[b said:Quote[/b] (Kidan @ Oct. 04 2004,5:07)]but society as a whole is allowed to dictate what is best for the continuance of that society.
Marriage as the basic building book of the nuclear family is the ideal, and as such that is why it should be protected.
Gay unions by their very nature, deny the main reasoning for the protections afforded for marriage (i.e. Children). The fact that gays choose to be in a sexual relationship against nature (since sex is, by design, for reproduction, and homosexual relationships cannot reproduce).
you claim it is not the definition that is important, but rather the thought, but I have to say that it is the definition that is important. Marriage is, by definition the union of a man and a woman. It cannot be anything else, without drastically altering what marriage is.
To destroy an institution that has lasted thousands of years, because we don't feel like keeping the traditional and normal definition with have deep, profound and lasting effects, more than likely for the negative.
To top it off, it is the government endorsing a religion. For since my religion says that homosexuality is wrong, forcing me to accept it, forcing my children to be taught that it is right in schools, is denying me my right to freedom of religion.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]but society as a whole is allowed to dictate what is best for the continuance of that society.
In the same way that society outlawed black/white marriages 200 or so years ago? Historically, what the majority of society often is not the most moral course. Our country is set up so that the minority groups can get a say on things too, hence, the marriage amendment being rejected for the second time in both houses.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]Gay unions by their very nature, deny the main reasoning for the protections afforded for marriage (i.e. Children). The fact that gays choose to be in a sexual relationship against nature (since sex is, by design, for reproduction, and homosexual relationships cannot reproduce).
They cannot reproduce, and yet throughout all of recorded history there have been homosexuals present, regardless of whether their respective society's scorned the act of same sex intercourse or not. Clearly, this is not against nature.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]you claim it is not the definition that is important, but rather the thought, but I have to say that it is the definition that is important. Marriage is, by definition the union of a man and a woman. It cannot be anything else, without drastically altering what marriage is.
Would you please give me specific reasons why letting homosexuals marry would cause the ruination marriage? Thanks.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]you claim it is not the definition that is important, but rather the thought, but I have to say that it is the definition that is important. Marriage is, by definition the union of a man and a woman. It cannot be anything else, without drastically altering what marriage is.
The main thing that is negative here is refusing to allow homosexuals to join in something very emotional significant and symbolic for arbitrary reasons. It is not fair.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]To top it off, it is the government endorsing a religion. For since my religion says that homosexuality is wrong, forcing me to accept it, forcing my children to be taught that it is right in schools, is denying me my right to freedom of religion.
I think there is a much larger infringement of freedom on the part of the homosexuals applying for marriage here, Kidan. Yes, you should accept and tolerate homosexuals, but the government would not be 'forcing' you to do this.