sam23

Gay marriage rights..

Posted on 09/30/08, 06:56 pm

I was having a discussion with a friend about whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to legally marry. My friend feels that since marriage technically is a religious institution and religions dont condone homosexuality, that gay people should not be allowed to marry. However, I am more on the fence about this. I dont really see why gay people should not be allowed to get married like everyone else. I consider myself to be a religious person, but I just dont really see why so many people are against gay people getting married.I also dont get why the govenment seems to be weary of passing a law making it legal for those who are gay to get married. Like I said, I'm on the fence because being religous I see other religious people's points of view, but at the same time I see why those who are gay would want their relationships recognized on the same level as straight people.
I was just wondering where some of you stand on the whole issue of those who are homosexual being legally allowed to marry. And why do you all think the governemnt is so hesitant to make gay marriage legal?

• Reply #1 09/30/08  8:02pm
  
  LynneC
  I think that 2 people who love each other should be able to make a legal commitment to each other. But marriage is really not a religious institution; it is a legal, binding contract, as long as it is properly filed in City Hall. A preacher can perform a service, but without the license, it means nothing. Historically, it was a means for 2 families to ally themselves with each other; the married couple were incidental to the arrangement.
• Reply #2 09/30/08  8:20pm
  
  srsnde
  Here in Germany, they recognize same sex civil unions, which gives the gay partnership legal rights regarding inheritance, insurance, adoption, alimony, child support, etc. They do not call it "marriage," but life partnerships (something to that effect). Much of Europe is this way (with the exception of a few countries). Some European countries even recognize the term "marriage." I think the idea of civil unions is a good one; civil unions protects both partners in case of divorce with a child involved or if one passes away, so there is no question of inheritance or next of kin.
• Reply #3 09/30/08  8:58pm
  
  justmarried07
  Doesn't religion also say to be accepting of everyone? Like you, I was also on the fence for a long time. I believe being gay is not a choice, and compare it to slavery. IMO, you can't help your sexuality as much as you can't control your skin color---that's what put me over the edge. I always said that if I lived back in the day, I would stand up for black rights. This is a modern day "black rights" to me... I guess it comes down to whether or not you feel it is a choice to be gay or not....
• Reply #4 09/30/08  10:23pm
  
  sam23
  Justmarried- I agree with you that religion says love and accept everyone. Thats how I've always tried to look at it. I never really looked at gay rigths as being the same as the Civil Rights movement. But I guess you are right. I mean after all the civli rights movement wasn't just about equality for black people, it included equality for all minorties and even women. I guess what really confuses me, is why does the government has such an issue with gay marriage? I guess I'm wondering what the government thinks allowing gay marriage will do that is harmful to The United States.
• Reply #5 10/01/08  6:51am
  
  srsnde
  Choice or not a choice, nurture vs nature, it shouldn't matter IMO. Prejudice is prejudice. Marriage is not only religious matter, but a legal one. Legal unions protect the partnership and the 2 in agreement. I suppose if people primarily concern themselves with the religious aspect of it, then should atheist be able to marry? Any justification against same sex civil unions/gay marriage seems backwards to me. People argue about the sanctity of marriage, but look at our divorce rate in the US, ranging from 40% to 50%! Yeah, talk about sanctification...not
• Reply #6 10/01/08  1:05pm
  
  justmarried07
  From what I hear, people were getting married for a while, just for the tax breaks, and the government had a hard time with that (I had an issue with it, as it devalued marriage, to me) So, they figure if gay marriage is legal, it would be taken advantage of even more.
  
  That's just what I hear.
• Reply #7 10/01/08  2:47pm
  
  sparklyangst
  gay marriage makes sense to me. there are those that fall in love with the same sex, they deserve the same rights that marriage gives to straight people. i think it is the ridiculous religious right trying to assert their sense of morality on laws. i find it actually quite infuriating. i am all for gay marriage.
• Reply #8 10/01/08  4:21pm
  
  sam23
  I had not heared about people using marriage for tax breaks. I hate when a few people ruin everything for the rest of us. I hope that the government wouldn't keep gay marriage from happening just because a few jerks decided to use marriage laws for personal gain. Also I would hope most people realize that allowing gay people to marry doesnt necessarily mean that more individuals would only marry for tax breaks.
• Reply #9 10/01/08  6:11pm
  
  sam23
  40 yrs, WOW thats awesome! That kind of dedication to eachother and to work out problems and not give up, takes so much work and love. I'm glad they married before one of them passed away.
• Reply #10 10/01/08  6:25pm
  
  justmarried07
  I only have 2 "liberal" views---gay marriage rights and abortion. LOL

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