Does freedom of religion indicate that same-sex CIVIL (non-religious) marriages should be legal?

Question

The biases against same-sex marriage reflect a certain set religious viewpoints. However, other religious viewpoints are either neutral or supportive of same-sex marriage.

Since the first amendment to the US constitution guarantees that government cannot favor one religion over another, is it not therefore reasonable that same-sex CIVIL marriage should be legal?

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(All religious groups and leaders already can select whom they personally and as a congregation will allow to marry and whom they will prohibit from marrying within their own faith group. That's why Catholic priests can refuse to marry an interfaith couple, etc.)

Answer 1

Ok and it could also be posed this way.... should my husband and my union (marriage) be void since he is atheist and I am agnostic? We had no religious vows at all. We were not joined in a church or by a member of the church. But my marriage is as legal as the next.
The major argument of same sex marriage (union) is that its a sin against God and yada yada. So wouldn't that make any marriage between a man and woman that wasn't held religiously a sin against God? That because we didn't vow ourselves in front of God that somehow it should be illegal?
I think any person has the right to marry another. And no it should not be cheapened and called a union it is a marriage! No matter what the sex, race, or religion of the people they should all have the right. To go to the courthouse and get the license and join legally as a couple!

Answer 2

I don't understand what freedom of religion and the right for gays to marry have in common. I don't worry about what other people want to do. Marriage , however, has been an institution for thousands of years and has always been the cornerstone for a family. Gay marraige can't be compared to a civil rights issue like racial intermarriage either, cause it's not the same thing. The only thing they have in common, is that people used to be biased or prejudiced, but it was still a man marrying a woman and a very natural thing. Besides, i don't think one person in the world can claim to be totally pure in a certain race, even most white have some Indian or latin blood in their past. If people want to choose a certain lifestyle, then that 's their business, but to claim discrimination such as people of color suffered in the past , just cause they want the same benefits that have always been given to married persons, is a shame.

Answer 3

Marriage is a legal contract. We all went and got a license. That contracted is severed in a court and called a divorce. No consenting adult should be prevented from entering into the legal contract called marriage. If anyone is against gay marriage, fine. Do not marry a gay person. Otherwise, it is none of your business. I also have no problem with a marriage ceremony performed in a church. The narrow-mindedness of some fanatics just infuriates me.

Answer 4

The only reason America has not legalized same sex marriage is economics. The government thinks it will save on Social Security and corporations save on benefit packages and pensions. Civil Same Sex Marriage is Legal here in Canada and there is not more of a economic drain on society. On the contrary business is booming. weather or not any religion chooses to marry a same sex couple or not is their choice. There are many other places available where gay couples are welcome .

Answer 5

When people believe something is wrong, they have trouble seeing others do it. As Christians, we cannot accept these people marrying and perverting the meaning of the creation of life, which is supposed to be special and as God said it should be. Everyone is created this way, and it should be a very sacred act. Sadly, marriage and sex aren't considered special anymore, nor an eternal celebration of love. Just a way to get pleasure, and creating life shouldn't be about that. It's not BEING gay, THAT'S THE ONLY REASON. We think it's wrong, it's not a minor offence on our faith to us, so we oppose it. Besides, it is harmful and confusing to children adopted into gay couples, which is why it's banned in France.

Answer 6

You're trying to intertwine church and civil marriage. Each church can define marriage, or anything else however they care to, so long as it's within to the law.
State or federal law supercedes church law. The State does not have to ask permission of the church to do anything.
There is nothing in Federal law, State law, or most church laws that recognize same sex marriage. The world has gotten along pretty darn well without it. Why rock the boat now ?

Answer 7

why should same sex marriages be legal civil or otherwise ,it has nothing to do with religion its about the natural way of thing and 2 men playing rumpy pumpy with each other is certainly not natural,and the same for woman ,their is a reason we as humans are the way we are ,its like a key(male)and a lock(female)both are made to fit eachother,anyone can wright on a piece of paper (constitution)but that does not make it right ,same sex marriage should never be alloud as it is without doubt unnatural.

Answer 8

Yes, it is reasonable. It appears that the main opponents of same-sex marriage are against it for religious reasons, which should not be considered by our gov't in making the decision.

Here's my solution - make religious marriages invalid for legal purposes. Have one if you want one, but only marriage performed in in front a judge at court will be the legal ones for tax purposes, health purposes, etc. And make it legal for anyone over the age of consent to marry anyone else of legal age.

Answer 9

Is there any religion that Demands same-sex marriage as an article of faith? That religion would fit into your question. The others, no.

Answer 10

I do not think it is really a religious thing------but it is the religious who want the power to control things. This I disapprove of.

I do believe there should be same sex civil laws, giving them the same benefits as married couples.