Secure Outcomes

Insecurity is very prevalent in both gay marriage and the debate over education. This insecurity stems from the discrepancy between state and federal laws, similar to the issue over the use of medical marijuana. This unsure outcome has created a lot of insecurity especially to gay marriage. I think that the best outcome to create security is to make the state laws in congruence with the federal laws. This is different from the outcome that I think would be equitable because this outcome leaves a lot of people unhappy and unheard.

Efficency

Efficiency is all about getting something done the fastest with the least amount of energy. I think it would be simple to find efficient outcomes to gay marriage and science curriculum's. Holding votes would be the most efficient. However, I do think that allowing people to interpret the law and what defines progress is a bit backwards. If during the civil rights era we held elections to decide whether or not to integrate schools, it wouldn't have happened or at least take much longer. I think it is necessary to push society in a positive direction sometimes.

Equitable Outcomes

It is difficult to think of equitable outcomes for the influence of religion because while the vast majority of both sides would agree with the separation of church and state as defined by the United States Constitution, while not specifically stated in those words. Both sides disagree in the definition of separation and that is when disagreements and issues of policy are debated. It is the realities of those different interpretations that cause the debate over pertinent issues like gay marriage and what is written in textbooks. I think there is a difference between what is justified and fair and what is an equitable outcome. What I would see as an equitable outcome would be to compromise on the issue. I think this isn't fair because I don't think there is an actual argument against gay marriage besides that the bible says that it is immoral. A compromise in regards to gay rights in my opinion would not be a merit based solution, but more a democratically decided one; however, both sides would make progress in defining what they want and get closer to finding common ground. I think a compromise to the gay marriage debate would be to allow the states to decide for themselves whether or not they want to allow gay marriage. In regard to the science curriculum in public schools, I think things should remain the way they are. Leave it up to the states to decide what they want to teach their kids, within reason. Abstinence only education is also an issue that is morally deeply rooted in religion, and it is a type of education in public schools. In regards to this issue there is a direct negative effect on those who subscribe to these beliefs and especially those who do not. Abstinence only education leads to greater pregnancies because (for some reason) it doesn't effectively convince kids to wait till marriage to have sex. "Abstinence Only Education" needs to be "Abstinence Supplemental Education" because it can have very detremental effects on the lives of teenagers. These aren't easy issues to figure out equitable outcomes for, but these are outcomes that would be progressive and acceptable to both sides.

Project Idea

Despite a constitutional separation of church and state religion plays a major role in the way the United States is run. Religion influences important topics of discussion like abortion, gay marriage, sex ed., and the way science is taught in public schools. I chose this topic because I want to know more facts on the topic, and feel that some arguments used in this issue are irrational. 

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