What are your views on same-sex marriage? Should it be allowed? Should same-sex couples be forced to accept a "separate-but-equal" approach towards the recognition of their union (civil unions, domestic partnerships)? If you feel that they should be allowed domestic partnerships/civil unions but not marriage, do you feel they should have the same rights as a heterosexual married couple? Should religion play a role in the government's decision of whether to allow same-sex marriage or not? Do you know any same-sex couples? If so, has their relationship affected your views on the topic?
I have tried to include all sides of the argument in the links below--the first being neutral (ideally), second being pro-marriage, and third being opposed. The fourth link is to a list of the 1138 rights only allowed to married couples.
Wikipedia's article on Same-Sex Marriage
Human Rights Campaign's page on Same-Sex Marriage
American Family Association's page on the "homosexual agenda"--articles #3,4,5,6
List of 1138 rights associated with marriage
Map of same-sex rights in Europe
Map of same-sex rights in USA
I have tried to include all sides of the argument in the links below--the first being neutral (ideally), second being pro-marriage, and third being opposed. The fourth link is to a list of the 1138 rights only allowed to married couples.
Wikipedia's article on Same-Sex Marriage
Human Rights Campaign's page on Same-Sex Marriage
American Family Association's page on the "homosexual agenda"--articles #3,4,5,6
List of 1138 rights associated with marriage
Map of same-sex rights in Europe
Map of same-sex rights in USA
Thanks for your time and thoughts,
Scott
15 comments:
When it comes to same-sex marriage, I will say I am not opposed to it, but it is still weird to me.
I see no harm gay marriage, I can't imagine a married couple acting different then a straight couple in everyday life.
There is also a clear lack of ligitamint opposition to gay marriage. The most common arguement, that its against reiligon, holds no water for me, because humanity has gone through thousands of religions; which tells me that this view will always be subject to change.
While I hold these views, if a guy came up to me and introduced the man next to him as his husband, I would be a little uncomfortable, but just because I am not comfortable with it does not mean it is moraly wrong.
Basically unless there is a clear-cut reason that proves gay marriage is wrong I will not condemn it just because it makes me uncomfortbable.
-Matt
I am definitely for same-sex marriage. What is the difference between a man a woman or a same-sex marriage? If you love someone you should be allowed to marry the person you love. I think they should legalize it in every state. I think homosexuals should have the same rights as straight people what makes them different. They are human too. I know a lot of gay people and just because they are gay doesn't mean they aren't religious. I think God made us who we are and he will love us no matter what.
I was born and raised Catholic. Same sex unions are a one way pass to hell according to my church. All catholics are taught that marriage is to be between a man and a women. Some of the older generation will even snub you if you are acquaintances with a gay person. However, this is one issue I think the Catholic Church has a double standard on. We say gay marriage is wrong, but at the same time we say we have a forgiving and understanding God. If being homosexual is the way God made you, then how can it be wrong???
With that being said, I would also like to say that i do have gay friends.I often find myself being caught between my friends and my faith. I was friends with them before they " came out", and wasnt going to abandon a friendship because of a sexual preference. To me, that would be just as bad as leaving a friend because they like someone of a different race.
I do not necessarly agree with same sex marriages ( meaning I wont be marching for the cause anytime soon), but I do think they should have rights. People are people, and Love is Love.
I do not think the prejudice gays go through is right at all.
CRAP! i forgot to sign my name!!!!!! The one that starts out " i was born and raised catholic" is .....
Cassandra Griffith's
I'm a Christian, so I was raised to believe that homosexuality is wrong. I was raised to believe that lying, cheating, stealing, cursing, etc. is wrong too. And you know, people do those things. Who hasn't told a lie before? We curse like sailors! So do I condemn my brother when he lies about borrowing my DVD player without asking? Do I stop being friends with someone when they cuss in my presence? No, of course not. One sin is not worse than another, so why should homosexuals be condemned? People are people, and we all have rights. From a Christian stand point, I don't think gay marriage should be legalized because that seems like we are promoting it, but again, we all have rights.
Same sex marriage is one of today's hottest topics to talk about. To me, as long as you deeply care and love the other person, whether it's a male or a female, i don't care. but if you say your gay, or a lesbian, biosexual, trisexual, whatever, then stick with that person. I get so sick of people going through 5 marriages just becuase they can't figure out what they want. If you want to marry someone of the same sex as you are, then stick to it.
I personally think marriage should be reserved, as it has been historically, as a legal union between a man and a woman. I am looking at this from a christian perspective. However, I am embarrassed and ashamed at the ugly, mean, rhetoric that is spoken in the name of christianity. I believe same-sex couples should have the same civil rights as anyone else, and if those are less than those of married people, then I would support civil unions.My favorite uncle has lived with the same man for about 35 years and has a caring relationship that exceeds many heterosexual relationships. If he were to marry, obviously I would not think any differenly about him than I do now. That would be his choice. I love him. period.I am uncomfortable examining "the speck in someone else's eye, when I have a log in my own eye."
I am for same sex marriage. I feel anyone should be allowed to get married if they love each other. It should be legal everywhere. Although i was raised a catholic, going to church every Sunday and Sunday school, I feel that everyone has a right to get married to whoever. God loves everyone for who they are, he made them that way. He forgives and loves unconditionally. That is what was taught to me in school. So i don't know why they say that marriage is supposed to be for a man and woman. It kind of contradicts itself.
Some people get weird and don't know how to act when someone comes out and says they are gay. But I don't. I respect someone who can do that knowing how some people can be. My best friends little brother came out to me. I was the first person he told. I gave him a hug and said that's great. I didn't want him to feel that everyone he told would be against it. I thought that was bold of him. It has not changed my views on gay marriage.
~Jamie~
Same-sex marriage should be allowed without question. Discrimination against anyone after everything that our country has been through is just working against us. What if one's partner is in a car accident and only the spouse and family is allowed to visit them in the hospital? What if two financially stable people have been together for twenty years, yet cannot have the same health benefits as a married couple? There are benefits of marriage that domestic partnerships and civil unions cannot offer couples. As far as religion goes, it is my understanding that church should not play any role in state. If "God thinks it's wrong" is the only argument the government is offering as to why same-sex couples can't get married, then I don't see any argument at all. It angers me that people are so close minded and worried about other people. The fact that anyone seriously believes that punishing homosexuals for their sexual orientation is acceptable infuriates me. As I have said a million times, if you are worried about God's opinion of gay marriage, don't marry someone of the same sex. Same-sex couples are going to be together no matter what. It is part of life, it is part of America. Banning marriage is obviously not a deterrent, so I don't really see the point. If you don't want gay marriage as a part of your life it doesn't have to be. No one will force you to sit and watch a married homosexual couple. It is selfish to keep two people from getting married just because you think it's gross. Grow up, America.
I think that it is ok for same-sex marriages to take place. I believe that everyone deserves the same chances as other people are giving. Same-sex couples should be giving the same rights as any other couple. The government should decide to make it legal for a same-sex marriage to take place.
Katherine Schluter
I don't like the thoughts of same sex marriages. What I think isn't going to change the world. Same sex marriage should be allowed.I guess I don't see the differane in a couple that gets married over a couple that lives together. A same sex married couple should have the same rights as as a straight couple. They are citizens just like anybody else. In all honsety, I feel that reliigion shouldn't have anything to do with a government decision. Off the top of my head I can't think of any same sex couples that I know.
My views on same-sex marriages pretty much goes along with the bible teaches. In the beginning God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve or Eve and Madelyn. I think it should not be allowed because this act goes against everything the Bible teaches.I don't feel like as a heterosexual married woman, homosexuals should not have the same rights as my husband and me. Well the government should answer to a higher power when it comes to dealing with what is morally right or wrong. I do know some same sex coupples; both men and women. their relationship does not change my opinion about same-sex marriages.
No, I don't think same sex marriage should be allowed, but I don't care if same sex partners live together. I was raised in a christian household and MY interpretation of the bible doesn't think that kind of lifestyle is how God wanted us to live. That is MY view, not one taught to me by anyone. On the other hand, some of my best friends have been gay guys. I worked with several for about 7 years and they all respected the people that worked around them and did not discuss their sexual behaviors unless someone asked them about it. We even joked about it sometimes as long as people easily offended or unfamiliar with them were not around.
I really don't understand all of the gay/lesbian arguments about their rights. They have the right to go behind closed doors and do whatever they want any time they want - the same as heterosexuals. The difference is heterosexuals aren't running around talking about their rights to do it. Why do all of us have to hear about their sexual preferences? It's no one's business but theirs, so just go do whatever and be quiet about it!
If a gay couple has been together enough years for it to be considered a civil union in their state, so be it. Otherwise, I don't think they should have rights that married couples do. If they are not married, they have the same rights as any other couple that is living together out of wedlock. In other words, they are single and that is what it is.
I don't think religion should enter in to the government's decision per se, but it is a moral issue and morals are basically founded on each individuals view of right or wrong and that usually comes back to religion.
This is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people and I don't know that there are right or wrong answers. Everyone has to make their own decisions in dealing with situations that affect them and their families and come to whatever terms they must to try to understand each other. It's not an easy task.
I'm a christian and dont really believe in two people of the same sex being together. But, who am I to say it shouldnt happen because although a chrisitan I also belive that two people that love each other should be able to be together whether gay or straight.My only problems is when kids come into the picture!
I feel there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage, it is their choice and if they have strong feelings toward each other then they should have the right. Same sex relationships are okay because those people have just as much right to marry someone of the same sex as we do marrying someone of the opposite sex, I mean who the hell are we to go and tell them that they can't. I also hate it when the churches want to voice their opinion and say that it is not right and is wrong by the bible. I am probably going to hell for that last comment, but I don't care because my view is that they have the right to be happy just like every American living in the U.S..
Chris Waters
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