The Blue Board

I agree with you. I don't see how one of those effects your religious beliefs. Same as people talking about that sanctitiy(sp) of marriage. If two gay people get married does it make you love your spouse any less?

I'm extremely unsure of what the religious freedom argument against gay marriage would be (I've never heard anyone suggest any church be forced to perform a gay marriage or anything like that).

The argument about religious freedom wrt the recent contraception issue is that some Catholic organizations are saying that their religious beliefs prevent them from supporting contraception in any way, so to force them to include coverage for contraception in their employee health benefits packages would violate their religious freedom.

I think that argument is plausible (or would be if it weren't true that 98% of Catholics use birth control anyway), but I don't think religious freedom has ever been the "end of discussion" sort of issue that Republicans/Catholic leaders/whoever else seem to think it is. I've never heard of these groups getting upset over anti-polygamy laws, which were explicitly intended to violate Mormon religious freedom. Nor do I think it makes much sense to give people blanket exceptions to public policy just because of their religious beliefs...if I worshiped the ancient Greek gods or followed the Mayan religion and consequently believed in human sacrifice, I could hardly claim exemption from murder laws on religious freedom grounds, could I?

I mean, I agree that its a pretty large stretch of an argument (especially given the 98% number I posted), I'm just saying that's what the argument is.

For people religiously opposed to same sex marriage, allowing it is the same as approving of it. Thus it's perceived as forcing them to approve of it, which is perceived as encroaching on their religious freedom.

If it is legalized, the next step is inevitably "why can't I have my gay marriage in your church?" and the descrimination flood gates are opened. I don't care if you disagree with that because it would/will happen.

I think the first part of your point is a pretty bug stretch.

i think it important to note that, The institution of marriage predates recorded human history, therefore, it becomes impossible to ascertain who initiated or put forward the idea of marriage for the first time. The oldest historical record, which dictates marriage laws dates back to the Mesopotamians. These laws are to be found in the tablet called Codex Hammurabi...

now, this obviously goes against the christian story of creation, and all of that, however, if adam and eve were the first people created, and they had 2 sons, and the one magically had a wife.. cain married his sister, which would make that legal... right?

but in reality, the practice of marriage cannot be even proved to have been established by christianity outside of using the bible for a reference...

so, they don't get to decide

so, we ARE a theocracy...

since i am now muslim... you are forcing me to approve of women being seen barefaced...

see?

shoddy reasoning that will not stand up in court according to the 16th amendment

you can practice your freedoms in your home, church, a park, wherever, except for my house, my car...

tyranny of religion should not be tolerated, even by the religious

That doesn't make sense. You can talk about hating on races, genders, sexualities all you want, but you can't practice discrimination in this country.

I don't get what's so disagreeable to you about that reality.

the thing is...

whatever belief you hold, you have no right to push it on someone else.

they are pushing THEIR belief that MARRIAGE is between a man and a woman...

some muslim sects believe that women's faces should not be seen... so it is akin to a muslim suing to say that since it is his belief that a woman's face should not be seen, all women should have to cover their faces.

what do you not get? the CHRISTIANS are using the TYRANNY of their BOOK to discriminate against the RIGHTS of AMERICAN citizens... i would think more AMERICANS would be pissed about this.

gays have fought in wars, all the rest of the same bullshit nonsense that we use to qualify everyone else as americans...

UNDER THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE... why should gays be any different?

what is so disagreeable with you and constitutional law?

Be honored. Christians believe they've found the best thing ever. I am sorry for how religious people hurt non believers all the time but be honored that they want it for others.

Don't be sooooo obtuse.

People do have the right to talk to you about Jesus. You solely have the right to walk away. Not sure what is confusing. I agree with your assertion that going forward in this society no canonical law should influence America. It isn't religiously free anymore.

And lol at your "proof that marriage predating human history proves the Bible is wrong

i never said that

but using the bible to prove the origins of marriage about as false as you can get...

we don't allow the bible as evidence in courts.

thanks