Why won't Republicans allow Gays "The Right to Pursue Happiness" through marriage?

Question

This is supposed to be a free country.

The Republicans disagree because they are too busy telling other people how to live.

Answer 1

BULLSEYE!

Because they hate any freedom of religion except their own.

PROOVE ME WRONG. ANYBODY?????

Answer 2

There is nothing to prevent gays from pursuing happiness by forging a lifelong partnership (other than anti-cohabitation statutes in a few states that preven even unmarried heterosexual couples from living together). The ultraconservative fundamentalist Christian ilk simply feels the need to continue to discriminate against a group of people and advocate "special rights" for Christians. To this deranged segment of society, freedom only applies to them. All others can only be truly free by adhering to their warped worldview. I have to disagree with some posters on two points: 1.) If marriage is solely about procreation, then a lot of marriages currently between straight couples who either are physically unable to or refuse to rear children would be null and void. Since marriage is currently legally defined as solely between a man and woman in every state (except MA), then such a procreation prerequisite would be obviously deemed unconstitutional in every state. 2.) When it comes to civil rights and/or equal protection under the law, economic concerns should not even be relevant. Yes, such a "drastic" change in the law to include homosexual partnerships would force the gov't and private businesses to recognize same-sex couples in regards to benefits, legal matters, etc. However, this is simply the price to pay when the government has long discriminated against or refused to legally protect a certain segment of society for so long. When bans on interracial marriages were taken of the books in several states, it surely did cost them initially as it had to recognize such marriages. Also, since the gay/lesbian/transgendered community makes up a relatively small percentage of the population in society, I highly doubt there will be a tremendous economic impact on businesses nor would it hurt the gov't fiscally.

Answer 3

To everyone saying that marriage is a religious ceremony, this simply isn't true anymore.
The definition of marriage is this:
The legal union of two people. Once a couple is married, their rights and responsibilities toward one another concerning property and support are defined by the laws of the state in which they live.

Of course, many people express their religion while getting married, and these same people choose to get married in a church, but they do it at the same time they get and sign a legal certificate of marriage. Marriage allows many benefits to a couple, such as shared health benefits, time off of work to care for the other if they are in the hospital, or being able to decide what happens to their loved one in a time of tragedy (such as if one person did not want to be on an artificial breathing machine, if the two were not legally married, and person one went to the hospital, person two could not tell the doctors not to put them on the breathing machine.).
There is also the point of simply being able to say that they are married.

This being the case, it isn't simply Republicans that don't want gay people to marry. I know republicans that want gay people to marry, and democrats that don't (granted, they seem to be a minority in both cases, but that is beside the point.)
However, many republicans either don't take kindly to radical changes (many, not necessarily most, definitely not all), or are also christian (or both). Most Christians believe that it is against the bible (and indeed, God himself) for a man to sleep with another man (and by extension, a woman to sleep with another woman). Some people feel that marriage is (and should stay) a solely religious ceremony, but fail to realize that it hasn't been for a long time (I know many atheists that have gotten married, and several that plan to sometime in the future.)

That being said, I don't think anyone needs to worry about gay marriage (unless of course, they are opposed to it) because if the past is any indication of the future (it usually is), gays will be able to marry (relatively) soon. (For example, women's suffrage, divorce (which wasn't legal before) being legalized, equal protection under law for all races, interracial relationships, and so forth)

Oh, and to the person that made a wisecrack about marrying their dog:
Your dog cannot say yes, willfully knowing what it is agreeing to, and is not capable of signing a marriage certificate. It also is not recognized by the government as a citizen.

Answer 4

Free yes but one has to have rules for all to live bye. Most feel marriage is between a man and a woman. They do not need to be married there are other options. Peace

Answer 5

You are mistaken. Republicans have never told homosexuals that they cannot get married. They can. Only remember, that a marriage is between a man and a woman by definition.

There have always been taboos about who can marry and who cannot.
No polygalmy - you can only have one legal spouse.
No incest - you can't marry certain level of relations, such as your sibling.
No marrying minors - we understand that one.

Are you going to claim that people in those circumstances are being denied their freedoms? I don't think so. Thousands of years of human existance has never defined marriage to include same sex, so it's a bit lame to single out Republicans.

Answer 6

Not all Republicans. Either way, I DON'T CARE ABOUT GAY MARRIAGE. There are much more important issues in the world, that we must deal with. It is a base issue for both sides, and I find that to be absurd.

Answer 7

Does it require marriage to be happy? Why do gays feel they have the right to RELIGIOUS ceremonies that don't apply to their way of life? I would not expect to be admitted to an all girls school as I am a male. Should I rant around and cry that I am not able to be happy because I am not allowed in an all girls school? Of course not.... I can still get an education... as good as theirs from a school in which I qualify for. How are Republicans telling Gays how to live? Did we ban them from the country? Are they not allowed to go out in public? What can't they do that you and I can do? They can live together... they can sleep together... they can adopt or even have children if they choose... They can have power of Attorney over each other thereby giving them legal power to make decisions for one another.... so what is it YOU are crying about? They can't partake in a religious ceremony built around the union of a MAN AND A WOMAN?

Stop your whining and hate filled inaccuracies.

Jim W. when was being Gay a religion?

Answer 8

Why won't the government allow me the right to pursue happiness by giving me a million dollars. The "right to pursue happiness" is from the Declaration of Independence" and has nothing to do with the rights granted by the US government.

Answer 9

Why? Because their religion and their God tells them it is wrong. Unfortunately there are groups of people who think that what their personal religious beliefs should be crammed down the throat of everyone else. At one point slavery was legal in the US people fought against outlawing that. At one point women voting and owning property was illegal, people fought against giving them those rights also. The pro gay marriage people are right in this argument and will eventually win. The US is NOT run by religion. If they want a country dictated by religion I suggest they try Saudi Arabia or any other country run by Sharia law.

If marriage is indeed a religious union blessed by God, then why do non believers get married? Why is their a need for divorce attorneys and divorce courts? Using their logic of what marriage is should one not be able to simply unmarry themselves since it is a union from God?

Answer 10

Marriage is between a man and a woman. God considers marriage a sacrament and homosexuality is an abomination to God. It isn't about being free, you have the freedom to pursue any abhorrent lifestyle you choose. People that feel homosexuality is wrong have the right not to have it shoved down their throats or their kids taught about "alternate" lifestyles against their will.

Answer 11

Agreed legislating morality in the way some conservatives want is ironically completely immoral. I have yet to see a compelling argument against gay marriage either. In fact most of the arguments I have seen are logical fallacies on the order of slippery slope and strawman arguments or completely religiously based which in terms of a government policy are pretty much irrelevant.