NBC's Today Show Changes Rules: Same-Sex 'Marriage' Given Equivalent Status

NBC changed its rules for the Today Show wedding contest that is broadcast on morning TV

Contrary to false doctrines, human sexuality is not a chance product of material evolution which is to be used for whatever utilitarian purpose is desired, but rather is 'ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman' in the sacrament of marriage, and is a 'physical intimacy of the spouses' which becomes a 'sign and pledge of spiritual communion' (see CCC No. 2360). Clearly human sexuality is a profound gift from God that, in the context of marriage, joins the spouses together in unity as man and wife, as one flesh.

P>DENVER, CO (Catholic Online) - After a meeting with the homosexual activist group Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) on Thursday, NBC changed its rules for the Today Show wedding contest that is broadcast on morning TV, allowing same-sex "couples" to apply for a so-called "wedding ceremony" which is aired annually on the morning television show.

According to the Today Show, gay and lesbian applicants were previously excluded from the "wedding ceremony" due to the inability of same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses in the state of New York. However, GLAAD insisted against the validity of such an argument, "since New York State legally recognizes same-sex marriages licensed in other states," wrote GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios. "Same-sex couples can now legally obtain marriage licenses in Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington D.C. NBC mistakenly equated the marriage license with the wedding celebration. Same-sex weddings are entirely legal in New York State."

On July 8, the Today Show released a statement to GLAAD, claiming it has received "considerable response regarding our wedding contest application." According to the statement, the Today Show's intent in formerly excluding same-sex ceremonies "was not to be discriminatory or exclusive. . . . We have listened to every voicemail and read every email. We take this feedback seriously, and we will change our application process. TODAY is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, and GLAAD considers us an ally. We are committed to keeping those relationships strong and positive. We have opened up the application process to same-sex couples, . . . Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples."

Showing approval for NBC's decision, Jarrett Barrios wrote, "We're thrilled that Today Show's 'Modern Wedding Contest' now recognizes what most fair-minded Americans have already concluded - a wedding celebrates love and commitment, whether the spouses are straight or gay. NBC heard the thousands of viewers who contacted them and they have moved to make their contest a truly modern wedding where any couple can share their story. NBC is living up to its own high standard of fairness and for this, we applaud them."

Jarrett Barrios implies in the quotation above that "fair-minded" Americans have no problem with same-sex unions; for a "wedding celebrates love and commitment, whether the spouses are straight or gay." It is true that marriage is about love and commitment; however that is not all it's about, for it most certainly matters whether the spouses are "straight or gay." Further, it is absurd to suggest that if one is "fair-minded" he or she will, therefore, approve of same-sex unions.

It is the consistent habit of homosexual activists to posit the notion that their behavior is well accepted. Such a propaganda campaign is quite commonly found on the Internet, as well as in the entertainment and media industries. The fact is, however, that a definite minority of Americans appear to meet with the GLAAD definition of "fair-minded." According to a 2009 Pew Research Center survey, only 35 percent of Americans "supported the rights of gays and lesbians to wed."

Further, that written Tradition known as the New Testament confirms the perils involved in same-sex unions. St. Paul spoke forcefully against gravely immoral behavior: "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9-10).

While there are many secularist groups within society who either fail to understand the grave dangers same-sex unions pose, or flatly reject the immorality of the same, Catholics can never condone such behavior. The Church never has and never will.

Contrary to false doctrines, human sexuality is not a chance product of material evolution which is to be used for whatever subjective purpose is desired, but rather is "ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman" in the sacrament of marriage, and is a "physical intimacy of the spouses" which becomes a "sign and pledge of spiritual communion" (see CCC No. 2360). Clearly human sexuality is a profound gift from God that, in the context of marriage, joins the spouses together in unity as man and wife, as one flesh.

As the first book of Sacred Scripture informs us, in the beginning God created man "male and female" and "he blessed them and named them" (Gen 5:2). It was our Savior himself who responded to the questions of the Pharisees with these words: "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate" (Mt 19:4-6).

A man does not become "one flesh" with another man, nor a woman with another woman. Therefore same-sex unions violate what the Creator has established from the beginning as his purpose for marriage.

Vatican II reminds us that "God himself is the author of marriage and has endowed it with various benefits and purposes." Hence marriage, in its "objective" truth, is "ordered to the procreation and education of children" (Guadium et Spes, 48).

Further, "Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity. Physical, moral and spiritual difference and complementarities are oriented towards the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life. The harmony of the couple and of society depends in part on the way in which the complementarities, needs and mutual support between the sexes are lived out" (CCC No. 2333).

The health of society depends on the institution of marriage: that indissoluble bond between man and wife, that "place where communion is brought about" (CSDC No. 221), the fist Church and the domestic Church, where the "Christian family is called therefore 'to be a sign of unity for the world and in this way to exercise its prophetic role by bearing witness to the Kingdom and peace of Christ, towards which the whole world is journeying'" (John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 48).

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F. K. Bartels is a Catholic writer who knows his Catholic faith is one of the greatest gifts a man could ever have. He is managing editor of catholicpathways.com, and is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.

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