Same-sex marriage is a debated topic throughout the Church, as well as the state. There are two different sides surrounding this debate; one part deals with a religious vision and the other deals with the State (Constitution). In the United States, laws affecting marriage are ratified by each state, not by the federal government as a whole. However, marriage is viewed differently through the eyes of religion. Each religion has its own views on same-sex marriage. For example, the Roman Catholic Church undeniably opposes same-sex marriage; Pope Francis said: “Marriage is between a man and a woman.” Yet he goes on to say, “We must look at different cases and evaluate them in their variety” (Burke). The Church does not condone same-sex marriage under any circumstances, however Pope Francis does not say that people who contribute to this lifestyle will go to hell. The answer to this debate is to legalize same-sex marriage under the Constitution, but not to accept it from the Roman Catholic Church. In other words, the government should legalize same-sex marriage, since there is no religious purpose or affiliation, but the Church should remain against it, as it has always been. The first laws passed allowed same-sex couples to marry marriage began in the early 21st century. The first US state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts. After a ruling in a case called Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Constitution ruled that allowing only opposite-sex couples to marry was unconstitutional. In 1970 another sharp case occurred called Baker v. Nelson. In this particular incident, two University of Minnesota students, Richard John Baker and James Michael Mc...... center of paper......Questia School. 2 Print. 2014."Timeline of Gay Marriage - Gay Marriage - ProCon.org." ProConorg Securities. Np, September 18, 2013. Web. March 18, 2014Martin, Dale B., eds. Authorize marriage? : Canon, tradition and criticism in the blessing of same-sex unions. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2006. Questiona School. Press. February 2, 2014.Ritchie, John. “10 Reasons Why Same-Sex “Marriage” Is Harmful and Must Be Opposed.” TFP student action. np and nd Web. May 14, 2013. “Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?” ProCon headlines on gay marriage. Np, nd Web. 05 Apr. 2014. “US Bishops Urge National Catholic Support for Federal Marriage Amendment.” Catholic News Agency. NP, April 4. 2006. Web. March 24, 2014. Wardle, Lynn D. “The movement to replace generic intimate adult “relationships” with “marriage.” Marriage and same-sex partnerships: a debate. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. 195. Print.