I'm a firm believer that 'if it isn't harming you or others, mind your own fucking business"

Having said that, they should get marriage or whatever makes them happy just the same as a straight couple

_________________
When I was a boy I spoke as a boy, I understood as a boy, and I thought as a boy; when I became a man I took that boy outside and shot him.

the best solution is often the most simple. im with ya, man.

_________________

Seriously...why does it have to be a complicated issue. Just let them get married. They're human beings and they deserve to have the same rights that every other American born citizen is given. This is the 21st century for Christ's sake. You would think in this day and age we would stop discriminating against a group of people simply because they're "different" or a minority. In a perfect world...

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

People look into it too much. IMO the whole marriage thing to me is just a formal way for a couple to announce their committment to each other. And what is the divorce/break up rate these days. Its not very promising to begin with.

_________________
"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

It's simple fly, some people don't want other people using their word, the same way they didn't want people drinking out of their water fountains not that long ago. They are prejudiced(except they are afraid to admit it, and stand for what they believe now). The only difference is that these bigots are also cowards. Sorry if that's too harsh, but it's what I believe(my opinion anyways).

Let's check an assumption here....Marriage is NOT a right.

It's a privilege.
We don't let little kids get married just like we don't let them drive cars.
There are rules....we're talking about shifting the rules. It is not a right.

_________________
Hold my beer and watch this...

When the children are no longer children, they are afforded THE SAME rights and privileges that all other adults get, whether they are a different color, sex, or sexual preference. Wait, scratch the last one. LOL

I think comparing adults to children was a bad example.

damit dble post.

Okay, that is true...marriage is more a privilege than it is a right. But I agree with daz, comparing adults to children isn't a fair comparison. Whether it be a right or privilege, I believe all American adults should all be given the same rights and privileges regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual preference.

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

Maybe, but that doesn't invalidate my point and you didn't even try to.
Marriage is not a right...let's look at some of the other requirements and restrictions besides age

ID Requirements
Application Requirements
Residency Requirements
Waiting Periods
Previous Marriages
Fees
Tests (blood and other)
Under 18
Relationship restrictions (cousins etc)

_________________
Hold my beer and watch this...

I think the point I was making was the one fly already made. The requirement/restriction of sexual preference is prejudicial. Privilege should not be hidden behind discrimination.

This argument is weaaaaaak.
All of these promote health (cousins, blood tests), or are just silly clauses with little to no influence. "Waiting periods" -- So you have to stand in line to get your marriage recognized?? Big deal.

_________________
When I was a boy I spoke as a boy, I understood as a boy, and I thought as a boy; when I became a man I took that boy outside and shot him.

Playing devils advocate here. I think the big thing about same sex marriage is that marriage is a religious sacrement that has turned into a legal one. Marriage, as a religious sacrement, is between a man and a woman, its in the bible and is recognized that way around the world.

However, if anything should be changed, in my opinion, is the legalities behind a civil union, which is 100% a legal thing. They chould change it to give those with a civil union the same rights, legally, as a married couple. This should appease the masses, giving those with a civil union the same rights and not changing laws that have been in place regarding marriage since, what, the last couple thousand years?

However, if a same sex couple wants the religious aspect incorporated into their civil union, there are many religions out there that will bless a same sex couple. Not marry them, but bless them. I'm Episcopalian. The Presiding Bishop, which is the head honcho of the church, just put in place a whatever the word is to have same sex couples be blessed in the Episcopal church. I think its really awesome. Everyone should be accepted into God's family. We, as Christians, should treat everyone as equals adn let God be the judge if its wrong. But the sacrament of marriage should not change. It's just how I feel. I'm not homophobic, I'm just for keeping the sacrament of marriage the way it is. Between a man and a woman.

_________________
Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

Well said.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I think the religious vs. political debate is really the issue here; do you rename a marriage to a "civil union" if it took place in a courthouse, and only "marriages" occur in churches?

_________________

Well, THAT would open up a big can of stink to the argument, wouldn't it? LOL But it would draw a line that nobody could argue with, really. It would simplify the argument. Maybe. I haven't wrapped my mind around it all the way or looked at it from all angles.

_________________
Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

That really is it.

Two friends of mine got married this summer.

They got a marriage license from the County of Niagara.

The ceremony was performed by a justice of the peace in a public park.

They are 'married' in the eyes of the law, but clearly not in the eyes of the church. The two are distinct, even if you call them the same thing.

The entire argument is simply semantics around the word.

Marriage predates religion.

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

If that's an argument against my point, it's pretty weaksauce. I'm sure homosexuality predates religion, too.

_________________

...and liberty pre-dates sacraments.

How weak is that sauce?

2 people cuddling up to each other deciding they ONLY want each other pre-dates SPEECH. If anyone thinks they can copyright the term for this, they are insane. You'll have to copyright the notion of monogamy. Good luck proving that was "your" idea. "Ya, my auntie Mitochondria Eve was the first person to be monogamous, and she WASN'T gay either".