Why can't multiple men and women get married? Why can't three male cousins get married? Why can't two brothers get married? Why can't two brothers marry their parents if the mother is sterilized? Why discriminate against people who love each other?!?!
If you are a supporter of gay marriage, please tell me why we should not allow all of the above examples?
Why can't people have sex in public? Why can't people walk around naked in the streets? Why can't people do lots of things?
OH, because someone finds them immoral!!!! So there is morality in the law!
This country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. "We are endowed by our CREATOR"!!! We placed our hands on the BIBLE in court!!! We have "IN GOD WE TRUST" printed on our currency! QUIT MAKING THIS A PURELY SECULAR SOCIETY!
Jo - 12 years ago
"Your faith may not allow same-sex marriage, and your Church will never be required to sanctify a marriage that does not meet with its approval" --- BWHAHAHAHAHA You really believe this!?! You really think that once it's legalized that the activists won't be coming after the churches? Please! They will be claiming hate speech and discrimination once this is legalized!
Tom- great points!
lawrence clark - 12 years ago
God made Adam&Eve not Adam&Steve
KJ - 12 years ago
It's morally wrong to put the rights of a minority to a popular vote. A minority by definition is a small segment of society, with less political power than the majority.
Would women have gotten the right to vote via a popular vote? Would segregation have ended by a popular vote? What about mixed race marriage?
Allowing gay couples the option of secular marriage, with the attendant legal benefits like the ability to inherit from each other, pay the married tax rate, be each others next of kin, be able to visit each other in hospital, adopt each other's children at marriage, have family discounts and be able to put their partner on their insurance plan in no way hurts married heterosexuals.
The only way I see for homosexual marriage to somehow hurt heterosexual marriage is if the heterosexual couples only value their unions based on the exclusion of homosexuals from the secular legal rights. That is a problem in those unions, and not something another couple can eally influence or fix.
Further, the government cannot force any religious institution to solemnize unions against their beliefs. Thats the beauty of separation of church and state; the government can't enter the church house. However, by not recognizing homosexual unions solemnized in the churches that allow the practice, the government is discriminating against those religions.
The whole thing is just plain unfair.
James - 12 years ago
Re: Michael, well for each member of that 3% of the population there is a network of mostly hetero family and friends who care about the well-being of their loved one, and have realized that that person's right to marry another consenting adult will not change their own marriages or families one iota. Maybe that is why homosexuals have such a loud voice.
dave wilson - 12 years ago
God did not define marriage for everyone, just for Christians. Christians do not get to define the secular laws of this country, based solely on the Bible. Most fundamentalist Christians complain about Muslim states that have Sharia law; that is, a system of laws based on the Quaran. You can't chastise one country for basing their laws on their most holy book, then expect our country to do exactly that.
The fact is MANY christian congregations already solemnize same-sex marriages. In the eyes of those churches, those couples are married. The Reform Jewish congregation also solemnizes marriages for same-sex Jewish couples. If your argument is that marriages performed by religious organizations should be recognized, then you can't pick and choose; you either respect the marriages performed by EVERY religion, or none.
In any case, this issue is about CIVIL marriage, which is a legal status, not a religious one. No-one has EVER suggested a church congregation be forced to solemnize a marriage that is contrary to their beliefs. And same-sex couples have PLENTY of Christian, Jewish and other denomination congregations they can join that will perform these ceremonies.
Our laws cannot be just about what fundamentalist Christians want.
D Tyrell - 12 years ago
Thank you for your service in the Armed Forces but the right you defend are not rights you get to choose.
Thank you 14 year old girl for expressing your opinion or is that the opinion of your Legal Guardian.
There is a major difference between Civil Union and Marriage as defined by the States. The legal differences are major and if those that are against Same Sex Marriage would just realize that, then you would understand why.
This is nothing about religion. Religious Organizations can still practice what they wish.
Many Countries around the World have accepted Same Sex Marriages, some of those countries have been considered the foundations of modern society.
Just remember that most likely there is someone in your family or in your circle of friends that is gay and your anti-marriage opinions are only making them feel like a second class citizen. Some of those Friends and Family are teenagers that feel like outcast. This isn't the environment anyone would want their children to grow up in. Stop the Hate!
RW Lawinger - 12 years ago
If two people are in love, and want to get married, why does it bother other people? I am a believer in God. But I would not want to say I know what he does or does not want. I do recall hearing an awful lot of "were there is love, there too am I". "Judge Not the measure of your neighboor, for the same measure will be granted to you" etc etc... WHY all this anger over two people who love each other? To all the poeple who love each other and want to get married..... you don't need my blessing or support, but you have it always! Faith Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE. Faar be it from me to stand in the way love. Peace.
Hugh Silcox - 12 years ago
CIVIL MARRIAGE (which is what is under discussion) was -- and continues to be -- defined by the State. CIVIL MARRIAGE is not granted by the Church, just as CIVIL DIVORCE is not granted by the Church. Your faith may not allow same-sex marriage, and your Church will never be required to sanctify a marriage that does not meet with its approval, but your religious beliefs are entirely irrelevant to this discussion. Marriages are recognized every day without a religious component.
SK Feeney - 12 years ago
Marriage was defined by God.
The 14-year old who testified was right--no legislative body has the right to change the definition of a word. And when they mess with definitions of terms, any terms, they sow confusion. When nothing means what it says, look out!!!!!!
If these couples want legal sanctions on their same-sex unions, and the legislature is so inclined, make it "civil union." The word "marriage" has already been taken.
Michael - 12 years ago
It is sad that 3% of the population is driving this. What about the other 97% that are not homosexual, shouldn't they have a louder voice. Spineless politicians compromise their beliefs and show no courage what so ever to this minuscule section of our population.
tom - 12 years ago
the basis of society is the family. to assure the continuance of society, the institution of marriage is formed; to raise children in a stable foundation. homosexual couples cannot reproduce by nature. in the simplest form, it goes against human nature to encourage such relationships at the expense of societal norms. homosexual marriage goes against religious beliefs, and by mislabeling marriage rights, the rights of individuals to believe in traditional marriage violates the constitution. tolerance is not acceptance, saying it is natural doesn't make it so.
Diane Byram - 12 years ago
Marriage is one Man & one Woman. That is what God intended.
I spent nearly 20 years in the US Navy defending the rights of the American people, but I now see the moral fabric of our country being dissolved by the phrase: "It's our right". I do not believe everything cam be justified by shouting RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS. This country's moral compass is seriously askew and needs to be reset.
Why can't multiple men and women get married? Why can't three male cousins get married? Why can't two brothers get married? Why can't two brothers marry their parents if the mother is sterilized? Why discriminate against people who love each other?!?!
If you are a supporter of gay marriage, please tell me why we should not allow all of the above examples?
Why can't people have sex in public? Why can't people walk around naked in the streets? Why can't people do lots of things?
OH, because someone finds them immoral!!!! So there is morality in the law!
This country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. "We are endowed by our CREATOR"!!! We placed our hands on the BIBLE in court!!! We have "IN GOD WE TRUST" printed on our currency! QUIT MAKING THIS A PURELY SECULAR SOCIETY!
"Your faith may not allow same-sex marriage, and your Church will never be required to sanctify a marriage that does not meet with its approval" --- BWHAHAHAHAHA You really believe this!?! You really think that once it's legalized that the activists won't be coming after the churches? Please! They will be claiming hate speech and discrimination once this is legalized!
Tom- great points!
God made Adam&Eve not Adam&Steve
It's morally wrong to put the rights of a minority to a popular vote. A minority by definition is a small segment of society, with less political power than the majority.
Would women have gotten the right to vote via a popular vote? Would segregation have ended by a popular vote? What about mixed race marriage?
Allowing gay couples the option of secular marriage, with the attendant legal benefits like the ability to inherit from each other, pay the married tax rate, be each others next of kin, be able to visit each other in hospital, adopt each other's children at marriage, have family discounts and be able to put their partner on their insurance plan in no way hurts married heterosexuals.
The only way I see for homosexual marriage to somehow hurt heterosexual marriage is if the heterosexual couples only value their unions based on the exclusion of homosexuals from the secular legal rights. That is a problem in those unions, and not something another couple can eally influence or fix.
Further, the government cannot force any religious institution to solemnize unions against their beliefs. Thats the beauty of separation of church and state; the government can't enter the church house. However, by not recognizing homosexual unions solemnized in the churches that allow the practice, the government is discriminating against those religions.
The whole thing is just plain unfair.
Re: Michael, well for each member of that 3% of the population there is a network of mostly hetero family and friends who care about the well-being of their loved one, and have realized that that person's right to marry another consenting adult will not change their own marriages or families one iota. Maybe that is why homosexuals have such a loud voice.
God did not define marriage for everyone, just for Christians. Christians do not get to define the secular laws of this country, based solely on the Bible. Most fundamentalist Christians complain about Muslim states that have Sharia law; that is, a system of laws based on the Quaran. You can't chastise one country for basing their laws on their most holy book, then expect our country to do exactly that.
The fact is MANY christian congregations already solemnize same-sex marriages. In the eyes of those churches, those couples are married. The Reform Jewish congregation also solemnizes marriages for same-sex Jewish couples. If your argument is that marriages performed by religious organizations should be recognized, then you can't pick and choose; you either respect the marriages performed by EVERY religion, or none.
In any case, this issue is about CIVIL marriage, which is a legal status, not a religious one. No-one has EVER suggested a church congregation be forced to solemnize a marriage that is contrary to their beliefs. And same-sex couples have PLENTY of Christian, Jewish and other denomination congregations they can join that will perform these ceremonies.
Our laws cannot be just about what fundamentalist Christians want.
Thank you for your service in the Armed Forces but the right you defend are not rights you get to choose.
Thank you 14 year old girl for expressing your opinion or is that the opinion of your Legal Guardian.
There is a major difference between Civil Union and Marriage as defined by the States. The legal differences are major and if those that are against Same Sex Marriage would just realize that, then you would understand why.
This is nothing about religion. Religious Organizations can still practice what they wish.
Many Countries around the World have accepted Same Sex Marriages, some of those countries have been considered the foundations of modern society.
Just remember that most likely there is someone in your family or in your circle of friends that is gay and your anti-marriage opinions are only making them feel like a second class citizen. Some of those Friends and Family are teenagers that feel like outcast. This isn't the environment anyone would want their children to grow up in. Stop the Hate!
If two people are in love, and want to get married, why does it bother other people? I am a believer in God. But I would not want to say I know what he does or does not want. I do recall hearing an awful lot of "were there is love, there too am I". "Judge Not the measure of your neighboor, for the same measure will be granted to you" etc etc... WHY all this anger over two people who love each other? To all the poeple who love each other and want to get married..... you don't need my blessing or support, but you have it always! Faith Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE. Faar be it from me to stand in the way love. Peace.
CIVIL MARRIAGE (which is what is under discussion) was -- and continues to be -- defined by the State. CIVIL MARRIAGE is not granted by the Church, just as CIVIL DIVORCE is not granted by the Church. Your faith may not allow same-sex marriage, and your Church will never be required to sanctify a marriage that does not meet with its approval, but your religious beliefs are entirely irrelevant to this discussion. Marriages are recognized every day without a religious component.
Marriage was defined by God.
The 14-year old who testified was right--no legislative body has the right to change the definition of a word. And when they mess with definitions of terms, any terms, they sow confusion. When nothing means what it says, look out!!!!!!
If these couples want legal sanctions on their same-sex unions, and the legislature is so inclined, make it "civil union." The word "marriage" has already been taken.
It is sad that 3% of the population is driving this. What about the other 97% that are not homosexual, shouldn't they have a louder voice. Spineless politicians compromise their beliefs and show no courage what so ever to this minuscule section of our population.
the basis of society is the family. to assure the continuance of society, the institution of marriage is formed; to raise children in a stable foundation. homosexual couples cannot reproduce by nature. in the simplest form, it goes against human nature to encourage such relationships at the expense of societal norms. homosexual marriage goes against religious beliefs, and by mislabeling marriage rights, the rights of individuals to believe in traditional marriage violates the constitution. tolerance is not acceptance, saying it is natural doesn't make it so.
Marriage is one Man & one Woman. That is what God intended.
I spent nearly 20 years in the US Navy defending the rights of the American people, but I now see the moral fabric of our country being dissolved by the phrase: "It's our right". I do not believe everything cam be justified by shouting RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS. This country's moral compass is seriously askew and needs to be reset.