Why do people continually use this excuse?

Question

The majority of people who are against gay marriage that I come in contact with are against it because they say marriage is ordained by God, and it is a holy right, meant for a man and a woman. Well, that's all good and well, to those who believe that. But what if you are an atheist? They're not religious by any means, and yet they still get married and no one has anything to scream about then. I'm not making fun of Atheists, not at all, just trying to prove a point.

Another thing, before I get any answers quoting the bible and what God says to me, that's not a valid answer. Separation of church and state. If I believe something different than you, why should I be persecuted for my beliefs?

Answer 1

Primarily the whole struggle -- on both sides -- is a battle between religious groups.

There is no threat to straight marriage or straight people, all of that rhetoric is simply a method of trying to keep moderates opposed while a certain subgroup of denominations manipulate the government to crush the rights of another subgroup of denominations.

I support governmental recognition of all marriages performed by recognized religious group, and that is the secret about the gay marriage question.

The gay marriage fight is really a battle between two groups of religious denominations - Christian and other in both cases. That battle is being missed by the media, and I believe that the battle threatens democracy in America.

One of the reasons for the Revolution, in which ancestors of mine fought -- was to establish freedom of religion in the new nation. Now, we are throwing that away, because contrary to what those on the Right would like you to think, this is not a battle between "people of faith" and "atheists" or some such -- this is a battle between two groups of people of faith, using the government to establish one sides views -- the EXACT THING that the anti-establishmentarian clause of the Constitution is there to prevent.

Of course no one should "make" those whose faiths oppose gay marriage perform such marriages, and no one ever would. So ministers from the Southern Baptists and Assemblies of God and Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Fundamentalist Muslims should never be asked to perform gay marriages, and certainly not forced to.

On the other hand, why should faith groups that support gay marriage -- such as the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian/Universalist Society, the North American Spiritualist Church, Reform Judaism, and the Correllian Tradition of Wicca -- all recognized Churches and 501c3s be barred from practicing their religious faiths, which say it is ok to marry same sex couples?

The first group of faith groups is realistically using the government to prevent the second group of faith groups from practicing what they believe and having it legally recognized. The founders tried to prevent this, for the stability of the country. It doesn't matter that everyone "thinks" they are right and others are wrong -- it matters that we are plural as a society and the government should recognize everyone's ceremonies the same -- which means that gay marriages committed by churches and faith groups that believe in gay marriages, should be honored by the government regardless of what groups that don't like it say.

Everyone's beliefs can be honored, thus preserving the values that my 12 times removed Great Grandfather died for -- but not if we allow one side to legislate away the rights of the other side.

Since I do not believe the government should be used to control religious belief -- I think that the government should recognize gay marriage, when performed by members of clergy -- and should create a civil union equivalent for those interested only in secular marriage.

Otherwise we should stop saying we don't have an establishment of religion.

Regards,

Reynolds Jones
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 2

People that don't have a real honest answer for a question like to use the Bible as their weapon.
And you are right, what if someone doesn't practice a faith. Should they be governed by religious rules and commandments? NO!
And the state doesn't have the power by order of the constitution to interfere with church matters, but the government has their hand in the pot anyway. If the government doesn't want to grant same sex marriages in the court room, then that is well and fine, but they have no jurisdiction over the church. Someday the American people will get their heads out of each others butts, and see that what they are doing is not allowed.

Answer 3

I'm with Frodo on this one.

Marriage is a civil contract between two adults, and two men or two women should be able to enter into it just as a man and a woman do. We're all entitled to equal protection under the law.

If a given church or denomination of churches chooses not to sanctify marriages, that is certainly their choice. But the religious service and the civil contract are two separate issues.

By the way, Christians did no marry in the church from ancient times until sometime in the 12th or 13th century. So marriage isn't a "sacrement."

Answer 4

There are people who don't believe in god in every society, and every time period. Religious people have dealt with non-religious people for a long time and they have come to accept the fact that they cannot wipe out those people won't doesn't believe in god. They never will convert all those atheists to believe in god. At least not the way religious people are doing it now.

People haven't had to deal with the issue of homosexuality until the now. They still haven't come to terms with this yet. There are few people who are totally and completely open-minded about these things.

Answer 5

Combination of Church and State. Religion corrupts the mind. It is a good thing to have to unify people though many extremists in the world will take things too far by disassociating certain social groups from doing normal things. I am athiest and all I believe is that if I love a woman or man, that I should be able to have a traditional ceremony to celebrate my love for my spouse.

Answer 6

marriage between a man and women might be ordained by god in the christian faith.
but the U.S.A. recognizes marriage and gives tax breaks and inheritance rights to people who are married to increase the population
for the U.S. not to recognize a gay marriage is imposing a christian view point of marriage and that goes against the separation of church and state

Answer 7

There have been non-religious marriages performed by civil servants for many years. The fact of the matter is, fundamentalist Christians want to control government, and alter the constitution to reflect their own values, contrary to the wishes of the founders. Wake up people, it's time to say no to these wannabe dictators.

Answer 8

If marriage is ordained by God; I'm sure He isn't pleased with the divorces; God refers to as abomination; unwed kids; fornicators, infidelity; and oh yes; spouses who kill each other. Isn't it time for heterosexuals to prove why marriage is sacred by example. Why on earth would you expect someone to honor your views, when you don't. Hypocrisy is limited to your own transparency. By sides; what's the harm of two people of the same sex sharing title to property, being listed as next to kin; or being able to raise a family with the children you have abandon, or even sexually/abusively harmed. Let them love your mistakes. Give them civil liberties.

Answer 9

Yes......marriage can be issued by the state in this day and age....so to say that gay marriage can't be done because of God is a clear intermingling of church and state.

Answer 10

You know....I believe that gay marriage is right...at least the option of equal rights...but after seeing for 57 years the absolute farce and mess that the straight moral majority has made of this institution I have my doubts that it's something anyone in their right mind would want.