Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa!

[MrFun]

Vermont's legislature has overridden its Republican governor's veto and has PASSED equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. It's the fourth state now.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Public policy exception?

Yes.

[Alinestra Covelia]

There is no "L" in pubic.

[MrFun]

I've talked with other family members about the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling and I cleared up the distortions and separated them from the facts in my conversations with them.

There's a religious-right organization that is going to air television ads across Iowa saying that gay marriage will mean that people will lose their religious freedom. Lies like this are disgusting, and so far others in my family understand that this is not true.

[Ben Kenobi]

I talked with one of my sisters on the phone tonight. Turned out she was worried that this ruling would force all churches to marry gay and lesbian couples who approach them for a wedding ceremony. She's a conservative Catholic.

I educated her on this bit, saying that churches will remain free to choose whether or not they want to marry gay and lesbian couples. She sounded like she may rethink the issue now after our conversation.

It has happened here in Canada, Mr. Fun. Gay people have sued so that they could be married in the Catholic church. The have attempted to hold receptions in Catholic halls, where they have sued and won.

Yes, it's a choice between religious freedoms or gay marriage. The two do not coexist here in Canada.

[DaShi]

Good. Good.

[Alinestra Covelia]

There's a religious-right organization that is going to air television ads across Iowa saying that gay marriage will mean that people will lose their religious freedom.

I saw the ad, the Human Rights Campaign sent it to my friends and it's been going around.

I think it's a bit of a stretch, frankly. They seem to be claiming that merely legalizing one minority's actions will somehow make that mandatory for the majority. Beyond the mere fact that they're now forced to actually acknowledge that gay couples exist, I'm not entirely sure what straight people are "forced" to do.

Although Wanda Sykes did have a funny commentary about that, hinting that straight husbands may start pestering their wives for buttsecks now that they have more openly gay neighbors.

[MrFun]

It has happened here in Canada, Mr. Fun. Gay people have sued so that they could be married in the Catholic church. The have attempted to hold receptions in Catholic halls, where they have sued and won.

Yes, it's a choice between religious freedoms or gay marriage. The two do not coexist here in Canada.

You're a compulsive liar. Asher has pointed out several times before that you have lied about how churches in Canada are "forced" to marry gay couples. He's back up his claims about your lying with facts.

STFU okay? Thanks, bye.

[MrFun]

I saw the ad, the Human Rights Campaign sent it to my friends and it's been going around.

I think it's a bit of a stretch, frankly. They seem to be claiming that merely legalizing one minority's actions will somehow make that mandatory for the majority. Beyond the mere fact that they're now forced to actually acknowledge that gay couples exist, I'm not entirely sure what straight people are "forced" to do.

Although Wanda Sykes did have a funny commentary about that, hinting that straight husbands may start pestering their wives for buttsecks now that they have more openly gay neighbors.

It's more than a "bit of a stretch." It's utter, complete bullsh*t.

[Ben Kenobi]

You're a compulsive liar. Asher has pointed out several times before that you have lied about how churches in Canada are "forced" to marry gay couples.

It's happened.

I have seen little to no respect for civil liberties among the 'gay rights' crowd to their opposition. That includes, most of all the Catholic church.

Perhaps you feel better by simply dismissing my argument as lies, but every day I am confirmed in my opinion by the lack of respect held by the gay rights movement to the rights of their opposition.

I disagree with the gay rights folks, but I believe they ought to be able to pursue their cause freely and without harrassment.

We all saw how in California, where there were riots in Mormon temples and in front of Catholic churches by the gay rights folks attempting to intimidate their perceived opposition. They have published google maps for the explicit intent of intimidation for everyone who donated to Prop 8.

These are not the actions of those who are sincerely interested in rights.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

It's happened.

Fine. prove it.

I just Googled "church canada forced to marry gay couples," and all I get are links to sites talking about what bull**** the assertion is. You'd think that if it happened -- and if it did, it'd be monumental news -- there'd at least be a single hit, somewhere on Google or GoogleNews, talking about it. Surely, surely Fox or FreeRepublic or somebody would have a story about it.

But nope. Zip, nada, nothing.

Prove you're not the lying sack of **** we all assume you to be, Ben. Go ahead.

[DaShi]

That's because it's their rights that are at stake.

[Ben Kenobi]

Fine. prove it.

http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ca/05/03/2005bcca0327err1.htm

Kempling vs the BC College of Teachers.

http://www.theinterim.com/2001/sept/01religiousfree.html

Scott Brockie vs the Human Rights Commission

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/gay-man-sues-catholic-church-for-withdrawing-job-offer-559403.html

Homosexual man sues Catholic church for refusing to hire him.

http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/na.cgi?nationalupdates/050209lesbian

Lesbians sue the Knights for refusing to host their reception in their hall.

http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Overseas/2009/03/gay-couple-sues-christian-hotel-owners-for-refusing-them-double-room-23/index.html

Again, another lawsuit against Christians. This time they refused to hold a gay couple in a double bed.

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/archive/x1470901478/Religion-News-Gay-man-sues-over-Bible-verses

Yet another lawsuit, this time for publication of Christian verses deemed 'offensive to homosexuality'.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/mar/04031108.html

Lawsuit against Seton Hall (a Catholic university) for not having a gay club.

http://culturecampaign.blogspot.com/2008/01/christian-photographer-sued-by-lesbians.html

Christian photographer refuses to take photos at Lesbian wedding. Predictable response.

Prove you're not the lying sack of **** we all assume you to be, Ben. Go ahead.

Religious freedoms and gay marriage are incompatible. Those who crave acceptance through marriage cannot tolerate dissent and are willing to use the full arm of the law to force those who disagree to comply.

I wish it were not so. The Knights of Columbus case is particularly egregarious.

[Theben]

I have seen little to no respect for civil liberties among the 'gay rights' crowd to their opposition. That includes, most of all the Catholic church... Perhaps you feel better by simply dismissing my argument as lies, but every day I am confirmed in my opinion by the lack of respect held by the gay rights movement to the rights of their opposition.

I feel as though the 'opposition' you speak of is limited to you and your immediate friends. It may shock you that after being treated like **** and subclass citizens since coming out, gay people are not only acutely aware of someone who disapproves of their sexuality, but are not very tolerant of their oppressors. So you shouldn't be surprised if gay people give you the cold shoulder whenever you're in their presence.

I disagree with the gay rights folks, but I believe they ought to be able to pursue their cause freely and without harrassment.

I'd be more inclined to believe you if you didn't engage in harrassment of gay people at this site.

[Ben Kenobi]

I feel as though the 'opposition' you speak of is limited to you and your immediate friends.

Nope, it's very widespread. I know many, many people who would be otherwise inclined to support the movement who just are sick and tired of having it crammed down their throats 24/7.

It may shock you that after being treated like **** and subclass citizens since coming out, gay people are not only acutely aware of someone who disapproves of their sexuality, but are not very tolerant of their oppressors. So you shouldn't be surprised if gay people give you the cold shoulder whenever you're in their presence.

Yes, I'm well aware of that ****. I deal with it everyday.

Do you see me starting threads about disability rights, over and over again like all the gay posters on here? No.

Thank you. Just because other people treat you like crap is not justification to return the favour. I have NO sympathy for anyone who whines about a choice that they have made with a negative impact on their life. Don't like the fact that people have an issue with gay folks, then don't tell them about it. Thank you very much.

You know, one of the things I like best about Poly is the level playing field. It made me realise what it must be like to be a gay person, where no one knows about how you are different unless you tell them. It was liberating to be able to post and be treated like a real person, without having people judge you before you talk to them. Discrimination? Please!

I'd be more inclined to believe you if you didn't engage in harrassment of gay people at this site.

Harrassment! = disagreement.

Where have I made any personal attack at Mr. Fun for being gay? I am simply attacking his argument that says there is no conflict between religious freedoms and gay marriage. I am pointing out that there have been plenty of conflict intiated by gay folks against christians to force them to comply to their way of thinking.