Shakespeare once wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Truly it is the substance of the rose - not the name given - that makes it the beautiful flower it is. But what if we took the opposite approach? Would calling a dandelion a rose make it smell sweet? Of course not. There is much in a name.
The marriage-protection amendment "protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife." This prevents gay unions from being accepted as something they are not - marriages.
This is my opinion as a Catholic Christian not because we hate gays, but because gay marriage is impossible. Marriage is a truth that cannot be redefined. One can call homosexual relationships "civil unions" or even "marriages," but it does not make them so. Marriage unifies men and women like pieces of a puzzle. The sexes were created and designed to complement one another. True, one can cram two mismatched puzzle pieces together and make them fit, but it will change the picture of the puzzle. Everything we say with our bodies makes a statement. It either proclaims a truth or a lie. Sex says something. Sex makes the marriage vows valid.
As explained in Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body," marriage is a pledge between a man and a woman to give oneself freely, faithfully, completely and fruitfully. This definition comes from Scripture, tradition, nature and the common experience of man.
Marriage cannot be forced; thus, it is free. Marriage must be totally self-giving, holding nothing back - complete. Marriage must be open to the possibility of life - fruitful. Sex is meant to proclaim these truths about love. It is easy for us to recognize when they are not being proclaimed. If sex is not freely chosen, it is rape. If it is not life-giving, then it is intentionally sterile or contraceptive.
With this understanding of marriage, it is not possible for homosexuals to enjoy the fullness of marital love. Though many aspects of their relationship may have features of love, it is not life-giving. It is not procreative. Therefore, it deserves neither recognition nor benefits. We must show compassion to our homosexual brothers and sisters but not by condoning deficient sexual expressions of love.
I encourage the entire campus and all Catholic Student Fellowship members to support this amendment and stand for truth.
Benjamin Burwell is a family, youth and community sciences sophomore and president of the UF Catholic Student Fellowship.
