[Faith-talk] article3

[Corey Cook]

Nothing is wrong with him.
He is showing the truth
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
To: "Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion" 
<faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 1:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] article3


> How dramatifc.  We can still use those dead words--husband, wife,
> boyfriend, girlfriend--but we can add new ones.  What's wrong wit the
> man here?
> Beth
>
> On 11/9/08, Corey Cook <ccook01 at knology.net> wrote:
>> What's Really at Stake in the Gay Marriage Debate? Part 3
>> Albert Mohler
>> President, Southern Bapist Theological Seminary
>>
>> October 24, 2008
>>
>> "We're talking about really refraining from using things like, 
>> husband-wife,
>> boyfriend-girlfriend, those kind of things, and just say 'partner,'"
>> explains Robin Sinks.  She is the health education specialist for the 
>> Long
>> Beach Unified School District in California.  The point she was making is
>> clear enough.  The legalization of same-sex marriage will require a
>> comprehensive change in our language.
>>
>> Language is, as we now know, integral to a culture.  In fact,
>> anthropologists such as the influential Clifford Geertz refer to human
>> culture as a "cultural-lingustic system."  The language and the culture 
>> are
>> inseparable.  Each influences the other, and together they produce an 
>> entire
>> system of meaning.
>>
>> Until now, at least, words like "husband" and "wife" have been essential 
>> to
>> understanding our culture.  Some words have been inseparable, forming
>> comprehensive sets of meaning together.  "Marriage" goes with "husband" 
>> and
>> "wife."  "Boyfriend" goes with "girlfriend."
>>
>> With the legalization of same-sex marriage, the only acceptable word is
>> "partner."  Marriage licenses will speak of the union of "Partner A" with
>> "Partner B."  There will be no use for terms such as "wife" or "husband."
>>
>> Robin Sinks made her statement with reference to what the normalization 
>> of
>> same-sex marriage would mean for the public schools.  As MSNBC reports, 
>> the
>> battle over same-sex marriage will reach the schools.
>>
>> "The opposing sides have debated what, if anything, schools must teach 
>> about
>> marriage now that gays have the right to wed," the network explains.
>>
>> California mandates that schools teach about marriage, if the schools 
>> teach
>> sex education.  Surprisingly perhaps, the vast majority of California 
>> school
>> districts do not teach sex education.  Nevertheless, one state judge
>> recently ruled that the districts "may require" such courses.
>>
>> California is "ground zero" on this issue because the state's voters will
>> face "Proposition 8" on the November 4 ballot.  This proposition, if
>> approved by voters, would amend the California constitution to limit
>> marriage to the union of a man and a woman.  The measure is an effort to
>> reverse last May's decision by the California Supreme Court to legalize
>> same-sex marriage.
>>
>> Given the state's huge population and cultural influence, all eyes are 
>> now
>> on California.  But so should be our ears.  Do we hear a shift in the
>> language coming?  If so, the language will change far more than 
>> vocabulary
>> and word usage.
>>
>> Civilizations are built on careful and necessary distinctions.  As an
>> institution, marriage has been defined throughout history as a 
>> heterosexual
>> union.  Marriage is so central to our civilization that its related words
>> have become equally essential.  Words like "husband" and "wife" have been
>> necessary to understanding our stories, our laws, our families, our 
>> social
>> arrangements, and our aspirations.  Transform marriage into a homosexual
>> institution, and the vocabulary no longer works.
>>
>> The effects of this linguistic transformation are most acute among the
>> young.  Language acquisition is among the most essential tasks of 
>> childhood
>> -- and this includes everything from early babbling to vocabulary lists 
>> at
>> school.
>>
>> When children acquire a language without the words "husband" or "wife," 
>> they
>> acquire a cultural knowledge that betrays the subversion of the central
>> institution of civilization itself.  "Partner" is just not enough to 
>> carry
>> the meaning of marriage.  Will "husband" and "wife" soon be relegated to 
>> the
>> dust-bin of obsolete words?  If so, the loss will leave us speechless.
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> In addition to being one of Salem's nationally syndicated radio talk show
>> hosts, R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is the president of The Southern Baptist
>> Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and recognized as one of
>> America's leading theologians and cultural commentators. Contact Dr. 
>> Mohler
>> at mail at albertmohler.com.
>>
>> Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/news/commentary/11583380/
>>
>> Corey Cook
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>
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Corey Cook