Why is gay marriage such a big issue?

[Runningman]

Britain is about to make same sex marriage legal, giving gay couples the same rights in law as straight couples. Big controversy, you might think. Not a bit of it. There's been little or no opposition in Britain.

So why is this such a big deal in America? Are we so backward and narrow minded that we can't see the plain common sense of this, as the British do?

 

[bicker]

It isn't a matter of common sense. There is nothing "common" about "sense". Sense is always a matter of personal opinion; there is no absolute truth. And that's really the crux of the problem, because the reason for the controversy is power; specifically one group's effort to exert power over another, in the interest of dictating for everyone what a personal committment between two people should be allowed to be. Their interest is in having the secular definition of the institution match their own religious definition, rather than recognizing that reasonable people disagree about matters of belief, such as this. They resist the idea of granting people, other than themselves, the right to live in accordance with their own beliefs on matters such as this.

 

[Marseeya]

It isn't a matter of common sense. There is nothing "common" about "sense". Sense is always a matter of personal opinion; there is no absolute truth. And that's really the crux of the problem, because the reason for the controversy is power; specifically one group's effort to exert power over another, in the interest of dictating for everyone what a personal committment between two people should be allowed to be. Their interest is in having the secular definition of the institution match their own religious definition, rather than recognizing that reasonable people disagree about matters of belief, such as this. They resist the idea of granting people, other than themselves, the right to live in accordance with their own beliefs on matters such as this.

Yes.

What Bicker said.

 

[PixieDust32]

I have no problem with Gay Marriage! They should be allowed to get married.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is America. EVERYTHING is a BIG DEAL!

From nail clippers in school to Global Warming. I mean really, not a surprise.

 

[Chattyaholic]

It's funny how some people think others are "backward and narrow minded" simply because their beliefs/opinions differ from their own.

I do not feel "backward and narrow minded" but I do not believe in gay marriage. Michigan had this on the ballot and I'm glad it was defeated. I believe (as does the majority of voters here) that marriage is between one man and one woman.

 

[chris1gill]

It's funny how some people think others are "backward and narrow minded" simply because their beliefs/opinions differ from their own.

I do not feel "backward and narrow minded" but I do not believe in gay marriage. Michigan had this on the ballot and I'm glad it was defeated. I believe (as does the majority of voters here) that marriage is between one man and one woman.

But that is your opinion, and why is it that those in your group are allowed to assert your own beliefs (and that is what they are) onto another group of people? Nowhere in our constitution does it say that a gay couple cannot be married, nor does it say that a marriage is between a man and a woman. Issues such as these should never enter into the political arena, they are not political at all... Just as Bicker said, one group trying to assert it's will over another, and that is UNCONSTITUTIONAL..... Great Britain, and many Eastern European countries are much more progressive than we here in the States, and that is just sad.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Anything that promotes people showing their love and commitment to others without hurting other people is something that I am for. There are plenty of bad things going on in the world, this is a positive thing for many people and it's no skin off my nose.

 

[PixieDust32]

Anything that promotes people showing their love and commitment to others without hurting other people is something that I am for. There are plenty of bad things going on in the world, this is a positive thing for many people and it's no skin off my nose.

I agree, well said.

If the love each other go ahead, sometimes they can show more love, respect and care for each other than "regular" couples.

 

[airhead]

You can read it right here on the DIS. People think that everyone needs to live the way they believe. Why do I have to live by your beliefs? Why should you live by mine? Here in the US,we think we're so progressive. That just isn't so.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Actually when I go to England for 2 weeks in January I am studying human rights and civil liberties over there in comparison to those over here...homosexuality is one of the issues I will be focused on.

 

[punkin]

My DH and I disagree on this issue. I say, let hem get married, why should only heterosexuals have the legal protections that marriage allows? He thinks, it's against his religion and doesn't want it called "marriage" but "civil unions" granting the same privileges would be OK with him. I think they can call it "chocolate goo" as long as all the protections are there it's really a marriage.

 

[Forever42]

Honestly, the reason it's a big deal in America and not in other first world nations is that we have the largest percent of conservative Christians out of first world nations, which is the main group against gay marriage. If we had the numbers that other countries had, it wouldn't be a big deal.

 

[airhead]

Not to pick on your hubby,but his reason is exactly what bothers me. His "beliefs" are for him! They're not for me to live by and I would not expect him to live by my beliefs. Why don't these people get that? Someone,please explain that to me?

 

[smilie]

I believe it all comes down to religion as well. Some religions believe that it is a sin to be "gay". But, don't we have freedom of religion in this country?? I don't understand what the problem is with gay marriages either. The couple is most likely already in love, living together, and going to spend the rest of their lives together. A piece of paper that says they are legally a couple? What's so wrong with that? Just because they don't follow societies meaning of a "traditional" couple does not mean that they shouldn't have the right to be happy, as well as all of the other benefits of marriage. But that's JMO.

 

[punkin]

Not to pick on your hubby,but his reason is exactly what bothers me. His "beliefs" are for him! They're not for me to live by and I would not expect him to live by my beliefs. Why don't these people get that? Someone,please explain that to me?

Well, I can't explain it and my DH has not been able to explain it to my satisfaction either. No one is asking for Gays to be married in a religious ceremony. If they can find a clergyman willing to do that, then fine, but no one can force a conservative christian minister to marry them. That's OK in my opinion, but there should be no reason why they couldn't get married at the county clerk's office or in a Las Vegas chappel by an Elvis impersonator.

 

[Spinning]

I dont' have a problem with Gay marriages in one respect. But then I do in another. Let me try and explain with out getting flamed and bashed around.
I think that same sex unions should be allowed and get all the same legal rights as a typical married couple. I think it is a total shame not to allow a loved one who is the same sex union not to have these rights. But I think that the union process should be different. I guess I am saying it isn't a church thing, but a state issue. The state should reckonize the union. If a straight couple goes to the justice of the peace to get married. It is a still a union of 2 people. They have all the legal rights of those who married in a church. It Didn't have to happen in a church. So I don't see what the big deal is if 2 people of the same sex get married by a justice of the peace or by their church that allows this union.
I just feel people who belong to a specfic church should be allowed to follow the guidelines of their church. And if they don't like the churches guide lines, then they can find another one that meets their needs. Does any of that make sense?

 

[punkin]

I just feel people who belong to a specfic church should be allowed to follow the guidelines of their church. And if they don't like the churches guide lines, then they can find another one that meets their needs. Does any of that make sense?

Yes, but that is why we have separation of church and state in this country. I don't think it would be constitutional to force gay marriage on an unwilling church, but there are plenty of churches that see nothing wrong with gay marriage and they should be allowed to officiate if they want.

Also, like you said, it can be done civilly.

Additionally, we are discussing the recognition of a marriage by the state, not the church. I think.

 

[TerriP]

It's funny how some people think others are "backward and narrow minded" simply because their beliefs/opinions differ from their own.

I do not feel "backward and narrow minded" but I do not believe in gay marriage. Michigan had this on the ballot and I'm glad it was defeated. I believe (as does the majority of voters here) that marriage is between one man and one woman.

I too live in Michigan...I too voted on this issue...I, however, was ashamed that this issue was defeated. I have never felt that my beliefs outweighed or should infringe upon the beliefs of others. I will just never understand that mentality.

Chatty, I do not think you are "backward or narrow minded" because your beliefs differ from mine. I just don't think your beliefs should dictate the rigths of others.

 

[NMAmy]

I too live in Michigan...I too voted on this issue...I, however, was ashamed that this issue was defeated. I have never felt that my beliefs outweighed or should infringe upon the beliefs of others. I will just never understand that mentality.

Chatty, I do not think you are "backward or narrow minded" because your beliefs differ from mine. I just don't think your beliefs should dictate the rigths of others.

Me, too, TerriP. It's an embarassment to the state.