Government recognizing Gay and Lesbian

When people say that allowing Gays to marry will ruin the sanctity of marriage.. I believe they are actually talking about the word marriage, not the relationship between two people without even knowing it.

What other word out there is so sanctified as marriage?

MOTHER? Even the crack *kitten* down the street can be one of those, hell even the gay crack *kitten* down the street can be a PARENT - so those words are out!

PRIEST? Nah, I'm not even going to touch that one... but that word is out too.

Straight people have disrespected the word marriage straight into an over 50% divorce rate, I say Homosexuals should be able to marry simply because they are humans but also because it could raise our average.

As a mother, if my children were fighting over something like this, I'd take it away from both of them.

This is too controversial to discuss on here. Personally, I don't agree with it, I had a gay friend who feels the exact same way. But, its up to the government to decide, they can do whatever they want, like they always have.

I don't think it's "too controversial" to discuss. As adults we can have discussions and be civil with one another in any forum. It's a subject that NEEDS to be spoken about. I mean, we are talking about fellow citizens who pay taxes, contribute to the economy and are our neighbors and their rights are not being recognized because they love a person of their same sex.

So you had a homosexual friend who did not agree with being able to marry the person he's in love with and make their own family together? Hmm, I would love to hear why he didn't believe in it.

Well, I understand its fine to discuss it, but sometimes thing's arent very civil you know? I'm all for it, long as nobody disses someone else's opinion whether they are for it or against. I personally grew up thinking it was wrong, not necessarily cause I was fed that by my family, I did study the bible when I was younger so that probably led me to it. As far as my friend, he mentioned this to me and a few others when we were hanging out like a year ago. We're merely acquaintances now, but when he said it, he basically said what would happen to traditional families? How most children had both a mother and father. That could be negatively impacted. And he said this could be reason for others to suggest a push for polygamy or things like that.

I agree with both his points, I'm not sure if his opinion has changed now, but he brought up good points.

I don't have any, and I don't think he does either. We didn't have an in depth conversation, so I can't say for sure what he meant, but he must have had a reason for it.

Isn't marriage a religious thing therefore as most religions don't recognise same sex marriage then they can't happen? Hence civil partnerships?

Er, many people marry in registry offices or similar, with no religious content at all - in fact, many civil ceremonies ban music and readings with any religious themes. Heterosexual people who marry in this way are no less 'married' than those who marry in a religious setting, surely? Why does the same not apply to homosexual couples? Why the insistence on a different terminology for what is essentially the same thing?

I am proud to live in MA where gay marriage is legal.

I'm a straight married woman but I want my friends who are gay to have the same rights I do.

I want them to have employee benefits for their spouse. If one partner is in the hospital I want the other one to be by their side.

I know so many happily married gay couples. Here in MA we not only are the only state in the US to have universal health care, we also allow gays to marry. I would be ashamed to live in a state that did not allow gays to marry.

If you don't like gay marriage then don't get one. That easy.

As a gay bloke who's been married, sorry, who has formed a Civil Partnership for over six years now since the law was changed here in the UK, I'd rather bigots had the courage of their convictions and just came right out and said "I don't agree with gay marriage because I don't like gays!" rather than hide their prejudice behind religious beliefs. It doesn't make the argument any more credible, and it unfairly tars with the same brush people who are religious, but not bigoted.

It's not that Christians hate gays at all, it is that they hate the sin. Ever heard the term "love thy neighbour as thine self"? that means that you rebuke the actions of sinners just like you would yourself when you sin.

however I believe in personal choice. As long as it is not hurting other people I have no issue with it.

I am really just in a state of confusion. I am a straight male. I personally am not remotely interested in being with another man, EVER period. I do like that for myself and cannot understand why people of the same sex would want to be with each-other, however I believe in personal choice. As long as it is not hurting other people I have no issue with it. With that being said, why would/should the Government recognize gay and lesbian marriage? I personally think the Government has ZERO rights to ANY marriage straight or gay. So please enlighten me.