'Marriage' for same sex couples Vs. 'Civil Unions'. Is there any difference?

Question

I think its almost funny that some people who oppose same sex marriage take a less harsh stance (probably for political reasons) and say they will support civil unions for same sex couples. They say that civil unions could have all the legalities of marriage, but it would not be called marriage.

At least, that's what I have observed.

Is there any difference between 'Civil Unions' and 'Marriage' for same sex couples?

Or is it just semantics?

Answer 1

Nope. It just appeases people becuase every time they hear gay marriage, they go bersek.

Answer 2

There is one major difference. Marriage has a very important distinction. Since man first began to live in societies as one may imagine, many different combinations were tried. Everything from no marriages at all to multiple spouses. Yet, most every society came to find out that the best of these possible combinations was one man and one woman bound together and exclusive to each other, resulting in offspring that are the result of that union was the best model for the basic family unit. This family unit is the foundation of orderly societies.

So to drive this point home, this union was given special status and even special privleges. It was publically encouraged and various ceremonies emerged. The couple to be married received the blessing of the local officials.

Today, this ideal is still the best and the standard against which everything else is judged. You do not have to be married, you can live with someone, produce all the children with all the mates you wish. You can live with same sex, or opposite sex or any combination and numbers you wish. None, however, meets the ideal standard which remains one man, one woman united and all the offspring resulting.

Homosexuals couples are not the best standard for families. Does that make homosexuals bad people? No it does not. Does that mean homosexuals cannot be good parents? No, it does not. But they can never be ideal parents. For every child, the ideal is one father and one mother.

You cannot have more than one ideal standard. So you may have many other things call them "Narriage, or Parriage or Garriage" if you wish but under no circumstances can anything else be called Marriage if marriage is to have any meaning at all.

.

Answer 3

It rarely works out that civil unions hold all the same "legal" advantages of marriage.

Legally, the difference may just be the word. But morally, it is not. Imagine yourself a gay man/woman in a straight world. Straight boys and girls grow up imagining that they'll get married, have 2.8 kids, a white picket fence, etc. There is a reason, a higher goal, toward romantic relations, and that is marriage.

Homosexual relationships don't enjoy the same legitimacy in their relationships. Even though homosexuals grow up in a straight society that idealizes married life, the family, they are not permitted to enjoy it for themselves. A straight society doesn't nod to the permanence, the weight, of a gay relationship evolving--teleologically culminating--in marriage.

There is a crisis of dedication in the gay community. I feel it and observe it all the time. And it's because the ideal of marriage isn't offered to us...

Answer 4

There absolutely is a difference.

I oppose gay marriage based on my beliefs about what marriage is. To me, marriage is not a certificate you get from the court house, no this is insignificant. I believe that marriage is a religious function, not a civil function. The Bible teaches us that homosexuality is a sin and, based on my beliefs, I can not condone taking vows before God in sin.

However, sin is sin. It doesn't matter if it's lying, stealing or murder, it all has the same value (to me). We all sin, every single one of us. Additionally, I can not hold others to what my beliefs of right and wrong are.

Therefore, I support civil unions. This is a civil function that gives gay couples the same rights, privilages and responsibilities that married couples have without breaching my belief of marriage being a religious function. Regardless of sexual orientation, everyone is entitled to the same civil rights.

I hope this was helpful.

Answer 5

actually, I think civil unions make a lot more sense. a civil union could be applied to more than just same sex couples and would accomplish all the same goals. it could be applied to friends, no matter the sex, no matter the age, that depend on each other for survival and want to make sure the other is taken care of if something should happen. you don't need marriage for that type of legal bond.

Answer 6

How do you experience approximately polygamy? I ask 'reason i come across it exciting whilst every person is in want of comparable intercourse marriage yet, throw a extra healthful over polygamy. On a part observe i've got seen deplorable habit on the two components of the prop 8 debate. a splash much less hate and a splash extra speaking might bypass a protracted way.

Answer 7

It is not semantics. It is dangerous to allow a political action group to redefine words and concepts as important as marriage.

Marriage has been understood by EVERY culture in the world for THOUSANDS of years to mean between a man and a woman.

Once you start to redefine concepts and words it becomes easier and easier.

But basically, I think civil unions are a load of crap too...God was quite clear saying "man shall not lie down with man."

Best Regards.

Answer 8

Marriage is actually a religious thing..anyone not religious should get a civil union, same sex or not. Civil union is all that government can offer anyway.

Answer 9

Big difference!
"Civil Unions" is a phrase and "Marriage" is a single word.

Seriously, I believe you are absolutely correct. As I stated in a previous answer, I believe anyone who demands the word "marriage" when a Civil Union affords them the same rights is only trying to stir up controversy and shove their lifestyle down our throats.

Answer 10

It's all semantics and rhetoric. There is no tangible reason not to allow gay couples to marry. Civil Unions are marriage with a different word attached.

Answer 11

It's defining the union as a marriage that gets most opposing it. Marriage is already becoming a dying symbol of unity, & tradition, let it change & some fear all respect is lost on marriage.