Marriage Equality:
The Contradiction between Religion and Values
in Fu Jen Catholic University
The Contradiction between Religion and Values
in Fu Jen Catholic University
words & photo by Matt Tsai
In a sea of posters with slogans of anti-gay marriage and rainbow flags, people of two opposing ideologies groups squared off on the issue of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan recently. Taiwan has been on the way to achieve marriage equality for a long time; however, the interference of advocates for religious and traditional values has led to unexpected turns.
For Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer/Questioning groups ( LGBTQ), the legalization of same-sex marriage has been on their agendas for more than a decade. After the DPP government took office in 2016, LGBTQ groups finally seem to have narrowed the gap to seeing their rights and dignity protected by law.
However, the sensitive issue of marriage equality seems to touch Christians’ bottom line because it offends their religious belief and values of marriage and family.
In order to stop the legalization of marriage equality, anti-gay groups went to Ketagalan Boulevard and protested. They appealed to the government and the general public to respect their family values and to withdraw the act. However, they deployed lies, rumors, and hate speech to accuse LGBTQ people of destroying Taiwanese society.
Unfortunately, their strategies did work somehow. People not familiar with the issue and uncertain about same-sex marriage’s influence, started to hesitate to favor the legalization.
K, student who studies in Fu Jen University, thinks that same-sex marriage seems to be a very sensitive topic. Fu Jen University is a catholic university, which has its own religious views about same-sex marriage.
Four people in Fu Jen University were interviewed, discussing the old and new values of this controversial issue.
As a Christian, student K said that she has been struggling with this issue for a while: “I do have some concerns about the effects of gay marriage. I admit that my religion does affect me a bit. For Christians, the meaning of marriage should be pure and divine, which should be based on the union of a husband and a wife, while same-sex marriage completely breaks this concept of marriage in Christianity. It is really a long-time tradition and religious value. However, for me, I am not sure if gay and lesbian orientations are instinctive or learned. Therefore, I am a bit afraid that if same-sex marriage is legalized, it may affect the next generations.”
K also believes that a child needs to have a father and a mother. According to K, there is something masculine or feminine that a child cannot learn from same-sex parents.K acknowledges that, “I do know the pain that gay people are suffering from now. They are not treated equally. What if I were a lesbian? How should I react or respond to other people’s hate speech?”
She understands that LGBTQ people want more than just marriage: “If I were really a lesbian, I would probably want to get married, too. Not only just because I want to get married, but also because I want to be treated equally.”
She continues, “I understand gay people’s situation, and I believe that God loves every human being equally. That’s why I sometimes feel there is a contradiction.”
“For me, same-sex marriage is a very tricky and tough issue, and it also bothers me due to my religious background,” she said. “But I fully support that everyone should fight for what they want as long as it doesn’t hurt others.”
Staff member J takes Fu Jen University as an example: “Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar—and God what belongs to God.” She has been on the staff of Fu Jen University for decades, and also an advocate of marriage equality.
“My best friend is also gay, and I have known him since senior high school,” she says. When questioned about whether the school’s official stance on same-sex marriage, she replied, “ Actually, the whole school administration system is quite neutral. Fu Jen University makes things pretty clear. Even though it is a Catholic school, the school system will never force students to accept its religious values.”
But, staff member J also pointed out the reason why Fu Jen University is considered an anti-gay school: because it is still a Catholic school, and the Vatican has a certain jurisdiction over it. As a result, because of religion, they have no choice but to take a stand discouraging the support of gay marriage. However, as an educational facility, the school still treats students and staff the same. They don’t judge their sexual orientations.
“But there is a boundary there,” staff member J emphasized. “We don’t talk about marriage equality with other teachers or staff who are also church members. Even though you think and believe marriage equality is the right thing to do, and no one should stop it, you still have to respect these church members’ stands and opinions, because it is their faith. The point is to respect each other. Same as the government. Administration should take care of all different groups, and it cannot be affected by religions only to protect certain people’s values and profits.”
Another Fu Jen student, student J, who is Christian but also gay, encountered many collisions of in his life. He said, “Sometimes when church members are opposed to gay rights, I feel frustrated. I believe God treats every spirit equally, and no one should be harmed because of sexual orientation. We have to know the fact that gay marriage will not deprive anyone of their rights. It just protects a minority group with the guarantee of law.”
Nevertheless, student J confessed that he understood why Fu Jen University doesn’t show its support for same-sex marriage: “because it will offend the long-time traditional and religious values, like the same situations I am facing now.” However, he suggested that people should embrace the things they are not familiar with and respect one another.
For Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer/Questioning groups ( LGBTQ), the legalization of same-sex marriage has been on their agendas for more than a decade. After the DPP government took office in 2016, LGBTQ groups finally seem to have narrowed the gap to seeing their rights and dignity protected by law.
However, the sensitive issue of marriage equality seems to touch Christians’ bottom line because it offends their religious belief and values of marriage and family.
In order to stop the legalization of marriage equality, anti-gay groups went to Ketagalan Boulevard and protested. They appealed to the government and the general public to respect their family values and to withdraw the act. However, they deployed lies, rumors, and hate speech to accuse LGBTQ people of destroying Taiwanese society.
Unfortunately, their strategies did work somehow. People not familiar with the issue and uncertain about same-sex marriage’s influence, started to hesitate to favor the legalization.
K, student who studies in Fu Jen University, thinks that same-sex marriage seems to be a very sensitive topic. Fu Jen University is a catholic university, which has its own religious views about same-sex marriage.
Four people in Fu Jen University were interviewed, discussing the old and new values of this controversial issue.
As a Christian, student K said that she has been struggling with this issue for a while: “I do have some concerns about the effects of gay marriage. I admit that my religion does affect me a bit. For Christians, the meaning of marriage should be pure and divine, which should be based on the union of a husband and a wife, while same-sex marriage completely breaks this concept of marriage in Christianity. It is really a long-time tradition and religious value. However, for me, I am not sure if gay and lesbian orientations are instinctive or learned. Therefore, I am a bit afraid that if same-sex marriage is legalized, it may affect the next generations.”
K also believes that a child needs to have a father and a mother. According to K, there is something masculine or feminine that a child cannot learn from same-sex parents.K acknowledges that, “I do know the pain that gay people are suffering from now. They are not treated equally. What if I were a lesbian? How should I react or respond to other people’s hate speech?”
She understands that LGBTQ people want more than just marriage: “If I were really a lesbian, I would probably want to get married, too. Not only just because I want to get married, but also because I want to be treated equally.”
She continues, “I understand gay people’s situation, and I believe that God loves every human being equally. That’s why I sometimes feel there is a contradiction.”
“For me, same-sex marriage is a very tricky and tough issue, and it also bothers me due to my religious background,” she said. “But I fully support that everyone should fight for what they want as long as it doesn’t hurt others.”
Staff member J takes Fu Jen University as an example: “Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar—and God what belongs to God.” She has been on the staff of Fu Jen University for decades, and also an advocate of marriage equality.
“My best friend is also gay, and I have known him since senior high school,” she says. When questioned about whether the school’s official stance on same-sex marriage, she replied, “ Actually, the whole school administration system is quite neutral. Fu Jen University makes things pretty clear. Even though it is a Catholic school, the school system will never force students to accept its religious values.”
But, staff member J also pointed out the reason why Fu Jen University is considered an anti-gay school: because it is still a Catholic school, and the Vatican has a certain jurisdiction over it. As a result, because of religion, they have no choice but to take a stand discouraging the support of gay marriage. However, as an educational facility, the school still treats students and staff the same. They don’t judge their sexual orientations.
“But there is a boundary there,” staff member J emphasized. “We don’t talk about marriage equality with other teachers or staff who are also church members. Even though you think and believe marriage equality is the right thing to do, and no one should stop it, you still have to respect these church members’ stands and opinions, because it is their faith. The point is to respect each other. Same as the government. Administration should take care of all different groups, and it cannot be affected by religions only to protect certain people’s values and profits.”
Another Fu Jen student, student J, who is Christian but also gay, encountered many collisions of in his life. He said, “Sometimes when church members are opposed to gay rights, I feel frustrated. I believe God treats every spirit equally, and no one should be harmed because of sexual orientation. We have to know the fact that gay marriage will not deprive anyone of their rights. It just protects a minority group with the guarantee of law.”
Nevertheless, student J confessed that he understood why Fu Jen University doesn’t show its support for same-sex marriage: “because it will offend the long-time traditional and religious values, like the same situations I am facing now.” However, he suggested that people should embrace the things they are not familiar with and respect one another.