Originally posted by bvbProbably because marriage is a legal state of affairs, not a spiritual one.
Why is it that gays are not allowed to be married yet athiests and murderers are allowed to marry? It seems to me that Christians that condemn gay marriage need to explain why they are not marching in the streets against marriage of athiests and murderers as well.
Originally posted by whiteroseMarriage is legal, social and religious depending on the people involved. However without the legal aspect most people do not consider a union of two people as a marriage. It is only the legal aspect that is denied to gay people (in some countries).
I think that depends on whether or not the people involved are religious. Anyway, how would marriage being a legal state explain why gay people can't get maried?
In Zambia there are two types of legal marriage allowed, a traditional one which allows for polygamy and a more modern one based on an inherited British legal tradition.
In South Africa the discrimination against gay people has been declared unconstitutional and soon we should see a change in the law to allow gay marriage.
So far in South Africa, the only arguments I have heard against gay marriage are based on the belief that marriage is entirely a religious institution (which it is not).
Originally posted by whiteroseI agree. Gay marriages should be allowed. If the God squad want marriage to be a solely religious thing then all legal recognition (and special treatment because of) it should be immediately scrapped. There should be no special tax band for married couples, no inheritance laws. Nothing like that. If marriage is a legal institution (as I contend) then it should be open to anyone to marry anyone else.
I think that depends on whether or not the people involved are religious. Anyway, how would marriage being a legal state explain why gay people can't get maried?
Originally posted by scottishinnzI think that even the "God squad" still believe that marriage is social, and base their argument against gay marriage on the accusation that same-sex marriage will undermine traditional marriage and harm the rest of society.
I agree. Gay marriages should be allowed. If the God squad want marriage to be a solely religious thing then all legal recognition (and special treatment because of) it should be immediately scrapped. There should be no special tax band for married couples, no inheritance laws. Nothing like that. If marriage is a legal institution (as I contend) then it should be open to anyone to marry anyone else.
The logic behind it is a little suspect.
Originally posted by Conrau KThe evidence for their accusation? Probably something along the lines of it being "sinful" or some such....
I think that even the "God squad" still believe that marriage is social, and base their argument against gay marriage on the accusation that same-sex marriage will undermine traditional marriage and harm the rest of society.
The logic behind it is a little suspect.
Originally posted by scottishinnzhttp://www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp
The evidence for their accusation? Probably something along the lines of it being "sinful" or some such....
This is what they cite as evidence:
- Homosexual relationships do not yield the same health benefits conferred on heterosexual partners
- Same-sex marriage would increase the divorce rate
- Same-sex marriage lacks the complementariness in heterosexual relationships and is hence less fulfilling.
Originally posted by Conrau KSame-sex marriage lacks the complementariness in heterosexual relationships and is hence less fulfilling.
http://www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp
This is what they cite as evidence:
- Homosexual relationships do not yield the same health benefits conferred on heterosexual partners
- Same-sex marriage would increase the divorce rate
- Same-sex marriage lacks the complementariness in heterosexual relationships and is hence less fulfilling.
I'm sure this isn't the case for a homosexual.
Originally posted by Conrau KThe catholic clergy would have considerable experience of heterosexual marriage to guide their decision making
http://www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp
This is what they cite as evidence:
- Homosexual relationships do not yield the same health benefits conferred on heterosexual partners
- Same-sex marriage would increase the divorce rate
- Same-sex marriage lacks the complementariness in heterosexual relationships and is hence less fulfilling.
Originally posted by amannionI think we're all being a bit ignorant if we think they haven't played any sport. There was an article in The Age a few weeks ago about a rise in non-virgins entering the seminary.
Reminds me a bit of the perennial debate (tongue in cheek here): can someone who hasn't played the sport be a commentator about the sport?
And to be serious, we're not talking about priests giving sex tips to married couples but rather them helping through problems in their relationships, which of course only a hermit would have serious trouble with.
Originally posted by Conrau KSince Massachussets legalized gay marriage, there has been one case of a couple registering for a divorce. It seems to me then that gay marriage has had a reducing effect on the divorce rate, at least so far.
http://www.catholic.com/library/gay_marriage.asp
This is what they cite as evidence:
- Homosexual relationships do not yield the same health benefits conferred on heterosexual partners
- Same-sex marriage would increase the divorce rate
- Same-sex marriage lacks the complementariness in heterosexual relationships and is hence less fulfilling.