Question for Christians who oppose gay marriage because marriage is a 'religious union'?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApUzQPENe2YxvIP38qM8mnnd7BR.?qid=20070627110639AAtHh7F&cp=2&tp=2&tnu=59#all-answers

Let me begin by saying that I do not wish to debate the morality of homosexuality because I am quite aware that the Christian religion regards it as a sin. Above is the link to a question regarding the legalization of gay marriage and the adverse effects that Christians believe it would have on their beliefs, marriages, or society.

This question is for those of you who oppose gay marriage because you view marriage as a religious union/institution before the eyes God. You claim (those of you who do) that you oppose gay marriage because marriage is meant to be a religious union of man and wife before the eyes of the Lord. Does this mean that you believe only Christians should be allowed to be married? Should atheists, pagans, buddhists, etc. only be allowed to have 'civil unions' and 'domestic partnerships' as well?

Answer 1

I agree with your analysis. If marriage is a religious institution, should any non-religious participate? Further, being religious, should it be allowed special recognition by the government? Either it is secular and should be allowed to all, no matter their orientation, or government recognition and deferrance to it must cease. For the record I am a straight, happily married atheist.

Answer 2

Why would gay people want to get married if they know the definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman? So even if a government took the couples money and pretended they were married technically they are not married. Your trying to get people who didn't invent marriage to change the definition. If the government did this they would have people believing a lie. Because for as powerful as any government is they can never change history that has already been wrote. No one can do this. How would you like it if you invented something and someone changed it without your permission? The people who invented marriage were not homophobic at all. What I'm saying is once upon a time someone came up with something called marriage and it was defined as a union between a man and a woman. So even if the government says two people of the same sex can be married it's really not marriage because our government didn't come up with the concept of marriage. Civil Union should be something gay people are proud of being. Because they invented there own type of marriage. I'm not homophobic at all I'm being real. You shouldn't want to be fooled by thinking your married because the TRUE definition of the word can never be changed no matter what our government says or does in the future. Peace and Luv

Answer 3

Interesting question, and point of view. As a Christian I understand that in the eyes of God being gay is wrong. But I've felt that you love who you love. Its not a question of self-control, its the way you are inside. Marriage is about commitment between two people. Love is love. I'm not against gay marriage, I think having the wedding in a church is contradictory to the Christian faith is all. But if two atheist, pagans, Buddhist wanted to marry I don't see them choosing a church setting to do that in. And yet they have every right to make that commitment to someone.
I for one do not understand peoples fears of gay marriage. If it doesn't effect you, then why do you worry about it. If your Christian then your life is between you and God, and how you live your life is all that matters. Others choices do not reflect on you. You yourself commit the sin.
I also have a hard time believing that good people should be condemned to hell because of different beliefs, or lifestyles. I think that if your a good person, and come judgment day that proof is before you, you should not be forsaken because in your life you didn't see the path. As much faith as I have as a Christian. I except that I could be wrong. I choose to believe that there is a loving God who can effect the deepest parts of my life and save me from my troubles. I understand not everyone feels that way, and that's fine.

Answer 4

There is no "historical evidence that Christianity allowed gay marriage" at any time at all. There was once a ceremony in Christianity called "the making of brothers". It was a ceremony between two men, and often two women, whereby they adopted each other as brother or sister. It is still performed in some Eastern Churches. It was never "marriage" or anything of the sort. It fell into disuse in the West because it created conflicts over inheritance rights of one of the adopted parties when one of their fathers died. The above quotes you provided are easily disproved by the writings of the ancient Church Fathers. There is an unbroken chain of teachings within Christianity against homosexuality reaching back to the apostles, so to say that it was not a part of Christianity "until the late 14th century" is at best ignorance, and at worst a lie.

Answer 5

Some people oppose gay marriage because it deviates from the piratical conclusion that it should involve a man and a woman. Some people don't want there taxes subsidizing anything other than the practical conclusion. Example: John/Jane Doe love and want to marry their prized blue ribbon winning sheep. And now we the people have to subsidize them because they filed taxes Married/filling separately. Don't think it could ever happen? Nether could a 56 million law suet be filed over a lost pair of pants.

Answer 6

You know, I've often thought the same thing myself. My wife and I are both atheist, yet we are married in the eyes of the law.
Our wedding was 100% without the mention of a god of any sort. If we can get married, then why can't gays and lesbians? I think it REALLY is about bigotry and discrimination, they (Christians) hide it under a silly blanket of religious beliefs. Following their 'rules' my wife and should not be allowed to be married.

Answer 7

There might be a case for defining "marriage" as a strictly religious concept, and referring to all legally recognized partnerships as "civil unions". Bill O'Reilly, in one of his few thoughtful moments, has made this suggestion

Answer 8

Your question sets a false premise and can not be addressed without drawing an immorality parallel. In effect, what you are saying is, "Let me sew up your mouth and you answer this question." Marriage is a one man (any man), one woman (any woman), proposition by definition. If gays want to call their foolishness a civil union that's fine with me, but don't infringe upon God's institution of marriage by calling it something that it simply is not and can never be.

Answer 9

no. it simply means that God Himself instituted marriage FOR a man and a woman to joined together. Sex was desgined for procreation and is God's gift to bring pleasure between a male & a female.That's why He created a woman for Adam and NOT a man to give him. Otherwise if it were good for a man to lay with another man, God would have created "Adam & Steve" not "Adam & Eve". He also made two different sexes to fit together,one male & one female of each animal to reproduce. Even in the plant kingdom it can be seen, male and female flowers, as well as insects, and fish and all sea creatures.

It two women were to be together, how would you create a male for life to continue? Or with two males, how would you create a female for life to continue? Either way cancells out conception that is needed for creation to continue. In all living things. To do so, actually prevents people from being born.

Have you considered that there maybe special people who God wants to be born and be brought into this world,who will never see life because the person needed to either give birth or provide the seed necessary for a certain person(s) to be born is being prevented because of homosexuality? There may be someone who would've grown up to become President, or someone with the perfect gifts to radically change the world.

Marriage is not a "religious" union for only those who believe in God or for christians only. It is a union between a man and a woman. Even in Africa and many other countries where people have never heard of christianity, they perform special ceremonies to join a man & woman together. In some cultures, a man may have many wives,(women) but NEVER is a man & a man or a woman & a woman joined together, EVER. It is considered forbidden and UNHEARD of! Only in America would people consider such ideas as this.

You'll never hear the words "violating free rights" or "unconstitional" etc, in places like Africa. Most people are happy with the way God made things, and wouldn't dare challenge their Maker, no matter who they believe in, in any culture. Only in America people rebel and fight what is good.

The laws of this country were established and come into being through the majority rule. I think alot of America these days has become as a "Rebellious Teenager" when compared to the way things were in the days of Abraham Lincoln and all those who were in favor of and signed the Declaration of Independence. They would roll over in their graves if they knew how people years later would interpret "freedom" and use it as an excuse to sin against God & do any such things that are forbidden. Saying"free rights". Each one who signed were God-fearing, Bible believing people, and is part of history. (It's all documented)

I'm sorry if this sounds brash, but you did say this question is for those who oppose.

Answer 10

First of all I want to point out that this has nothing to do with hate, I just wanted to make that clear. The thing I have against it is they try to make homosexuals out as a separate race of people, instead of just admitting that it is only a belief system driven by the lust of the flesh like any other sex outside of marriage. If they want to partake of that type of action, then that is their business. It becomes my business when I am told that I must accept it as correct and proper.
I am trying to be nice and word it as easy as I can. please understand.