North Carolina Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage, thoughts?

LuckyLeprechaun

Marriage is an institution designed to raise families, yes I know some people can't, but I'm talking about the main reason for the union.

So since I have no intention of procreating with my husband, even though I have a fully functional uterus, then my marriage is less valid?


C'mon. You know better than that.

Uisgich

For me marriage is a civil right and to not allow a group of people that right is 100% wrong. It's just like when they made interracial marriage illegal. Very sad that people still feel this way, even more so because the divorce rate is over 50% now. What are gay couples going to ruin, that we haven't already ruined ourselves? NOTHING!! Some of the couple i know that have been together the longest are gay couples, one who have been together almost 30 years. Again very sad and breaks my heart. Love is love, in every shape or form, and just because someone doesn't follow what YOU want, doesn't mean its wrong. I think people that are against gay marriage need to look deep into themselves and figure out what their own problems are before pointing the finger or judging

This! I couldn't have put it better myself

mangozulu

I think they are a bunch of lunatics personally. Why this is even an issue in government is beyond me. Leave it the the churches to be biased and judgmental, it's their job if they want it.

crisanderson27

Marriage is a religious thing, so shouldn't the church be aloud to say no.

Marriage has two components, a religious component and a secular one.

The religious component is, should always be, and hopefully will always be the domain of one's chosen religion. No religion should be forced to accept or recognize the religious component of a marriage they disagree with (this has to do with acceptance by their God or Gods, acceptance of people as members of their religion, etc). This is an important freedom to defend - the right of people to practice their religion in the way they see fit.

The secular component has more to do with inheritance law, spousal access to the deathbed and/or critical care, common law, shared property, insurance, and a series of financial and legal things that society offers to married couples. This imparts certain rights to the couple to make it easier to live as a couple.

As an example, I was married by a Justice of the Peace in a rented hall. There was absolutely no religious component to my (heterosexual) marriage. I do not ask any Church, Synagogue, or other religious institution to accept, recognize, or even acknowledge my marriage. Never have, never will.

I have devout family members to this day who refuse to accept my 20+ year marriage as valid in the eyes of their God, and think of my daughter as a *kitten* child in the eyes of their God, and I believe that is their absolute right to see it that way if they so wish, and if they refuse to allow me in their home I will accept their wishes. Regretfully, but it's their religion and their God and their home. It's too bad, because they are really nice people, but they've decided they don't want "my kind" in their life any more. And that's their RIGHT.

I will defend a religion's right to practice what they wish as vigorously as I will defend an individual's right to marry whom they wish.

I agree. And from a religious (Christian) standpoint, it shouldn't be allowed. From a civil standpoint, what does the religious standpoint have to do with it?

Even my mother, who is as absolutely anti-gay (extremely religious) as it gets...feels this way.

I mean, I'm not gay...I'll never be gay, that's my choice. If someone else is...that's THEIR choice (or whatever you consider it...it's their perogative), and I respect it, as there is no one harmed by it.

Common sense people.

PapaverSomniferum

The sad thing is that even if the amendment had not passed.. Gay marriages would still NOT be recognized in North Carolina.... the truth is that by passing the amendment they are hurting far more heterosexual couples than gay couples.... children born out of wed lock can be denied health insurance and widows lose their pensions now due to the passing of this amendment.... I'm more concerned about the elderly widows and children whose parents arent' married than homosexuals... it's just sad.. It was described as allowing gay marriges I believe to get ppl to vote for it... when the reality is that it covered far more than that and alot of the ppl who voted for the amendment may one day be negatively affected by what they voted for....

^^ this

it isn't about your religion and how much you want to impose your will on others

it's about denying families the ability to legally care for eachother

and it's incredibly sad.

bikermike5094

the people have spoken... democracy wins again!!

LoViNlIFe0225

I have a question, If the separation of church and state is so important in this country... why is everyone trying to push for legalizing gay marriages. Marriage is a religious thing, so shouldn't the church be aloud to say no.

I could be mistaken, never looked into marriage, but the only thing that changes, from being a living together situation, is someone's name changes.

This isn't really true. A lot of things change when you are "legally" married. Marriage started as a religious thing, but has become legal. You gain more rights where your partner is concerned, especially in the case of injury or death. I can't imagine anyone else having the right to say that my husband stay on or come off of a ventilator, but if we weren't legally married that decision would be made by his most immediate family member. The name change is just a symbol of the marriage...but there are many legal aspects to the commitment.

cannonsky

Marriage is a biblical idea. Where else do we get the idea from? I'm glad they banned it.

Marriage existed long before MAN created that stupid book. :flowerforyou:

So did homosexuality for that matter.

HiKaren

I think those people are absolutely dumm-*kitten*. The ones who banned it. And years from now, I think people will look back amazed at what dumm *kitten* they were. The people who want to make rules like that. Ummmm, they are the same people who think you shouldn't marry anyone thats of a different color than yourself.... They are also the same people who are unhappy in their marriages, and they beat their wives, and cheat & have affairs. It makes me sick too. I'm personally a straight female who is happily married to wonderful man. Those are the same people who lie, cheat, and steal to ahead in this world. You know those ballots are fixed don't you? Lots of tampering going on. I bet, I bet. Absolutely dumm *kitten*....

secretlobster

EpiGaiaRepens

I honestly believe marriage is a spiritual and personal emotional thing. I believe the state has no place in anyone's marriage- straight, gay, monogamous, polyamorous, polygamous, whatever.

What I do think the state should do is allow this sort of agreement under CONTRACT law. Because that's what it is, legally- a contract. Under contract law, two adults can form a contract, and they can consent to get out of that contract. I think this is where the LAW belongs.

As for "marriage"....it *IS* a religious concept for many many people. Not for me, but for many. And for that reason, the government should get out of the business of marriage.

superstankazz

Well, the people of N.C. voted and their answer was "NO". Everytime ssm is put to a vote by THE PEOPLE...the answer is ALWAYS the same, a big fat resounding "HELL NO". Welcome to democracy! The majority of voters believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. The only reason it's leagal in a few states is because of activist judges and special interest politicians. VOTERS have always said no to ssm!

LifeOnMars_

A large step backwards.

lilladie1213

Just shows how far we still have to go!!

If you don't like it, don't do it, but don't dictate what others can/cannot do!!

AMEN!!!!!

callmeBAM

30 other states already had amendments on the books saying the same thing. NC is hardly bucking the trend here.

bikermike5094

Well, the people of N.C. voted and their answer was "NO". Everytime ssm is put to a vote by THE PEOPLE...the answer is ALWAYS the same, a big fat resounding "HELL NO". Welcome to democracy! The majority of voters believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. The only reason it's leagal in a few states is because of activist judges and special interest politicians. VOTERS have always said no to ssm!

Well Said!!!

Qarol

Ah, democracy...nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

LilRedRooster

It's a ridiculous argument to say things like "Well, Biblically, that's how it's defined, so we can't go against that."

The Bible also says that if a man rapes a woman and gets her pregnant, he has to marry her. It also talks for books and books about men in polygamous marriages, and men who impregnate their maids because their wife couldn't get pregnant. Men were also allowed to sell their daughters for a good price, or stone their children publicly for misbehaving. That was all totally kosher according to the Bible, so if we're going to use the Bible to define marriage, we really should use the whole damn thing.

I mean, who doesn't agree that the idea of a man raping a woman and than marrying her is a great idea? Or men having multiple wives is awesome? Who hasn't wanted to stone their rebellious teenager, or sell their daughter when they're a bit strapped for cash? The Bible said it was done, and God obviously didn't mind then. Why not make it all happen?

Oh, right, because it's crap.

North Carolina should secede from the Union, along with Arizona, because they're an embarrassment to the good Christian people I know who actually follow the teachings of Jesus.

EpiGaiaRepens

Marriage is a biblical idea. Where else do we get the idea from? I'm glad they banned it.

The fact that it IS a biblical idea is EXACTLY why it should NOT BE IN THE LAW WHATSOEVER.

PERIOD.

Seperation of church and state.

Because some people have other books they get their marriage from- the Koran, the Torah....you know and others have oral traditions.

bhaktinstella

it is a civil rights issue - now there are second class citizens in NC, with all that will apply - in law, and in discrimination (and bullying). The NC ban also impacts hetero couples who are in civil unions, which are also banned. The folks who voted for this want to back in 1959, it seems to me. just sayin'

i live in Iowa, where we value civil rights for every citizen!

bikermike5094

Ah, democracy...nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

I hear they have openings in Iran if you care to move???

amymeenieminymo

I have a question, If the separation of church and state is so important in this country... why is everyone trying to push for legalizing gay marriages. Marriage is a religious thing, so shouldn't the church be aloud to say no.

I could be mistaken, never looked into marriage, but the only thing that changes, from being a living together situation, is someone's name changes.

Well no, in terms of a legal marriage it is a lot different from just living together. MANY gay couples have a spirutual ceremony in which their freinds and family witness them take vows in front of God, much the same way straight marriages go, but there is also the legal side of obtaining a marriage certificate and having your marriage be legally recognized by the state.

This part of it allows my husband to be on my health insurance, make decisions for me if I were incapacitated in any way, file taxes jointly, etc. People are fighting to legalize gay marriages for this reason....they can go have all of the spriritual ceremonies they want, but until they are legal they will not have any of the rights and benefits that we receive because we are legally married.

EpiGaiaRepens

Ah, democracy...nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

I love you.

p.s. NC used to have a constituitonal ban on interracial marriage too.

jnh17

Marriage is an institution designed to raise families, yes I know some people can't, but I'm talking about the main reason for the union. In essence, it's not just about who you love, or what kind of sex you have which is what homosexuality breaks down to.

Well, then. I'm assuming all couples (hetero) entering into a civil union (also commonly called "marriage" in error), should sign on the document their intent to bear children (along with medical assurance of fertility).

Thank goodness the government is here to make sure we are adhering to all these things.

Elizabeth_C34

LOL @ the people saying "they voted, let it be." In the 60's, the majority of people were opposed to the civil rights movement especially in the south. I guess we should've just listened to the populous then too right?