So, I'm kinda stuck. You see, personally, I'm not in favor of same sex marriage. Now, I don't have some wonderfully rhetorical argument about how allowing same sex marriages will destroy the fabric of our society or any other sensationalist, dramatic crap like that, it just goes against my personal beliefs.
And apparently I'm not alone. Roughly fifty-five percent of all Americans oppose same sex marriage. In 2000 the voters of California approved Prop 22 which would put a clause in the state constitution prohibiting same sex marriage (Prop 22 is currently being challenged in the California State Supreme Court). That being said, I guess the Govenator is doing the correct thing, right?
See, that's where I'm stuck. Because what it boils down to is, that no matter where my opinion on the subject comes from, it's still just that, an opinion. It's my opinion that homosexuality is incorrect. Does that mean it should be against the law?
Then of course you hear opponents of same sex marriage saying they are not AGAINST homosexuality (wink,wink), they are trying to protect the institution of marriage, it's sanctity. See, here, I'm not so stuck. For a country that boasts one of the world's highest divorce rates as well as drive through wedding chapels, what exactly are we trying to protect the sanctity of?
No, this all comes down to the battle of opinions and that is the reason I'm stuck. I've stated my opinion on homsexuality but I have another opinion that has some bearing on this issue. I'm of the opinion that denying anyone their rights solely on the basis of their differences is not only wrong, but immoral. You would think as a nation we would have learned this lesson as well as learned to apply it universally, as it would be to our benefit and credit.
As a nation, we should learn from history. Whenever any government has been allowed to deny certain citizens their rights, they have soon found cause to curtail the rights of all. So I want to ask you this, what scares you more, the fact that a certain group of American citizens are being denied their constitutional rights by their goverment or that Adam and Steve next door might tie the knot?
Wasalaam.
what scares me most is that my civil rights can be decided by popular vote! think about it, popular vote! (Prop 22)
If this great country used a popular vote to determine if Blacks could be free of slavery... if they could then vote... if women could vote!
I think this is an excellent point. If we had a law against everything that didn't poll well, we would be in big trouble.
People have different genetics, people grow up in different environments, people make different choices in life, and we need to respect that. We really shouldn't legislate based solely on polls and personal preferences.
We have made a lot of progress in this country over the last 200+ years. Most of our big steps forward (and many of the small ones) were due to progressive leaders who had the guts to ignore tradition and look forward with an open mind at the rights of individuals.
I recognize that the only reason I don't want same-sex marriage is only because I don't want to have to say that I'm married... to a woman! That's the only reason I'm against it and it's a purely selfish reason... I don't want my sexuality questioned. I recognize that it's a very poor reason, but I have to be honest and that's the reason. I fully support civil unions and I recognize that homosexual couples have the same feelings for each other that heterosexual couples do. I would just prefer to keep the definition of marriage the way it is along with the assumptions that go with it. And I do recognize what's been said above... if my wife and I had been born 80 years earlier we couldn't have gotten married.
Yes, very selfish of you.
I used to get annoyed at people who assumed I was staright, but I finally felt secure with my sexuality, and people can assume what they want. I'm happy with who I am. As for your fully supporting civil unions... let me tell you, they are not equal with legal marriage. If I or my "wife" passes away, the other will inherit our jointly owned home and will be saddled with half the property taxes! That wouldn't happen if we were legally married. I won't rest until equal means equal.
Your right. I wish more people were smart enough to share your viewpoint!
In this world of broken families, where divorce is treated as casual as breaking up it just strikes me as strange that this should even be an issue. I say if two people are willing to make a serious commitment to each other then why not afford them the same rights as others. For perspective, this is coming from a single, white "moderate" republican serving in the military. I've never known any gay people but the hysteria surrounding matters of this nature never cease to amaze me.
I think that the stance that you're taking is very mature. You have every right to oppose homosexuality for whatever reason, but that opposition shouldn't limit the rights of others.
Well i don't see how anyone let the Terminator win the election anyway. Is he really knowlegeable about what he's doing, or did he just win because he was famous???
And about the same sex marriage thing. i saw who cares. Let them do what they want. They love just like we love. They feel just like we feel, they pay taxes. What's the damn deal? Stop judging people!!!
I am very against gay marriage simply because it goes against everything I believe and know to be ture.
Yes I do admit that I am going against everything that is being said and dictact in today's culture of tolerance and acceptance, but I don't care.
I believe it to be morally wrong and against what Christ spoke of when He was on earth.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh..."
-Genesis 2:24-
“Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
-Hebrew 13:4-
I am not saying that I hate those of the gay community, all I am saying is that their choice of lifestlye is a sinful one. I am also not saying that I am perfect by any means. Believe my I have struggles with issues and temptations that are beyond anything anyone who I know could imagine.
But since we all struggle with that "one sin" that's more difficult that others, it is upon God whom we must call to resuce us from it.
Simple.