So if our country is suppose to separate church and state, then why is gay marriage an issue?

Question

because the only issue people keep saying is that in the bible it says its wrong or it says its between a man and woman. Well if we want to get all god like, doesn't god say love your brother, doesn't god say love and forgive the ones that sin. And don't you think if everything is about god, then he wouldn't of created people that love people in the same sex

Answer 1

Separation of church and state was adopted when our country was formed to prevent our governmet from sanctioning or adopting a particular religion as an official state religion. However, our constitution does make spiritual references. The fear at the time was that a government would do what England did in forming the Chrch of England. Religiuos freedom does not mean freedom from religion. Lots of our laws are based on spiritual beliefs (like the 10 comandments). If the overwhelming majority are christian and opposed to gay marriage, they will elect representatives who will pass laws to restrict or ban it. If the constitution is strictly interpreted, there is nothig in there that makes a gay marriage ban unconstitutional. However, marriage in and of itself is a religious institution. If a religion is against gay marriage, does the government have the right to impose gay marriage on it? That may be protected in the constitution. I think the answer is civil unions. If the government performed and recognized civil unions and let churches and religious institutions perform marriages, there might be the solution. If you are Catholic for example, get married in a Church. As a Catholic you are married and seen as such by your relgion. Instead of a marriage license, you get a civil union license (which would be religion neutral) from the government. Then gay people can do the same. If they want to call themselves married, so be it. No religion is forced to adopt something against its beliefs and thegvernment separates itself from any religious implications by calling any legal union of 2 people a civil union. Just my idea though.

Answer 2

Without jumping on either side of the fence, Gay marriage is more a social or moral issue than a religious one it's just that the Religious sect likes to sound out because the old testament of the bible does speak out against homosexuality. However, I agree with the first answer I read. This is a good topic to keep us all distracted.

Answer 3

1st.
Amendment I
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..

Just where do you see the word separate in the passage above.It states make no law. In other words the law keeps it`s hands off the church not the other way.

2nd
Amendment X.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

In other words Marriage is up to the states not the Feds.

Answer 4

You steal that off one of my previous posts?

Yeah I'm a republican, but I have a moderate view on this. I do think homosexuality is a sin, but that's between you & God, not me. IF a Catholic & Muslim want to get married, but niether clergy will do it cause both require the other to convert... then they go done to the court house & get legal married & both religions are required to accept that. Isn't that govt dictating doctorine to churches that is agaisnt their beliefs? Isn't that a violation of church & state in a MUCH greater way then putting the ten commandments up in a court house? If Govt performs Gay Marriages is it not them forcing churches to accept things against their religious beliefs & creating a societal environment that oppresses the practice of that religion?

Based on the above case, govt should have NO role in marriage at all, that should devolve exclusively to churches. The state should set policy in licensing civil unions between all couples (hetro or homosexual) & the simple requirement of churches to require a license for civil union before being ritually married before God. If you just want a civil union in court, maybe because the church won't do it for you, then that's seperate from religion & fine.

Answer 5

I have asked that same question myself. There is supposed to be a separation of church and state. But one of the main reasons for the protest against gay marriage is based on the bible. It makes no sense to me either. The bible also refers to divorce as an abomination. So why arent all these divorced heterosexuals getting blasted on?

Answer 6

That's a very good observation. Well, I think I read or watched somewhere that the idea is to get America back to being a Christian state since it was founded by Christians. Another idea is the one that DaniLynn mentioned. Personally, I don't believe in any of the theories, but I can tell you gay marriage is an excellent noisemaker in an election year.

Answer 7

In Canada churches are being forced to "bless" same-sex unions-If you are ok with that happening here then you really do not believe in the separation of church and state. Love the sinner hate the sin, that goes for all sin not just homosexual sex, it means-gossip, lying, stealing, drunkeness, murder-all sin is the same in Gods eyes-He doesn't have "levels" of badness like humans do.

Answer 8

Actually, it goes deeper than most people realize. The insurance companies don't want this to go through due to the many new spouses that would be created in same sex marriages. The number a claims would lower their income rate!

Answer 9

You make very good observations. Possibly to keep our attention from things that really matter to most people like universal health care and day care so the non-wealthy can work to support the tax cuts for Dubya's buddies. Hm, better ask the Republicans about the contradiction here.

Answer 10

Many people believe that the reason there shouldn't be gay marriage is it doesn't benefit society. Marriage is pretty much there in order to raise a family and allow the kids to grow up in a "wholesome" environment.