Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And finally, the only reason you've articulated against gay marriage is a religious one - you want the government to (continue to) enshrine a religions definition of marriage in secular law. That seems . . . problematic.

Where do I say anything about religion in my post? Please use caution before you jump so eagerly on the anti-religion bandwagon.

Wait - what?

You did write this, correct:

I believe that marriage is a religious ceremony that forms a union before God (or that person's "God").
Civil unions are for those who are non-believers and/or those forming a union outside of "the church".

So, to answer, "where did I say anything about religion in my post?" - the parts I quoted before, and reproduced here. Not sure why you need to ask.

Oh, snap. Yeah, I did say that. I stand by it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is marriage off limits? For a long time marriage was about combining families of a certain pedigree, obtaining property, etc. What does it matter to me personally that 2 men or 2 women marry? It doesn't affect me.

it affects others. some people take sacraments seriously.

Anonymous wrote:I would discourage people from spending their vacation dollars in MD too. It is a one party state. Very undemocratic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not gay. I'm a woman married to a man - however, the thought that a friend or a coworker would not have the same rights to marry or visit a loved one that I would. I wonder how many of these people who voted against equal rights would have voted against rights for African Americans? Would have voted against rights for women? To me it is the same thing - equal rights for everyone - or for nobody.

Please don't bring black people into this discussion. I HATE it when folks make this comparison. It's short-sighted and stupid.

you don't choose your race and you don't choose your gender. some choose their sexual orientation.

You think people choose to be gay?

yes

Even if it were true, so what? You're choosing to be ignorant, and that's your right, right? What if we started limiting your rights just because you're ignorant?

I don't agree that I am ignorant. I could choose to be gay tomorrow. Many people go from men to women back to men as its now accepted to do so. Perhaps a small percent of the population are 100% gay or 100% straight, but the vast majority are somewhere else along the spectrum. So if it is a choice, why do we need to bend over backwards to legitimize it?

Anonymous wrote:I would discourage people from spending their vacation dollars in MD too. It is a one party state. Very undemocratic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not gay. I'm a woman married to a man - however, the thought that a friend or a coworker would not have the same rights to marry or visit a loved one that I would. I wonder how many of these people who voted against equal rights would have voted against rights for African Americans? Would have voted against rights for women? To me it is the same thing - equal rights for everyone - or for nobody.

Please don't bring black people into this discussion. I HATE it when folks make this comparison. It's short-sighted and stupid.

you don't choose your race and you don't choose your gender. some choose their sexual orientation.

You think people choose to be gay?

yes

Even if it were true, so what? You're choosing to be ignorant, and that's your right, right? What if we started limiting your rights just because you're ignorant?

I don't agree that I am ignorant. I could choose to be gay tomorrow. Many people go from men to women back to men as its now accepted to do so. Perhaps a small percent of the population are 100% gay or 100% straight, but the vast majority are somewhere else along the spectrum. So if it is a choice, why do we need to bend over backwards to legitimize it?

Could you, really?
I might be belonging to that 'small percent of the population', but I'm not attracted to people of my own sex. At all.
PP,you got your math wrong. It is a small percent of the population who is bisexual, and the majority of us have clear sexual preferences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is marriage off limits? For a long time marriage was about combining families of a certain pedigree, obtaining property, etc. What does it matter to me personally that 2 men or 2 women marry? It doesn't affect me.

it affects others. some people take sacraments seriously.

Your "sacrament" doesn't change if you're married in the church. Marriage is a legal status recognized by countries and states. My marriage is strictly a civil one; I was not married in the church. Your religious sacraments do not affect me one bit and a civil marriage between same sex couples in no way affects or threatens your marriage.

Your lack of knowledge clearly demonstrates that you are unable to differentiate between the two. It's a civil rights issue, and I'm not at all surprised that someone like you fails to see it as such.

no, I've thought about it a good bit and recognize the points you make. but I don't want to lessen the importance or change the meaning of my sacrament. I'm ok with civil unions, just don't call it marriage.

Do you know the legal difference between a civil union and a marriage? I'm pretty sure you haven't a clue.

Again, it doesn't lessen the importance of your "sacrament," because a sacrament is a religious rite, not a legal one.

we can change the definition of civil unions so the same rights are afforded. stop trying to label me. I am probably sitting in the office next to you and we probably go to lunch twice a week. we just have a different opinion. sorry.

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to encourage homosexuality as I don't consider it a healthy lifestyle or a good example for kids. I don't think it is normal. My opinions.[/quote
Personally I don't think that gay people set an example that is going to change anyone's mind. Either you like to eat pussy, or you don't. Either you like to suck dick, or your don't. Laws about marriage aren't going to make people gay or not gay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you, 15:15. Sadly, not agreeing with homosexuality equals being a bigot and/or hate-filled. It's a very juvenile argument, but it works for some.

Could you please explain how it isn't bigotry? For example, if I believe that Jews are abnormal and dysfunctional based on their religion, how is that not anti-semitism?

Bigotry and anti-semitism suggest (and usually consist of) hatred. Being in disagreement with something doesn't mean you hate those who participate.

Do you need to hate something for you to disagree with it?

NotSoAnonymous wrote:Today I told my mom that I was disappointed about the NC vote, but that I had my chin up. Then I said something to the effect of "I don't care if they hate me, but they'd better not say anything nasty to my kid." (I am a gay parent)

She replied, "Oh honey, don't you get it? That feeling of wanting to protect your kids from the ugliness... That's how *I* feel, because I'm *your* mom."

I think it's this- parents friends and families of gay people who will turn the tide. Tell me my life is illegitimate all you like- I just hope you don't say it when my 60 year old mom is around. She'll mama bear your ass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What the Flock are you talking about? Where do I say that marriage is for Christians only? You take offense at my calling marriage a religious ceremony, yet you seem to conclude that this excludes Jews, Muslims and Buddhists. Last time I checked, those were religions. Looks like you should be the one checking the dictionary. Or, at the very least, some reading comprehension courses.

You say that marriage is a "religious ceremony" - presumably a Christian one. But fine. So, tell me, am I not allowed to be married by your views b/c I didn't get married in a church? Because I didn't have a religious ceremony? Are you really so presumptous to think that you have more of a right than I do to be "married" simply b/c you exchanged vows in a church?

Anonymous wrote:Does the person who thinks homosexuality is a disorder also argue against equal rights for other genetic disorders?

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to encourage homosexuality as I don't consider it a healthy lifestyle or a good example for kids. I don't think it is normal. My opinions.