Gay marriage

[theloconate]

I want to know your position on gay marriage. Legal or Illegal?
If you want to know my position on it I find it sad that it's even an issue (I think it should be legal). Most of the opposition to gay marriage is purely religious, backed by Christian fundamentalists. What I find somewhat amusing is that even though the bible does say that you shouldn't lie with another man, it also says you can't eat lobsters (and various other things) in Leviticus 11:9 to 11:12. yet many of those fundamentalists have no problem eating lobster. There are a few non religious people who think gay marriage should be illegal, and to them I say this: there is no secular argument against gay marriage that can't also be applied to straight marriage (unless of course you think you can prove me wrong)

[Mastermind79]

I find it sad that it's even an issue (I think it should be legal).

This. Recently, Prop 8 was overturned in California as unconstitutional (it banned gay marriage). But even where they don't have documents protecting minorities, is this really important? Anyone's sexuality is their own choice.

[theloconate]

This. Recently, Prop 8 was overturned in California as unconstitutional (it banned gay marriage). But even where they don't have documents protecting minorities, is this really important? Anyone's sexuality is their own choice.

I agree (although i don't think its a choice rather something your born with)

[QuantumT]

For a more comedic take on other things in the bible that people don't follow through on, watch this (

).

[Uppercut]

I'm not going to vote on the poll since I'm both decided and don't think either of the other two options represent my feelings, but here goes. I think the first amendment clearly defines a strict seperation of church and state. Bold mine.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As far as all marriage is concerned I feel that this clearly means that when the state or the government recognizes marriage they're not recognising it as a religiously established union but a civil union regardless of religion. I would say that it is unconstitutional to ban any forms of marriage, including polygamous. On the other hand I think its unconstitutional to recognize religious marriage aswell since there are laws that give married couples benefits and giving someone benefits for religious practices is unconstitutional. To avoid such complications I think the government shouldn't recognize marriage at all, it isn't their business anyway.

[Hyroen]

Being gay is once again another of those things that falls into those nature vs. nurture debates, and yet another one that falls somewhere in between.

However this is not an area to discuss that. Marriage supports true love, do marriages between a man and a woman not fall apart sometimes? Was it love in the first place? Who is to say?

And don't try using the excuse that marriage is for reproduction, I have a feeling we're awake enough to know this isn't the case.

So many religions support the idea of the soul, the anima. Could it not be these which are linked in marriage and not the body? Is love not to transcend a flesh vessel?

Make it legal already, resistance is futile. Gay couple deserve as many rights as do straight ones and should have a long time ago, we wouldn't live in such an unaccepting society if it were so and so many intolerable suicides would not have occurred because of guilt and fear of facing the future.

[Ryli]

I don't see the issue. If your not gay, don't marry someone of the same gender. Problem fixed.
It doesn't hurt you if there are 2 guys/girls married somewhere down your street does it?

Just something to think about for those who are against it.

[Dogg]

I completely agree that everyone's sexual life is their own business. On the other hand, i don't understand why anyone needs to get married. Is it to prove they are in love? In my opinion, it is just a piece of paper, and most definitely shouldn't be an "evidence" that you are in love with someone. i understand 2 people loving each other, helping each other, living together, having fun together, solving all kinds of problems together... I will just never understand why is marriage so important to anyone.

[Ryli]

In my opinion, it is just a piece of paper, and most definitely shouldn't be an "evidence" that you are in love with someone.

I agree. From my understanding many people feel that the person they love is more likely to stay with them if they are married.

My mum and stepdad are an example of this not being the case. They've been together for nearly 11 years, and are not married, and as far as I'm aware don't intend to get married.
There are also couples who are married for a few months before wanting a divorce.

This shows that marriage can't force love to work. It either does or doesn't.

[theloconate]

Being gay is once again another of those things that falls into those nature vs. nurture debates

I realize that you are pro gay marriage but are you implying that being gay is not natural?

[Dragoon1140]

Obviously, as a Mormon, I am against the idea that homosexuals should use marriage as a form of commitment.  However, I am not against another form of commitment for tax reasons.  Partnership, for instance.  I was just raised under the ideal that marriage is something that should stay between a man and a woman.

[QuantumT]

snip

This. The government should only recognize civil unions, regardless of the genders of the respective parties. That way, religions can keep marriage to themselves.

I completely agree that everyone's sexual life is their own business. On the other hand, i don't understand why anyone needs to get married. Is it to prove they are in love? In my opinion, it is just a piece of paper, and most definitely shouldn't be an "evidence" that you are in love with someone. i understand 2 people loving each other, helping each other, living together, having fun together, solving all kinds of problems together... I will just never understand why is marriage so important to anyone.

There are tax benefits to being married for one. I could list others, but basically the point is that their are distinct benefits to being married instead of just being a couple.