Gay Marriage By Moodles Moodal Analysis

Register to read the introduction… Ethos, the appeal to credibility, helps to establish a writer and give their audience a sense of security in what they are about to engage themselves in. In the article, Moody uses ethos to appeal to his audience and prove that he is worthy of making the claims set forth regarding his position on gay marriage. He states, “Having been nurtured in the Christian faith from childhood and having served a lifetime as an ordained Baptist minister, I feel obligated first to address the religious controversy concerning the nature of marriage” (Moody 146). Understandably, Moody has the skills and training necessary to be a valid source on the subject of gay marriage. As a minister, one is granted the privilege to have the authority on marriage. Moody feels that even though he is part of the church there is still an issue concerning the right of gay marriage and who will make the decision to allow it or not. Further establishing his clout on the marriage forefront, Moody reminds his audience, “The church I served had a number of gay and lesbian couples who had been together for many years, but none of them had asked for public weddings or blessing on their relationship” (Moody 147). In this instance it is clear that Moody not only officiates over his church but has plenty of experience with the gay community. It seems that regardless of the love two people have for each other, when it comes to same sex marriage, no one even ventures to ask when joined in the religious community. Blessing or not, a couples love for each other does not change. However, at a state level love has nothing to do with …show more content…
Throughout the article, the author uses the technique of definition to clearly state both cases, the view of the state versus the view of the church in matters of marriage, and provide a mutual understanding of both. He begins by defining for his audience the states view on marriage. He says of marriage, “[It is] a social and voluntary contract between a man and woman in order to protect money, property and children. Marriage is a civil union without the benefit of clergy or religious definition” (Moody 148). The state based definition does not nessicarily care why people are getting married but rather secures their futures in a civil or rather financial term. When defining how the church sees marriage, the author states plainly and to the point that, “marriage is a sacred institution” (Moody 148). People are expected to follow the rules of the church, moreover, the rules established when taking “sacred” marriage vows….i.e.: till death do us part. According to the church, marriage is about a love two people share. From a church standpoint it is hard to believe a couple of the same sex could possibly feel the love a man and a woman share. Never in wedding vows is it mentioned that because two people are joined in holy matrimony that now they are allowed to have joint checking accounts or adopt children as a family. Moody, by definition, believes that while love does play a role in marriage, legally marriage is about a joining of two people lives, including issues that require legal clarification according to the state. By the states definition, it seems that gay marriage does not pose a threat to society. Two people can marry and legally own property regardless of same sex where as in the church gay marriage is