President Bush, fundamentalist Christians, and many other folks use the Bible to say that gay marriage is wrong. They want the U.S. Constitution to be ammended to say that only one man and one woman may legally marry. More than 35 states have already added this to their State Constitutions. On the other hand, there are many theologians who say that when the Bible was written, the references to homosexuallity were very different than acts of love and committment between two consenting adults. Research that has been done objectively has found over and over again, that there are no negative consequences to children who are raised by gay or lesbian parents.
I say if a person's religious beliefs forbid gay marriage, than they should go to a church that preaches the same. "Church-state separation does not mean hostility toward religion. Rather, it means that the government will remain neutral on religious questions, leaving decisions about God and faith in the hands of its citizens."
2006-06-18 03:20:33 · 16 answers · asked by AddieJN 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Because it's more convenient for them to do so. They can't really justify a constitutional amendment regulating love and still claim to be the party of "smaller government". Christ said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," yet all these funamentalist "Christians" do is judge. They just want to change the country to their liking. "Christianity" is full of hipocrytes. I doubt if Jesus would appreciate what they do in His name.
2006-07-01 13:59:58 · answer #1 · answered by rtanys 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Actually the word 'marriage' means two completely different and separate things. We use the word without specifying which we mean, and sometimes we do it on purpose. The first meaning of marriage is a religious institution. Two people stand up in a church and a minister mumbles some words over them, and then they are seen as having been joined by God. This is totally a religious matter, and every church has the right to decide who they'll marry and who not. The govt. should stay out of it. I agree, forcing churches to marry gays -would- be a violation of church and state. The other meaning of marriage is a legal partnership, allowing two people to be seen as one entity for economic purposes. They may own property jointly to avoid probate, they may co-mingle expenses, make certain decisions for one another etc. And that is a civil matter, a civil right, a right of citizenship. Churches should have no say about it. The benefits of being in an economic partnership should be available to all, regardless of gender or the intention to reproduce. Suppose two old widows decide to join and share their lives, to buy a house together and become a 'family'. No sex involved. Separate bedrooms. But they want to share their lives, to be there for one another, to execute each other's wills or 'living wills', etc. Why shouldn't they be allowed to use the same legal status as two people of the opposite sex? There's no sex involved here. They should have that right. As should gays. That has nothing to do with church/state.
2016-05-20 00:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
stanleys_2001 has the right idea. I would not have put it in such harsh terms, but essentially, that is how I feel. Holy matrimony is supposed to be between a man and a woman to establish a stable environment to raise a family. No matter who you choose to be in a permanent relationship with, you should have equal rights, but there should be a separate institution established for gay and lesbian folks.
Look, the whole reason we have laws is because people need guidelines on proper behavior. What do we base those guidelines upon? Sorry, but you cannot convince me it is anything other than religion. Without religion, people will do whatever they think they can get away with. That is the real problem in this country today.
2006-06-30 21:23:48 · answer #3 · answered by percolated 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For Stanleys:
According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, marriage is: "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage
Stanleys, you are truly ignorant. And who the hell are you to deem what's normal and what's abnormal? Everyone's heard your tired reasoning: "tab A was designed to go into slot B"...blah blah blah.....You're the very reason why hatred is still an ongoing disease in this country. If everyone had your logic, women would still be burning bras for their right to vote, blacks would still be counted as half a vote, Jim Crow laws would still rule this country.
The questioner's question is valid: The government is NOT supposed to allow religion to sway their decision on people's rights. It seems to me you have forgotten that, apart from Freedom of Religion, there's also The 4th Amendment, which states: "protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason)." And this is the reason why these congressmen are trying to rewrite the constitution.
In no way does Gay Marriage destroy the sanctity of the ceremony or that of human values. If anything should be banned it should be the right to bear arms. You know how many lives are taken daily because of unregistered gun use in this country? But no, you're right, Stanleys, two guys f******* is much worse than a six-year-old shooting a fellow student at school....LOL...
The American Government has NEVER been for the people. It's composed of nothing but greedy politicians who create laws that benefit themselves. Let us not forget that most of the constitution signers all owned slaves. How can you trust men to pass laws, granting freedom when they themselves are restricting others from theirs?
Aria
*The illnovelist*
2006-06-27 21:23:03 · answer #4 · answered by illnovelist 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Amen to your own answer to this question. The government should remain neutral on all religious issues.
That is what freedom of religion means. Without a separation of church and state, you no longer have a Democracy. And this country was formed for the purpose of FREEDOM of religion for one thing. If we had a Supreme Court that was not biased toward whatever Bush's agenda is, they would throw all of the amendments the states have ratified out as unconstitutional. Which of course they are!
2006-06-30 17:39:12 · answer #5 · answered by Pam M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, If you look at the constitution there is no "separation of church and state". That is a phrase that the supreme court took out of context from a letter written by Benjamin Franklin and used in a decision. actually must of the framers of the constitution were christian, and 90%of the constitution is derived from Biblical scripture. not to mention that the term freedom of religion written of in the constitution is referring to freedom of denomination, (within Christianity), to prevent what England did concerning the Church of England. The supreme court changed the definition of "religion" in 1963. Not that all people should be required to believe the same thing, (besides, That's not something that can be controlled); People will believe what they believe! But the constitution was actually written with the intent of prohibiting making laws based along denominational lines.There were even church services held in the capitol building until the congregation became too large. Not to mention that both houses of congress and the supreme court are all opened with prayer at the beginning of each session.
2006-06-29 23:36:51 · answer #6 · answered by sojourner.fathom 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Separation of church and state is a myth. Throughout history it has never occurred---even today. God is the author of human government. This desire to have church and state sewparate is the desire by men to be separate from God and go their own way. This is the reason why the world is in such pitiful shape today. Of couse, the extreme opposite is worse---government by religion, which is a theocracy. There is a happy medium between a totally atheistic governent and a theocracy. It is called muutual respect for the commandments of God. Legalized gay marriages are outside the commandments of God, and such are what occur when decisions about God and faith are left in the hands of citizens. When man is left to his own devices he will always choose what is right in his own eyes, rather than what is right in the eyes of God.
2006-06-18 03:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by Preacher 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I truly don't understand why religious people are so upset about gay marriage. Frankly, it's none of their business. If someone is part of their religion and is against gay marriage, then obviously, they shouldn't get one. :) I'm straight, but I think everyone has a right to be happy the way they are happy.
2006-06-18 03:25:42 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
See?
It drives me crazy when people defend their position... with catch phrases.
You have no idea with the "SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE MEANS".
It does not mean people in a state can't go to church... all it means is:
NO CHURCH CAN BE A STATE. (Like the vatican is)...
That's it. It doesn't mean State buildings can't have a STAR OF DAVID or you can't have a representation of the 10 comandments or you can't say the word "GOD" in the Pledge of allegence.
LOOK... You don't know to be religious... to know that "GAY MARRIAGE" doesn't exist. Marriage... by it's very defination can NOT be gay... That's like a BLACK & WHITE RAINBOW or MIDNIGHT SUNSHINE.
LOOK... just look at a MAN & look at a woman... notice how NATURE intened "tab a" to go into "slot b"... and how children are brought into the word. THAT'S NATURAL, the 2 SLOT B's or 2 TAB A... is not!
Why should we PERVERT an institution that has GOT IT RIGHT for CENTURES? Hint: that's why we have special olympics... and why we don't DILUTE the real OLYMPICS.
Why change the BOYS SCOUTS... to make them admit GIRLS!
That's why we have the GIRL SCOUTS.
Look... I understand... you love who you love. But if you're not a MAN AND A WOMAN... then you can't marry. That's not why marriage was created. Don't mess up our institution... make one of your own. If you're really intested in the SAME RIGHTS, work on another legal status with the same rights!
However... they insist that we consider them as NORMAL instead of the FREAKS they are. You will never be accepted as NORMAL... because you're not. GET OVER IT... and be thankful for the acceptance you already had.
AND ALL THIS... is not at all related to RELIGION. Because you don't have to be RELIGIOUS to know "GAY MARRIAGE" is WRONG. You just have to have somewhat of a brain.
2006-06-18 03:36:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Yeah so..."God created man and woman to go forth and multiply"? Then why infertility, tubal ligations, and vasectomy?
If I am correct the bible also states that marriage is "death do us part" and one of the ten commandments is "Do not covet thy neighbors wife". Today we openly accept divorce and cheating so hey why not same sex marriage?
2006-07-01 17:56:09 · answer #10 · answered by Daylynn456 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋