Gay Couples

[Rutarete]

It all comes down to what 'marriage' is classified as.

This. This is the heart of it. Being the son of two moms, I know they've had their fair share (if not more) of trouble getting 'married' and being recognized as so for the legal benefits.

[ARTHANASIOS]

I happen to have a friend who is both Christian and homosexual; sexual orientation and religion are two different things, and some people choose not to believe that their religion would tell them that their sexual orientation, a major part of their identity, is "wrong" or "unnatural". People interpret things differently, and for them it can work out perfectly fine.

Secondly, aside from the sense of security and longevity that marriage gives a relationship, it has various financial and societal benefits as well.

 This sounds logical, thank you. However, let's assume that gay couple are Catholics or Lutherans and they try to find a Catholic/Lutheran priest to marry them, but every priest they find deny to marry them due to their gender identity. How are these people going to react? Are they going to complain about it and demand to be accepted by their church? Are they going to accept the "abnormal" status of their relationship and put an end to it? Are they going to abandon their religion or church for being too narrow-minded?
 In my most humble opinion, abandoning their religion is the rightest thing to do and I falsely came to a conclusion that everyone was going to follow this way, so I apologize for my false previous conclusion.

[BeefSupreme]

Just in response to everyone, the question, more specifically, is why aren't gay couples allowed to get married? There's a very big separation of church and state in America and marriage is, technically, a legal agreement.
So why should churches of any religion have a say in why gay couples are allowed to get married?
Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

[Rutarete]

Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

Critics.

[BeefSupreme]

Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

Critics.

Wouldn't that, then, bring into question the validity of their religion itself? A perfect, all-loving God that doesn't accept what he's created?

[Naesala]

Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

Critics.

Wouldn't that, then, bring into question the validity of their religion itself? A perfect, all-loving God that doesn't accept what he's created?

This brings in the whole "God given free will" and "Is homosexuality a choice or are you born with it?" debates

[BeefSupreme]

Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

Critics.

Wouldn't that, then, bring into question the validity of their religion itself? A perfect, all-loving God that doesn't accept what he's created?

This brings in the whole "God given free will" and "Is homosexuality a choice or are you born with it?" debates

Right. And I feel that most gays wouldn't choose to be that way because of the ridicule and ignorance (from other people) that comes along with it, so how can religious people justify that?

[Fireleaf]

Unfortunately, sometimes religion feels it doesn't need any further justification than "God's will".

[BeefSupreme]

Unfortunately, sometimes religion feels it doesn't need any further justification than "God's will".

Which is really what it all comes down to. It's frustrating, to say the least.

[Pella]

Who are they to tell homosexuals that what they believe is wrong?

The standard argument from Christians is:
1) G-d said it's wrong (in the Old Covenant).
2) Allowing homosexuals to marry would destroy the very fabric of the institution of marriage.

1) While that's true, the New Covenant says relatively little about homosexuality.  The recorded words of Jesus say absolutely nothing about homosexuality.
2) Right, just like interracial marriage, quickie divorces, and Liz Taylor's eight husbands did.

[Hyroen]

As someone who has experienced divorces left and right, I just believe that every family deserves a chance to be united legally, treated equally, and live happily.

Also, being in a homosexual relationship myself, while I have faced my share of challenges I will not give up my chance to defend my beliefs.

[BluePriest]

I am not gay myself, but I see no problem with gay couples being married if they're in love. Religion has bashed the homosexual community for far too long and I think that's much more "evil" than anything that homosexuals are doing.

So, my question:
Why do most religions deny gay people the right to get married if they're in love? Why would an all-loving "God" allow this kind of hatred towards homosexuals?

Because it is Gods permissive will vs his preventive. Christians that hate on homosexuals are scum. Meanwhile, be sure not to mistake their disaproval with the lifestyle as a hate for those people. Personally, as a christian, I dont believe its my job to make you live by my lifestyle, note my comment about permissive vs preventive lifestyle. The act alone is the issue, not getting married. Its stupid to make such a big deal over the marriage aspect from a christians stand point.