Just looking for some consistency is all.
2007-09-14 15:19:46 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh I know why! Because our laws *aren't* dictated by religion, but people seem to forget that.
2007-09-14 15:28:30 · update #1
word's for birds:
Oh you want to know something? most Americans think atheism is wrong, most americans think islam is wrong, most americans believe hardcore metal music is wrong.
Hey why are those things legal even though most people think they are wrong?
2007-09-14 16:06:00 · update #2
Oh good godess don't give them ideas
2007-09-14 15:25:23 · answer #1 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Homosexual marriage is not "illegal" in America, at least not in the same way that theft, extortion, and murder are "illegal". To my knowledge, there are no laws on the American books saying, to the point, that men cannot marry men and that women cannot marry women. If two people of the same gender want to have some sort of religious service (whatever religion will accomodate them) and call each other "spouse", then no police officer is going to throw them in jail for it. The State will simply NOT ACKNOWLEDGE a legal union, calling it a "marriage". It's a lot like "recognizing" a country: it's a legal definition that every country retains as part of its sovereignity.
You might want to reconsider that point, in light of your question.
Now, down to the meat portion...
Yes, America was founded by people of the Judeo-Christian theological persuation. It's laws were written based on English law, which had a lot of it's basis in Christian theology. Because of that basis, the recognition of marriage has remained defined (at least legally) as pertaining to one man/one woman, at least for the last 200+ years.
Now, obviously the laws of our country do not prevent or prescribe thoughts and feelings from happening. If you want to love 10,000 people passionately in your heart, and think that your dog is the best creature in all the world, and believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster, nobody is going to throw you in the clink. American law only regulates actions, not thoughts and feelings. (Yes, we have "hate crime" legislation, but that punishes actions, not thoughts.)
Atheism is not illegal because it is a philosophy/theology, not an action. If you aren't convinced in the existence of God, no big deal. Nobody is going to arrest you for thinking. If, however, you use your atheism to burn down churches and synagogs and mosques, THEN we have a problem.
It ISN'T the thought that counts, it's how you use it!
2007-09-14 22:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, there is 'gay marriage' IN the bible.
1 Samual 18 with David and Jonathan. All of the criteria for marriage, as defined at the time period, is present. The merging of souls, the loving, the vows, and cleving is indicated by the text.
Some people simply like to say that they were just 'good friends', but get real. Sure they were, all 'good' friends strip naked in front of their buds, pledge their UNDYING love, and they move in together?!? Hheheeee sure happens all the time.
As to atheism, it is also not illegal. Especially in Light of verses like...
EXO 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ?
If god wanted everyone to be the same, he would have created them all the same. Also, he wouldn't have come down in Genesis 11, scattered his people all over the world, and CONFUSED the WORD, so people couldn't 'work together'. The tower of babel story happens in the generation FOLLOWING the FLOOD, so the only people left according tot he bible were noah and his children. Thus at least according to the bible, everyone the world over is related AND venerates the same god, its just that we have a CONFUSED WORD-BY GOD-that separates us and keeps us from 'understanding' each other.
2007-09-14 22:31:07 · answer #3 · answered by Lion Jester 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bible not only says it's wrong but it commands to murder them.
Leviticus 20:13 -
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them"
And yet atheist get demonized for being brave enough to stand up to this insanity !!!
2007-09-15 02:44:21 · answer #4 · answered by Deloused-In-The-Comatorium 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason gay marriages is illegal is not because of the Bible. That's not to the say the Bible has nothing to do with. The arguments are more about what a marriage has always been, producing kids. In MA gay marriages are legal. So it is legal in America somewhere.
2007-09-14 22:29:08 · answer #5 · answered by Keith 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
So just maybe we should make all things legal like murder lying stealing etc etc that way if you dont want to do it its up to you . but what a hell of a mess the world would be in .Abolish all laws most come from the Bible as it is ao why bother. Well thats the way were headed and thank god i wont be around
2007-09-14 22:37:00 · answer #6 · answered by the only 1 hobo 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
actually, it is. If you read the bible. Then it is. But you must look at the reason. After all worship of satan is against God, bu allowed here in America.
The answer is freedom of religion. It is one of the beautiful things about America. You can legally preach anything.
2007-09-14 22:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the constitution says we have freedom of religion, and the constitution gets to trump the Bible in this country.
2007-09-14 22:25:52 · answer #8 · answered by javadic 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of Religion. You don't have to believe, kinda like the Right to Vote, no one is going to make you.
2007-09-14 22:31:37 · answer #9 · answered by LaptopJesus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because homosexuals don't have no fins nor scales in the water. So, they are illegal. Just like eating lobsters is.
"Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you." (Leviticus 11:12)
.
2007-09-14 22:48:24 · answer #10 · answered by bodhidave 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Homosexual marriage is illegal because the majority of Americans say it's wrong. That's called democracy.
2007-09-14 22:30:54 · answer #11 · answered by words for the birds 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋