Why do Christians think they have a right to tell other people who they can and cannot marry?

Question

"because my religion says it is wrong"

Well other peoples marriage is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
Your little book has no merit in dictating other peoples lives, especially in our congress.

What if gay people claim that according to their beliefs, god *does* allow them to marry? Then you can't really tell them no because you are descriminating against someones religious belief. And that is besides the point.

Answer 1

You're right, you're right, you're right. But the people who believe in gay rights already agree, and the people who oppose them aren't going to get converted anytime soon. Sorry to be a pessimist. but their "little book" conveniently threatens them with hellfire if they dare disobey it.

And I wouldn't be surprised if some people say discriminating because of religious differences is OK. Many do it already, though they'd never admit it.

-Atheist

EDIT: And I apologize for categorizing Christians as all opposing gay rights. Plenty of Christians are nice, moral, intelligent people.

Answer 2

I don't think all Christians are so selfish as to deny equality to those who seek it.But I see what you are talking about and agree that just because a person believes something to be wrong according to their personal beliefs does not make it right for them to tell someone else that they can not do that thing when that person does not share the belief that it is wrong.
Sure, there are universal truths of right and wrong.Murder is wrong.Stealing is wrong.Pedophilia is wrong.Bestiality is wrong.These truths are universal and so thus religion doesn't have to be a part of it to make it true.But on the issue of two adult people making choices and engaging in relationships that are mutually agreed to, a fine line must be drawn on personal choice and freedom.
Yes, a person can quote this verse or that.But if that verse has no meaning to another person, then the verse is not a valid reason for denying another the right to seek a freedom.
There is one exception I would make.If a church refuses to marry two people, then that is their right.But when two people seek to marry in the presence of a justice, then the right should be granted on the basis of civil equality.As a tax payer, I find it reprehensible that my tax dollars are spent on making sure that two people can not marry based on the beliefs of those who don't want them to marry.I thought there was suppose to be a fine line when it comes to religion and government.

Answer 3

Noone can tell you can marry unless you live in a different country that picks your husband.Never heard of this religion. I can remeber from years ago your both supposed to know God that way your marriage will work better.You live your lives first for God and not the world and raise your children right.So Im not sure what religion told you that you cant marry because you can make your own choices in life .Its just how you chose to live is the concern of the church.And as far as gay marriage well its against the Bible to be gay but some laws allow marriage.People just make up their own ways and go with it .

Answer 4

First of all I am not Christian, but why is suicide wrong? Why is walking naked "Still" wrong? Why is fornication in the public still wrong?

Well the fact is that we are different in our values and religion. Medically, and socially we know the many problems of gay marriages. However, why do you want people to say it is right? it is their freedom to say that it is wrong and to educate people about their reasons.

That being said, because last time I checked the Constitution of USA is secular and not religious. Hence, given that context we can not stop, or force these people from marrying

Answer 5

The Christians who think that are the same ones who don't understand the necessity of a separation between church and state. They don't see the difference between a sacrament of the church, a "blessed institution", and a legal condition under the government.

I would argue that it is wholly unconstitutional for the government to give special status to anyone because they've had a religious ritual performed. Give everyone equal status under the law - civil unions for anyone with all the tax, estate, medical and legal ties that go with that. And anyone that wants to have a wedding ceremony in a church should abide by the rules of that particular church. Plain and simple; pure separation of church and state. Anything less is, frankly, dangerous and oppressive.

Peace to you.

Answer 6

This country was founded on Christianity. The government has every right to follow Christian values. Christians do marry.

Answer 7

What right does a person have to deny someone their basic human rights and discriminate against them based on their sexuality. NONE. If they followed the Human Rights Charter rather than the bible, society would be a lot more just.

Yep always a good idea to 'keep the government out of your pants' I would think.

Answer 8

Christians don't have a 'right' they have a vote....

.....just like everyone else.

Gays are welcome to ceremonial marriage. Sex between consenting adults is legal. Move in with whoever you like.

But Legal marriage is really about attaching a man's wallet to a woman's offspring. It's about giving the people making the next generation a break.

The part of the homosexual community trying access benefits intended for women and children should be ashamed of themselves.

Doubly so for pretending this a crusade against bigotry.

Answer 9

i believe that proponents of same-sex marriage talk about religion more than anyone else. There have been plenty of arguments offered by conservative academics advanced on the basis of reason alone for why the notion of same sex marriage is inconsistent with the traditional institution of marriage and it's function. i do not believe that Holy books should DIRECTLY decide matters of law.

Answer 10

Hey .. my wife's church mates told her to split up with me and look for another christian before we were married.

Therefore, I think they think they have the inherited rights from the pope (even though not all of them agrees with the catholics, but then most of them love to use the inheritance from the first pope .... ie. The bible) to determine who should or should not get married.