Tell me what to think (the issue of gay marriages)

[Ben Kenobi]

No one's jumped up and down screaming and Bible thumping yet

You rang?

Gay marriage is about equal rights, giving gays what's given to straights and taken for granted by most of them. It doesn't make people become gay, if that's what you're worried about, but it makes the gay people's lives less miserable.

Depends on how you define marriage whether or not Gays can or can not be married. The general term is gay union to demonstrate the difference between the two.

In Canada the current policy is to allow common-law relationships to be treated the same way for straights and gays.

I think this is the best way, allow gays to be recognised on par with common-law relationships but do not allow them to be married.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Tell you what to think, Speer?

Back gay marriages. Why deny them it that right? Then after that go after silly laws against Polygamy and other dumb marriage restrictions (age is the only one that is valid, IMO).

[Al B. Sure!]

Obi-Wan:

Whats the difference? Marriage is a religious covenent... it's up to the various denominations to determine if gay marriage is an oxymoron or not.

[Al B. Sure!]

Imran:

Excuse me? Polygamy? I am not going to condone marriages that are inherently men taking advantage of women with low self-esteem and psychological problems.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by obiwan18

Depends on how you define marriage whether or not Gays can or can not be married. The general term is gay union to demonstrate the difference between the two.

In Canada the current policy is to allow common-law relationships to be treated the same way for straights and gays.

I think this is the best way, allow gays to be recognised on par with common-law relationships but do not allow them to be married.

But there is no difference, that's the whole point. Gays and straights are the same thing! They're all just humans!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Excuse me? Polygamy? I am not going to condone marriages that are inherently men taking advantage of women with low self-esteem and psychological problems.

Nice to know you have no preconcieved notions about the issue.

[Ben Kenobi]

Whats the difference? Marriage is a religious covenent... it's up to the various denominations to determine if gay marriage is an oxymoron or not.

BINGO

That's the key for Canada at least. To force a church to marry two people who are gay violates freedom of conscience and religion, under section 3 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Lorizael:

Gays and straights are the same thing! They're all just humans!

How is it a human rights issue whether or not two gay people are married in a church? Legally, their relationship is already recognised by the government as common law.

[Boris Godunov]

Lookit that gay guy in obiwan's avatar!!!! WHoo!!!

[Lorizael]

Not all marriages are religious in nature.

[Ben Kenobi]

Lookit that gay guy in obiwan's avatar!!!! WHoo!!!

Glad you approve.

Just don't be getting all hung up over the pic.

Not all marriages are religious in nature.

Lorizael:

What are the differences between a secular marriage and a common law relationship here in Canada? Not much. Not much to fight for here in Canada in terms of jumping up from a common law relationship to a secular marriage.

[DRoseDARs]

Originally posted by Albert Speer
Obi-Wan:

Whats the difference? Marriage is a religious covenent... it's up to the various denominations to determine if gay marriage is an oxymoron or not.

Why do religious people almost ALWAYS think marriage is an invention of their religion?

"Marriage," as we understand this concept, it originated as a way of cementing a good relationship between two powers, be they kingdoms or influential families. It's a legal contract, a Human invention, not a Law of Nature or Commandment from God.

[Lorizael]

It's part of making society see that gays are equal. If gays are forced to do something different - even if it is different only in name - then they will still be seen as different by the rest of society.

And where this is difference, there is discrimination, and hate, and violence.

Common law relationships in Canada (I live in the US, btw, where only one state has something like that), is most certainly an improvement, but it ain't there yet.

[orange]

2) Gay marriages should not be allowed because gay marriages create the idea of 'alternative' families that is what has now legitimized dead-beat fathers and all this bull**** today. If you take away the ideal of a husband and wife and their children then maybe no one will ever seek this ideal. Therefore, family would be harmed by gay marriages.

Who the **** taught you this bull****?

[Ben Kenobi]

If gays are forced to do something different - even if it is different only in name - then they will still be seen as different by the rest of society.

Suppose they are given the right to marry. Every single one of the churches will ask for the right not to marry gay people, because it violates their religion. So we will be back to square 1, no different from where we are now.

[Asher]

Originally posted by obiwan18
BINGO

That's the key for Canada at least. To force a church to marry two people who are gay violates freedom of conscience and religion, under section 3 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Do you understand the difference between forcing churches to marry gays and allowing churches to legally marry gays?