Despite dramatic social changes in U.S. families over the past few decades -- the sexual revolution, the increased acceptance of inter-racial relationships, and the prevalence of single-parent households -- marriage vows remain the ultimate expression of love and commitment for many Americans. And that's no less true for many of the United States' 6 million openly gay men and women. Same-sex couples across the country -- and around the world -- are campaigning for the right to be legally wed.

For some opponents of same-sex marriage, the traditional idea of marriage just isn't flexible enough to accommodate same-sex couples. CitizenLink, an organization for family policy, asserted, "Marriage, defined by one man and one woman, has been the foundation of civilization for thousands of years. Any attempt to alter that definition is an effort to undermine the most fundamental building block of every society: the family unit."

But others wonder why same-sex marriage is perceived as a threat to heterosexual coupledom. Jeff Jacoby wrote in the Jewish World Review that people worry "that unyoking marriage from its traditional male-female definition will destroy or severely weaken it. But this is an empirical proposition, and there is reason to doubt it. Opponents of same-sex marriage have done a poor job of explaining why the health of heterosexual marriage depends on the exclusion of a small number of homosexuals."

The religious implications of same-sex marriage are compelling for some. According to a report on marriage by the Catholic University of America, the tenets of four major world religions -- Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism -- teach that homosexual behavior is sinful or wrong. On the other hand, Marvin Olasky wrote in an editorial on the web site Townhall.com, "Heterosexual adultery creates more havoc in America than homosexuality does, yet ministers and rabbis all too often make their peace with this No. 1 culprit."

As a sign that America may be ready for same-sex marriage, the news of gay unions is published in approximately 70 American newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, popular opinion in most parts of the country still seems to weigh in against same-sex marriage, as evidenced by the passage of "Defense of Marriage Acts" (DOMA) in 35 states. In an Associated Press poll conducted in 2000, 59 percent of those polled who felt that gays are "born," said same-sex marriage should be allowed. However, 69 percent of respondents who believe gays choose their orientation said same-sex marriage should be prohibited.

Think you know where you stand on this issue? During the course of this activity, we will ask you four more times: Should same-sex marriages be legal in the United States? Based on your responses, we will argue the opposite points of view. Only your final vote will count toward the results of this poll.