Republican politician's moving speech in favor of gay marriage.

[MrFun]

So it's possible for people to be opposed to other people being in interracial marriages without actually being racist.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Possibly


define opposed.


As I was once in a serious interracial relationship I realized that our cultural differences would be an obstacle (and so did she) and ultimately the relationship parted amicably.

As a parent, I wouldn't object (would instead be open and affirming) but would still worry that an undue source of relationship pressure might exist. Ultimately it would be my childs decision, still that doesn't mean you stop worrying.


Is that being opposed?

[Elok]

So it's possible for people to be opposed to other people being in interracial marriages without actually being racist.

Depends how you define "racist," and it's unlikely, but technically yes. I could imagine a viewpoint that the separation of the races was somehow sacred and unchangeable, but which did not claim that any one race was superior to any other. Now, such a POV would be goofy and unscientific, but not technically racist.

[Jon Miller]

So it's possible for people to be opposed to other people being in interracial marriages without actually being racist.

Honestly I know quite a few people who oppose interracial marriage because they think it will be too hard on the children/marriage.

This was I think a real concern 20 years ago, hopefully less of one now. But probably a real concern still in many areas.

JM

[Fake Boris]

They don't oppose interracial mariage. They just happen to think it's not for them.

If you oppose it to the extent you want it prohibited, it would be naive to believe in the purity of your humanitarian concerns.

[Jon Miller]

They don't oppose interracial mariage. They just happen to think it's not for them.

They don't believe it is for other people either.

JM

[Fake Boris]

Then I have a hard time believing that they're not somewhat racist.

[Wezil]

My father holds that belief.

He's racist.

[Ming]

They don't believe it is for other people either.

JM

Then they are probably racists... The "it's too hard on the children/marriage" excuse is just BS.

[Jon Miller]

I think Pax held the belief here.

I don't think it is the case (too difficult) for the part of society I live in. I still have observed it as being more difficult for (in particular) some of the african-american+white marriages I have seen.

I could imagine it might have been much more so 40 years ago.

JM
(I am very pro-interracial relationships/marriages, I just thought I would put it out there since some of you do not know me. I am just trying to say that one should understand ones opponents and not demonize them.)

[giblets]

So it's possible for people to be opposed to other people being in interracial marriages without actually being racist.

No. I agree that such people are racist.

[Hauldren Collider]

There's an important distinction. Interracial marriage didn't conflict with the basic definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years. The opposition is based entirely in racism. Gay marriage, on the other hand, while largely opposed due to homophobia, has a completely understandable, non-homophobic opposition because it is actually changing an incredibly old tradition.

[Zevico]

Though MrFun, to be fair, said that people that say "loving the sinner, hating the sin" are "I hate ******s" types, not necessarily those who oppose gay marriage (like, our President, Barack Obama).

Except for the part where Obama supports it in practice by nominating federal judges who want to "constitutionalise" a right to gay marriage and by openly refusing to enforce laws like DOMA. Obama's opposition to gay marriage is a cynical and "necessary" lie. His refusal to enforce the law on the ground that it is unconstitutional by reason of its discriminatory character is a constitutionally groundless, if politically convenient, position. And opting for political convenience in favour of the rule of law is hypocrisy, nothing more.

[DaShi]

There's an important distinction. Interracial marriage didn't conflict with the basic definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years. The opposition is based entirely in racism. Gay marriage, on the other hand, while largely opposed due to homophobia, has a completely understandable, non-homophobic opposition because it is actually changing an incredibly old tradition.

The basic definition of marriage that permitted polygamy and adultery? Where do you get your 'facts'? Seriously.

[giblets]

There's an important distinction. Interracial marriage didn't conflict with the basic definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years. The opposition is based entirely in racism. Gay marriage, on the other hand, while largely opposed due to homophobia, has a completely understandable, non-homophobic opposition because it is actually changing an incredibly old tradition.

Right, and being in favor of a man beating his wife if she disobeys him doesn't necessarily make you a misogynist if it's a tradition in your culture.