[Faith-talk] article3

[Beth]

Okay.  YOu're right.
Beth

On 11/10/08, Corey Cook <ccook01 at knology.net> wrote:
> 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
>
>
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