologian Raghnild Schanke’s research uncovering the term “eunuchs” in Biblical times included gays.

(c)  “Isaiah’s God Welcomed Gays – As Christians We Must Also!”  (by Peter Wong) explains that when God spoke through his prophet Isaiah to his people in Isaiah 56:4 welcoming eunuchs, he also welcomed gays, since the term “eunuchs” in Biblical times included gays.

(d) “What Bible Really Says About Traditional Marriage?” is a review of and with a link to a provocative Newsweek article entitled “Our Mutual Joy” (by Lisa Miller) that examines what the Bible and Jesus teach about traditional marriage. Surprisingly, our notions of traditional marriage come not from the Bible or Jesus’ teachings, but rather from custom and tradition.

(e) “Same-Sex Marriage: A Dialogue With The Christian Right,” (by Peter Wong) presents an example Socratic-like dialogue supporting same-sex marriage, weaving facts and Biblical citations into the dialogue.

(f) “LET’S DIALOGUE WITH THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT: A Syllabus Of Strategies, Moral Values, And Biblical Citations” (by Peter Wong) is a book-length syllabus that presents strategies, moral values, Biblical citations, and example Socratic-like dialogues on “hot button” social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, global warming, immigration, and universal health insurance. 

 

 

Socially & Religiously Conservative Argentina Legalizes Gay Marriage | 0 comments

Newest First Oldest First Flat No Comments (Login before posting)

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.