Abstract
This essay addresses the question of whether civil unions should be allowed for same-sex couples. The essay answers the question through the reasoning of "natural law," a theory based on reality rather than the laws of man and discusses Aristotle's view of natural law. The paper explores the current status of same sex unions in America and includes a map that shows "Same Sex Marriage Laws by State." The essay finds that since civil unions abide with natural law, civil unions should be allowed for same-sex couples. Further, it argues the benefits individuals receive from civil unions outweighs the arguments against same-sex unions.

From the Paper
"Allowing gays to be bound to one another or not allowing them to be bound to one another is a social issue that is definitely one of the most relevant of any social issue with people today. Despite those who seem strongly opposed to civil unions 52 percent of voters who were polled by CBS indicated that they would actually consider voting for a presidential candidate who they liked even if he did not share their specific views on civil unions (Poll, 2004). This has become increasingly important during this critical election year. Those who are opposed to civil unions are less willing to vote in this way than those who believe in civil unions, which seems that it would be expected (Poll, 2004).

Tags:civil union, natural law, human law, gay rights

Abstract
This paper discusses how although gay unions have been a reality for centuries, the American debate regarding gay marriage is a modern invention and how there are several factors that play into the likelihood that civil unions between gay couples are far more likely to be accepted nationally, then gay marriage. The paper examines how although the majority of Americans are against gay marriage, a majority of Americans do actually favor gay civil unions and this number is increasing. Given the fact that there is no specific constitutional right to marry, it is unlikely that a federal law allowing gay marriage will occur. However, with increasing public support, civil unions may become an option for many states. This paper contains figures.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Historical Background on the Gay Marriage Debate
Public Opinion of Gay Marriage
Public Opinion of Civil Unions
The Constitutional Right to Privacy and Gay Marriage
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Although gay unions have been a reality for centuries, the American debate regarding gay marriage is a modern invention. There are several factors that play into the likelihood that civil unions between gay couples are far more likely to be accepted nationally, then gay marriage. The majority of Americans are against gay marriage. This has been a steady figure for several years and does not appear to be changing in the near future. An aging American population adds to this unlikelihood. Interestingly thought, a majority of Americans do favor gay civil unions and this number is increasing. Given the fact that there is no specific constitutional right to marry, it is unlikely that a federal law allowing gay marriage will occur. However, with increasing public support, civil unions may become an option for many states."

Tags:homosexual, lesbian, church

Abstract
This paper explains that the New Jersey civil union act upholds the directions of the Supreme Court of New Jersey in Lewis v. Harris, 188 N.J. 415 by providing all the benefits and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples through civil unions and by establishing the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission. Next, the author presents the criterion by which two people can establish a civil union under this act. The paper stresses the author's positive support of this legislation because he feels that this law gives this group of individuals the benefits they deserve and insure equality under the laws for all New Jersey citizens.

From the Paper
"Family relationships are such an important part of our society today that promoting the family unit can only be positive. Those couples that are same sex have for many years been under the scrutiny of some many people and things that it made it very hard for them to establish a family unit and live their lives in peace. The right to be able to do this is so important especially to those couples that wish to start families. Not having to deal with the hassles and problems that come along with being a member of a same sex partnership is one less burden that these people have to endure. "

Tags:license, property ownership, recognition equalities persecutions

Abstract
This paper examines how there are abundant reasons, taking in the disciplines of anthropology, religion, law, and the social contract, to consider same-sex marriage an impossible path for humanity to tread. It looks at how there is another solution to same-sex marriage, the legalization of same-sex 'civil unions', which would accord many of the same legal benefits as marriage.

Outline
Biological Imperatives
Civil Rights
Social Conscience
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The fact that Vermont has already created civil union, and if the intention to change the social fabric of the country or, more ridiculously, create reality by fiat-were not apparently a large portion of the intention of those arguing for same sex marriage, as opposed to a civil union, then the matter would be easily solved. In fact, John Kerry's solution, which obviously appealed to the voters and legislators of Vermont "a notoriously common-sense sort of state" also appealed across the border in Canada. The Ontario Court of Appeals, on June 10, 2003, confirmed that Canadian marriage law violated the equality rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it failed to include non-heterosexual couples."

Tags:lesbians, gays, kerry, vermont, democracy, freedom

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that both sides fought hard in the Civil War and claims that the Union victory was far from being a foregone conclusion. The writer notes that both the North and South boasted military prowess but for different reasons. The writer looks at the two sides of the North and the South and examines their various successes and failures throughout the war. The writer concludes that the turning point of the war at the Battle of Gettysburg proved that in spite of its initially tenuous leadership personnel, Union army generals like Ulysses S. Grant had what it took to capitalize on the North's many advantages to ensure victory.

From the Paper
"The South, however, failed to solidify a victory for several key reasons. First, the South could have ushered support from Europe. As a major trading partner to both England and France, the Confederacy might have been able to use economic incentives to persuade British and French political and financial, if not military assistance. Although slavery had been abolished in Europe, the War of Secession was originally not framed as a battle for emancipation so European diplomatic support would not have suggested a conflict of interest. However, the South did not capitalize fully on its ability to woo the Continent."
"Another major reason for the South's eventual defeat was the very culture it wished to preserve: the plantation economy. The agricultural-based economy might have endeared the South to Europe, to which it traded a sufficient supply of cotton. However, agriculture failed to provide the Confederacy with the industrial strength it needed to win."

Tags:Union, triumph, Lincoln, military

Abstract
This paper considers the reasons that both the Union and Confederate soldiers fought the Civil War. It also analyzes which line of reasoning is most persuasive. The author concludes that the Union's decision to preserve the federal power is the more compelling reason.

From the Paper
"In the course of American history no conflict threatened the very foundation of the country in the same way that the Civil War did. This bloody tumultuous battle pitted brother against brother and lead to over a half million casualties. There were many complex ..."

Tags:civil war, union, confederacy, states' rights

Abstract
The paper relates that the Civil War was most tumultuous war ever fought on American soil, and saw more casualties than any other war involving Americans. The paper explains that the origins of such a vast conflict might accordingly be expected to be complex and multifarious; they go back to the very foundation of the Union, with the Constitution of 1787. The thesis of this paper is that the Civil War was the outcome of a series of problematic and ultimately futile "compromises" which culminated in the breakdown of national consensus in the election of 1860.

From the Paper
"The American Civil War (War of Southern Secession) was the bloodiest and most tumultuous war ever fought on American soil, and saw more casualties than any other war involving Americans, including World War II. The origins of such a vast conflict might accordingly be expected to be complex and multifarious. In fact this is the case, and in addition, it is also to be found that the origins of the Civil War go back to the very foundation of the Union, with the Constitution of 1787. In the short space available this paper will discuss only some of the most critical causes that lay behind the War. These will serve as supporting evidence for our..."

Tags:civil war, southern secession, origins

Abstract
According to the paper, despite the passage of nearly a century-and-a-half, the Civil War still has a lingering effect on today's American society. The paper discusses how this terrible conflict has impacted American politics, culture, economics and social values in many ways, but asserts that the political effects of the Union victory over the rebelling Confederacy have been perhaps the most important, for had the South won the Civil War, the existence of two rival countries at the center of the North American continent would have greatly altered future political, economic, cultural, and social developments.

From the Paper
"Despite the passage of nearly a century-and-a-half, the Civil War still has a lingering effect on today's American society. This terrible conflict has impacted American politics, culture, economics and social values in many ways, but the political effects of the Union victory over the rebelling Confederacy have been perhaps the most important, for had the South won the Civil War, the existence of two rival countries at the center of the North American continent would have greatly altered future..."

Tags:civil, war, impact

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the differences between the North and the South before the Civil War broke out. The writer then looks at the effects of the Civil War, concentrating on the lives of those in the South. The writer discusses that the different economic systems in the two regions influenced political, social, and cultural developments in the North and South and combined to trigger the epic struggle between the Union and the Confederacy that left hundreds of thousands dead, the South devastated, and American life changed forever.

From the Paper
"In the decades before the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 the North and South grew apart in a number of ways. Throughout the first half of the nineteenth-century, agricultural development in the South grew ever more dependent upon the forced labor of millions of plantation slaves, while the North became steadily industrialized. The different economic systems in the two regions ..."

Tags:civil, war, south

Abstract
This paper briefly compares and discusses the advantages and disadvantages that the North and South had over each other in the Civil War. It also examines why, despite its numerous advantages, the American South lost to the North during the War.

From the Paper
"The outcome of the American Civil War was influenced by many factors. The Union and Confederacy both possessed several advantages and disadvantages that contributed to the northern victory and southern loss of the war. The South's united front and their formidable military advantage helped the Confederacy to withstand the Civil War, but these advantages were eventually overshadowed by the North's abundance of resources and the South's reluctance to support a strong central government, which ultimately led to the Union victory."

Tags:american, civil, confederacy, confederate, democratic, lincoln, party, union, war