To those against "Gay Marriage"- So you think a homosexual's lifestyle is wrong...?
969585
It shouldn't matter if they think it's "immoral".\n\nCivil marriage laws don't exist to uphold the ideals which opponents want the institution to reflect, so the fact that, in their eyes, same sex marriage "violates" the institution is of no consequence when considering the legalization of same sex marriage.\n\nRemember: there is no clause that requires people to be capable of procreation in order to marry. There is no written or unspoken requirement compelling each couple to enter into the contract with only those intentions that are considered "pure" or "proper". There is no small print at the bottom of the actual contract which states that every person involved in the union must behave, believe or live in any certain way (besides, of course, remaining faithful to their spouse, and even that bit is often disregarded in "open" marriage and no external force tries to obligate those marriages to dissolve).\n\nThe majority may feel that the institution SHOULD represent one certain concept (i.e. that it exists strictly for making families) or set of values (i.e. according to the Christian Bible) but marriage law and contracts have never translated that desire into any sort of obligation.\n\nA man and a woman can and will get legally married for a myriad of reasons, good or bad, because they HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. A man and a man or a woman and a woman deserve THE SAME OPPORTUNITY to make it work or do it for the same "good or bad" reasons.
1042167
I hate people like that, dammit. Well, I think it's funny that opposite sex marriages are held up to the norm when heterosexuals aren't exactly doing well on the marriage floor. What is there left to ruin when most couples divorce these days?\n\nAnd also, what do they mean we need more people to reproduce, if 1/100 people are gay, that leaves 99 people to add to a 6 billion, plus population.
848695
Two people who willfully choose to join themselves in a committed relationship and who plan to stick it out through the good times and bad times, come hell or high water.\n\nSince this is the LGBT forum, I will add this. I am really angry about all the hoopla about gay marriage going on in my country (US) right now. So many people keep saying marriage is a one man + one woman only affair, but the fact of the matter is that marriage, at least in the US, is a LEGAL MATTER. If you choose to have a religious ceremony, it isn't legal until you get the marriage license issued by the state. Since it's a legal contract, I find it obscene that anyone wants to legislate that it can only be between a man and a woman. If marriage was simply a religious affair, then I would say it was up to the religious leaders of that faith to say who can and who cannot be married, but I find it repugnant that some people are not allowed to enter into a binding legal agreement simply because they happen to be of the same sex. The simple fact that I have two X chromosomes, and my partner is an XY gives us, automatically, all sorts of rights and privileges that are denied to other couples because they are the same sex. I am weary of people saying, "well, they can go to an attorney and make sure that they inherit each other's stuff, and they can go to an attorney and legally adopt each other's kids, and they can go to an attorney and give each other medical power of attorney, and they can go to an attorney..." because all of that stuff was just given to me and my husband when we married. No one in a committed relationship should have to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees getting their ducks in a row so that when something happens to one of them they can end up with a rotten judge in court and have it overturned in favor of "next of kin", who are, sadly, not always mindful of what their dearly departed would have wanted. It's all just offensive to me. \n\nOkay, sorry for the outburst. I will put my soapbox away now.
257002
It's here to stay, weather we accept it or not.  Personally, I'm opposed to gay marriage but not a gay union.\nI believe gay people are entitled to the same benefits and perks as any other citizen, as long as they're paying their way they should get entitlement.\nThe one area I find confusing is when a gay man will sell himself as a heterosexual for the purpose of marriage with a heterosexual female.  I have had two female acquaintances who have fallen into this trap and found out after tying the knot that their husbands were gay.  In both cases, the marriages ended most ricky- tick.  This was a traumatic experience for both women, one they would never forget!\nSociety is more accepting of homosexuality, today.  There is no logical reason for a homosexual to do this to an un-suspecting person.  Women beware!!!!!
1014728
Negative. \n\nThere are two schools of thought about homosexuality - that it's genetic, or it's a choice.\n\nLet's say it's genetic. Once upon a time in America, it was illegal for people of one genetic group to marry members of another group. Think I'm making that up? Look up "miscegenation"; up until a few decades ago, it was illegal for whites to marry blacks in many states in the US. That means that my so-called "interracial" marriage would have been illegal. I take that kind of thing personally.\n\nLet's say it's a choice. Can you name another choice you make that forbids you getting married? What if you couldn't get married because you're a Presbyterian, or live in Ohio, or work as a truck driver? Those are all choices, as well.\n\nPeople opposed to same-sex marriage mutter darkly about the "slippery slope" that this puts us on. What's next? they say. Polygamy? Pedophilia? Leaving aside the idiocy of comparing homosexuality to pedophilia, let me suggest an alternative to soothe their fevered imaginations:\n\nThe Protection of Marriage Amendment: "Marriage shall be defined as a union between two consenting adults."\n\nProblem solved.\nA
329570
in my opinion and my opinion only. i think that it is wrong to be gay and lesbian and be allowed to marry. i really dont hold it against people who are, cause that is part of what makes them who they are. but god intended it to be a man and woman that are married. not man and man or woman and woman. god intended it to be one way. marriage is a sacred bond between man and wife, not man and husband. but this is just my opinion, you can take it or leave it.
1078447
I have no earthly idea why people keep insisting on defining marriage!  Why is this such a big deal?  There are so many things that are truly imporant that we can put our energy into solving rather than someones desire to marry someone of the same sex.  You certainly wont stop them from having a relationship.  What are you doing that the government will decide to ban next?  Frankly, whatever goes on in my underpants is none of the governments business.  All of those who are in support of BIG GOVERNMENT telling you how to conduct your private lives had better watch out, you may get more than what you bargained for.  Obviously, since this question keeps coming up over and over, there are more people out there that have little else to do but worry about this nonsense.  If this has to do with Christianity, divorce, partner swapping, adultery, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, etc. have already made a mockery of marriage so who cares if homosexuals want a part of it.  I think there is something in that big Bible that you all are thumping that says that we have all have free will....Please stop trying to legislate morality and personal decision that have absolutly nothing to do with you.  If you dont want to marry someone of the same sex, DONT.  And no, I am not gay, I am just not so hypocritical that I feel I need to impose my lifestyle on others.
765977
Yes. If someone's 'true happiness' involved violating someone else, I would deny them.\n\nSome folks are sick and their happiness would cause pain to others.\n\nAs far as gay marriage and same-sex union, I don't care what these people do if it doesn't effect me or my community in a negative way. I go to church with, work with and socialize with gay folk and they are just like you and me with the exception that they enjoy the romantic attention of someone of their own gender.\n\nDo I have to approve of their lifestyle, no. But that is my business. I have my own opinions and have a right to them. Being called a 'breeder' is not necessarily nice but that is the view of some gays. They don't approve of my way of life but we learn to live together. I have nothing to do with their true happiness.
691139
is being gay wrong or is being aganst gays wrong i would have to sy being against them is wrong what they want is up to them not to you if your not gay good for up but you dont have to put them down either how would you like it if i said can straight people be stopped? i am not gay i think that it is wrong to catorgerize someone because of their sexually!
126273
I am a straight man.  I have had many gay friends due to my involvement in theatre.  I do not hate homosexuals.  I am also a Christian and I know lots of people who hate homosexuality.  I don't understand why it is singled out as THE sin to hate.  I have told Fat christians that I think gluttony is a sin.  I have told rich Christians that greed is a sin.  I have then asked them why their sin is less of a sin then a homsexual's sin.  I have asked these questions many times in many adult Sunday School classes.  Needless to say it doesn't make me real popular.  So now to your question.  I think a lot of people hate homosexuals simply because they are told they should.  The Christian right is constantly bombarding us with the message that homosexuality is the number one threat to the family unit.  Of cours this is stupid.  Divorce, infidelity and not spending time together are the biggest threats to the family units I know about.  When a Christian tells me that homosexuality is a sin.  I always agree that the Bible does say that a man shouldn't lay with another man.  So by the letter of the law it is a sin.  But then I ask them if they have had to fight off strong urges to sleep with members of the same sex?  They always respond NO!  Then I say isn't it odd that most of the other sins in the Bible hold some temptation for us, but this one, if we are heterosexual holds none?  I then ask them if gay marriage was legal and the gay couples got the same tax breaks and property rights as straight couples would you be tempted to turn homosexual?  Of course they say NO!  Then I zing them with "So why do you suppose that of all the sins listed in the Bible we straight Christians spend so much time and energy focusing on the one that doesn't tempt us and never will?  Isn't it possible it's a convenient way to not deal with issues that DO effect us?  Isn't it possible that it's just a way to feel superior and holy without ever having to do anything but look down on others who are different than us?  100% of the time they then answer: "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin."  This one issue is truly one of the reasons it is hard to stay active in church.  When you KNOW people are judging and being blind and feeling so secure and right about it, it can drive you crazy.  Even when I tell them that I have watched gay friends die horrible deaths of AIDS without adequate medical care because their life partner of many years could not get them on a "family" insurance plan, it makes no impact.  Now having said all of that I would like to share with you some things about the current attitude in our society that makes me dislike the Gay Rights movement.  As a heterosexual Christian male, I am judged and hated before I even have an opportunity to share who I am.  As a straight male, I get sick of being told by effeminate men what is style.  I resent being almost always portrayed in the media as not as smart as gay men, not as in touch with our feeling, not as capable of expressing emotion.  I think on any given night on television there is a lot more straight male bashing then there ever was gay bashing.  There I got it off of my chest.  This is the longest answer I've ever written.  I wonder if anyone will actually read it all the way through?
38062
I could care less either way.  I'm in a great heterosexual marriage.  I love every min of it.  Now who am I to deny the same pleasures to a couple of the same sex?  What if my neighbors were in a same sex marriage?  It wouldn't really affect me.  It's not like I'm forced to partake in thier daily life.
264113
You are talking about the now defunct "Queer as Folk". I Guess it depicts the lifestyle as it is. It would be wrong to assume that ALL gays are promiscuous, though.
955806
Yes I know someone who know longer chooses the homosexual lifestyle and they follow Christ.  Two actually.  A woman and a man.  The fell in love, got married, and have 2 kids.  They did not turn heterosexual, though.  Think of homosexuality like alcoholism.  That might make some mad, but that is the best analogy I can give.  If you are a follower of the Bible, certain things are wrong.  Just because you have a desire doesn't mean you should act upon it.  Homosexuals are just hurting people, many have poor if any relationship with their fathers and some were sexually abused as children.
996635
same sex relationships dont bother me in the slightest. yes i believe they should be allowed, and yes, it should be called Marriage. I'm straight too, so i dont think this affects me on any level, but i try to look at it from a different standpoint...what if i were straight, in a world that was homosexual? what if i was the minority, wanting the right to marry someone of the opposite gender?
652621
Beats me. One of the biggest things that turns me off to Christianity.\n\nThe Bible does speak of homosexuality being wrong. I have a problem with that. \n\nBut, it also speaks of those who follow it loving others as themselves, and that he who is without sin should throw the first stone.
209902
no offence buddy. i know we live in a society where we accept that. but truthfully, deep down we all know it's not right.\n\ndon't be gay, it's evil. (no offense)
1049336
First, I must once again I must couch an objection to the term "gay marriage" because gay people aren't looking for a new form of marriage... they're trying to join everyone else in  marrying the person they love.\n\nSecond, I think the series of answers saying "hey!  I don't object!" probably establishes that not everyone has a problem, and I'm glad they don't.\n\nHowever, as far as those who have a problem with the notion, I have read the Bible quite thoroughly, and yes, I must admit most of those who object to the concept of "gay marriage" do so because of what is written in its pages.\n\nThe thing about it, though, is that if you pay real attention to modern Christian doctrine, very little of it comes from the words of Jesus, at least in America.  It would probably inconvenience the lives of Christians far too much to have to admit Jesus forbids them most of their judgmental actions (along with quite a few other things like keeping excess wealth, publicly donating to charity and being recognized for it, eating non-kosher foods, divorcing and re-marrying, etc).\n\nFor the moment, Christianity largely seems to have become a movement for those who don't want to be righteous so much as they want to be self-righteous, which always comes with a core of egotistical judgmentalism.  It isn't enough for most people to be faithful, they have to find a way to scorn those who don't share their faith, and it often manifests in movements like this, to forbid other people rights they feel entitled to themselves on the basis of the fact they don't like the minority choice.\n\nI would object to that notion, and so would the Founding Fathers, on many grounds, though they are often pointed to as supporting the idea of America as a "Christian Nation".  To that, I would have to quote Dave Chappelle:\n\n"Hmmm... let's see... 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among those being life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'... that's a good start.  Get over here n*gger!  Bring me my dinner or I'll kill you!!!"  \n\nSo, the Founding Fathers may not have been the flawless thinkers on the subject of human rights or protecting the minority we'd like to think they are.\n\nOn the other hand, though, I would also have to quote the man who actually WROTE our Constitution, James Madison:\n\n"I must admit moreover that it may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation between the rights of religion and the civil authority with such distinctness as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points. The tendency to a usurpation on one side or the other or to a corrupting coalition or alliance between them will be best guarded against by entire abstinence of the government from interference in any way whatever, beyond the necessity of preserving public order and protecting each sect against trespasses on its legal rights by others."\n\nAnd:\n\n"Experience witnesseth that ecclesiastical establishments, instead of maintaining the purity and efficacy of religion, have had a contrary operation. During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution."\n\nOr, to put it another way:\n\n"There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and which, therefore, more needs elucidation, than the current one, that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong"\n\nThere may be conflicting quotes by other Founding Fathers, but honestly I think when it comes to considering the American Constitution, what James Madison had to say about the matter probabl