Wasn't it Pres Clinton who signed the bill saying a marriage is between a man and a woman? This all comes down to MONEY folks...........don't kid yourself.

Is marriage a Constitutionally protected right? ...or is it a sanction by the Church? I know that the Justice of the Peace now performs marriages but there is NO way a church should be forced to marry two queers. It would be unconstitutional for the government to force churches to perform these marriages. Remember, separation of church and state. Mmm Hmm, yep, you guys wanted it, well, sometimes it can bite you in the ****** as well.

Quote:It would be unconstitutional for the government to force churches to perform these marriages. Remember, separation of church and state.

Right, it WOULD be unconstitutional to force a church to marry two homosexauls. But, what we're looking at here is the LEGAL perspective. First and foremost, precedent was set in 1967, when the Supreme Court overturned all state bans on interracial marriage, declaring that the "freedom to marry" belongs to all Americans. Given, that's interracial marriages, but it still works.


Being married and having the bond recognized by the state is different than having it recognized by any church (in like, sacramental circumstances). The church, any church, has their own beliefs and determines who they'll recognize. I could go get married (ok, not for a year and a half, but still) to a Baptist ...and my church (I'm Catholic) won't recognize our marriage, as a sacrament. BUT, the state does. No one's saying these people have to be wed in a church. Some people don't consider marriage a religious thing - I, for one, will not.

You can think what they do is morally wrong, disgusting and whatever else. You can chose not to accept their lifestyle. It's not really a question of whether or not you like them and/or agree with them. They're human beings. They're not second to any heterosexual and they should be able to marry.

Very nicely done.

Thank you, Lauren.

Homosexual Marriage = SIN

Do they have the right? Yes. Is it right? No.

Quote:Homosexual Marriage = SIN

I bet you, me and every other person in this world sinned today. I'm practically sure of it, really.

But guess what? What says it's a sin? The Bible does, yes, but ...last time I checked, this country was not governed using the Bible.

This country is one where ALL men are created equal. Nowhere does it say all heterosexual men.

Quote: Do they have the right? Yes. Is it right? No.

Right or not, in saying they have the right - then why can't it be legal?

I AGREE. If every sin made were punished, there would be a lot of punishments handed out. I just want to point out how odd it is that many priests are gay and have sinned when it comes to choir boys.

I'm not religious at all, so i don't care if i sin, but i'm not trying to say that because priests sin, sinning is ok for religious people.

If we sin, and we're Christians, we repent. They would actually have to ask for forgiveness for being gay. Do you think this would EVER happen? Hell no because they don't think it's wrong, which is the reason a Church should NOT be forced to marry two fairies. We all sin, and if we are following the teachings, repent. This is an issue that would have them living IN sin with no chance of them ever changing.

If they want a some state-sponsored union...fine. Marriage, not no, but hell no. ...that is, unless the government gets into the business of marriage....which isn't in MY constitution. Marriage isn't defined anywhere IN the Constitution. it was always a Church issue. Again, you hypocrites have to remember, blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine, separation of church and state. It's an abomination to God.

Don't desecrate the sanctity of marriage with your politically correct bullshiznit. Make up your own damn term.

If marriage is a church matter, why does the government care about marital status in tax concerns. Church and state are seperate. I don't see a connection. Unless, marriage isn't strictly a church matter. Similarly, why are there laws against bigamy if it isn't a governmental issue?

let me also ask this, is this about benefits, etc. given to married couples? Or an attempt at a smack in the face of Christians? Benefits, I am all for given that they go through some kind of STATE commitment....remember, my damn girlfriend can't get benefits from L-3 from me and we've been with each other 4.5 years. However, if it's an attempt at a "Screw you", then I am ALL opposed. I also will not EVER attend a church that falls into this PC BS and sanctions gay marriage. There is no half-truth. You can't interpret the Bible one way, and forget about the rest. If you are a Christian, you are a Christian and it states CLEARLY that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination.

cant_think_of_a_witty_name Wrote:If marriage is a church matter, why does the government care about marital status in tax concerns. Church and state are seperate. I don't see a connection. Unless, marriage isn't strictly a church matter. Similarly, why are there laws against bigamy if it isn't a governmental issue?

Well, now you're delving into another issue. I am also opposed to an income tax. Do you wish to continue?

Quote:If we sin, and we're Christians, we repent. They would actually have to ask for forgiveness for being gay. Do you think this would EVER happen? Hell no because they don't think it's wrong, which is the reason a Church should NOT be forced to marry two fairies. We all sin, and if we are following the teachings, repent. This is an issue that would have them living IN sin with no chance of them ever changing.

While you are correct in why we are all forgiven for our sins, let us remember still that not everyone is religious. The church is NOT being forced into anything. They can legalize gay marriages and a church NEVER has to perform a wedding of two men or two women. Like I've said, you may think it's wrong, but who's to say what's wrong and right?

Quote:If they want a some state-sponsored union...fine. Marriage, not no, but hell no. ...that is, unless the government gets into the business of marriage....which isn't in MY constitution. Marriage isn't defined anywhere IN the Constitution. it was always a Church issue. Don't desecrate the sanctity of marriage with your politically correct bullshiznit. Make up your own damn term.

This is what some people are suggesting - to consider all LEGAL aspects of marriage - heterosexual or homosexual - as unions. When you're MARRIED, you sign the marriage license for no other reason than having it legalized and recognized by the state. I don't really care if the word MARRIAGE is "traditionally" a church word or a word putting a man and a woman together. Traditions can be broken - and in this case, I think they should.

And really, if it's all about how people construe a word, then what really is the deal?

I don't particularly care what your stance on taxes may be. I was just showing you that "marriage" isn't strictly a religious term.

IU_lauren3 Wrote:

While you are correct in why we are all forgiven for our sins, let us remember still that not everyone is religious.

Yeah, God will understand that. Again, when did the government get into marriage?

Quote:This is what some people are suggesting - to consider all LEGAL aspects of marriage - heterosexual or homosexual - as unions. When you're MARRIED, you sign the marriage license for no other reason than having it legalized and recognized by the state. I don't really care if the word MARRIAGE is "traditionally" a church word or a word putting a man and a woman together. Traditions can be broken - and in this case, I think they should.

And really, if it's all about how people construe a word, then what really is the deal?

Again, if the state wants to see them as "Unionized" for the benefit of benefits, ....fine. Marriage is a religious union though.

Quote: You can't interpret the Bible one way, and forget about the rest. If you are a Christian, you are a Christian and it states CLEARLY that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination.

I respect your right to whatever religion you wish to be apart of. I respect your right to consider homosexuality as a sin for as long as you live.

But this isn't a religious based country. We're not all Christians. We don't all believe it's a sin. Religion cannot be brought into the discussion as to why it should or should not be legal. We can't cater to what the Bible says on this issue. We just can't.

Does anyone know, just for my own curiosity, how the religions break down in the country? Like, how many Christians there are and such?

cant_think_of_a_witty_name Wrote:I don't particularly care what your stance on taxes may be. I was just showing you that "marriage" isn't strictly a religious term.

The "Boiling the Frog" method. The government was never supposed to be in this BS.....our personal lives. It happened incrementally and we never noticed. There should be NO marriage penalty, etc., much less a damn income tax. It should be a consumption tax....then we're not having this discussion. The government can't MAKE companies give benefits to spouses, etc., so that would be an issue one would have to take up with his/her/it's employee.

Quote:However, if it's an attempt at a "Screw you", then I am ALL opposed.

I seriously doubt homosexual marriages were thought up in a great conspiracy against Christians.

IU_lauren3 Wrote:

Quote: You can't interpret the Bible one way, and forget about the rest. If you are a Christian, you are a Christian and it states CLEARLY that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination.

I respect your right to whatever religion you wish to be apart of. I respect your right to consider homosexuality as a sin for as long as you live.

But this isn't a religious based country. We're not all Christians. We don't all believe it's a sin. Religion cannot be brought into the discussion as to why it should or should not be legal. We can't cater to what the Bible says on this issue. We just can't.

Does anyone know, just for my own curiosity, how the religions break down in the country? Like, how many Christians there are and such?

Sweetheart, the LAST thing I EVER want to see is this country ran by the "Church". I know the Constitution backwards and forwards and KNOW why we are secular. Again, I am not against unions, I am against marriages that, to me, is a religious term and churches would soon be forced to provide.

Trust me on that. I know how liberals work.