Originally Posted By gadzuux Yes - it's bigotry. But at the same time, it's also un-american. This natin was founded on the principles of individual liberty, freedom and equality. The constitution was devised to place limits on the power our government wields over the citizens. In other words, it protects "we the people" and puts constraints on the government. This 'gay marriage amendment' doesn't do that. Unlike everything else in the constitution, THIS amendment inscribes limitations on "we the people", thus corrupting the entire purpose of the document. Of course the antis don't care about that. They only care about furthering their own agenda - intolerence and inequality. That's not only being bigoted, it's being a "bad american". And I agree with 'ecdc' - shame should enter into this. Let's call spades for what they are. There were people who had to be dragged kicking and screaming into accepting integration within our society. We look back on those people now and see them for what they were, the last vestiges of institutionalized racism and inequality. This is no different. But maybe we can make people think twice about publicly espousing their true discriminatory beliefs. Fear and loathing is no longer fashionable.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>THIS amendment inscribes limitations on "we the people", thus corrupting the entire purpose of the document.<< Well, in fairness, there was another amendment that did limit the rights of Americans. We all know how well prohibition turned out.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster When your only argument against social equality is based on religion then I would say that the power of the constitution prevails. No one group's religious belief's can restrict the freedom of another group. That's the heart of the constitution which our government is based on.
Originally Posted By debtee I don't get why people continue to cross over Church and State? This is great news and long overdue. Hopefully this becomes a non-issue in the near future.
Originally Posted By X-san ***We do ourselves and our country a disservice when we talk to opponents of gay marriage politely.*** I SO agree with this!
Originally Posted By X-san ***Most people who are against gay marriage have some sort of religious reason for being so.*** I totally disagree. All people who are against gay marriage are hateful homophobic bigots, and they use some sort of religious reason for justification.
Originally Posted By X-san ***Josh, I am willing to bet that most people in America would think that marrying a teenager is a questionable move but you don't see them trying to limit your right to do so. Statistically, over 50% of marriages end in divorce and I'm pretty sure it's higher for people who marry when very young. Would you be willing to limit your rights in this area, based on protecting the "sanctity of marriage"?*** Am I to understand by this that Josh is marrying a TEEN? Wow. Congrats, bro!
Originally Posted By jasmine7 I'm glad to see the ban overturned, and I wish it could be in my own state of Missouri (though I'm not holding my breath for that one!). Of course, the local talk radio host is just going nuts over this. In the little over an hour that the show has been on so far this morning, we've already had a caller trying to link this to bestiality & we've had a Godwin's law encounter. The caller trying to link it to bestiality just made me sick to my stomach. He was trying to be all cute & snide, saying how he has this great affection for his dog and how he's always had this love for dogs, but now he's got this dog of his own, so how can he and his wife make sure that they and their dog are taken care of if something happens to him. The host thought this was just the greatest call, but it just made me ill. I don't get how people can support inequality and injustice. I don't care how you try to spin it, but the fact that gays cannot marry is inequality, plain and simple.
Originally Posted By X-san ***I don't care how you try to spin it, but the fact that gays cannot marry is inequality, plain and simple.*** Yup. Amazingly, it really is that plain and simple. Sadly, the fact that bigots can no longer openly attack blacks and women has opened up the door on "open bigotry" against gays or whoever else they feel is "inappropriate" to society. After the gays, they'll attack the transsexuals. After that, I suppose fat people maybe, or whoever else doesn't fit in and tow the line. At some point, I wonder if things will come full circle. THAT'D be pretty tragic, but seems inevitable (posters even here on laughingplace have indicated they'd have no problem being prejudiced against other races if their leaders told them to, not to mention the easy prejudice towards any middle-easterners these days, or practitioners of "radical" religions such as muslim, etc., etc., and so on).
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Three words: About damn time! Honestly, to this day, I NEVER got the argument why gay people shouldn't marry?? I just don't get it, but I guess I'm just naive about some of this stuff. They love each other just as much of a straight couple (the first few years anyway lol), it doesn't hurt anyone as far as **I** know, so hey, land of the free, home of the brave and all of that. I think its a joyus day for these people, although now its just more pressure from my mother for **me** to marry . I can hear it now, 'Gays and lesbians are now getting married in droves here, so what's your problem?' Okay, not so great a day lol.
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Originally Posted By X-san ***Honestly, to this day, I NEVER got the argument why gay people shouldn't marry??*** You never "got" it because there is no argument here. ***I just don't get it, but I guess I'm just naive about some of this stuff.*** Nope. Not naive. Totally correct, actually. You didn't "miss" anything (except a bunch of "sanctity of marriage crap that never bothers to address the 50% divorce rate and what that means to "sanctity", as if there were even actually some super magical "god" out there who cared anyway). ***They love each other just as much of a straight couple (the first few years anyway lol)*** LMAO! Wow, I missed you posting on LP bro! You should post more often! (the freaking voice of reason, brought to you straight from the border of the most repressive region on the planet!)
Originally Posted By u k fan For those who don't know I was brought up LDS and I still consider myself LDS (though I haven't attended since my teens), but I just can't reconcile in my head how a church can advise that Jesus left us a new commandment "Love one another" and yet still stand up for and go as far as actually preach discrimination. I have a gay relative which I'm sure makes the difference, but by denying to others what we cherish how are we loving one another? It's just wrong. This issue is the closest I come to being ashamed of my LDS heritage. Why should I have to choose between what my heart tells me is right and where my heart tells me I belong? In the words of a great man (or a fictional character) "Love one another."
Originally Posted By X-san u k fan, I had to re-read that a few times to be sure. If you are saying what I think you are saying, that is far and away the most incredible thing I have *ever* read. I'm moved to tears reading that, I really am. Put THAT in the bible!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan ecdc, you are exactly right. For too long, we have been "polite" discussing this topic. It is time to start putting a spotlight on bigotry, because that's what this is really about. How many damn times in this country's history will we have to keep going down this same well-worn path? Religious folks: I'm telling you, there is a generation growing up now that by and large, does NOT share your view that gay marriage in any way is a big deal. The harder religions practice bigotry, the more they will make themselves irrelevant in the eyes of these kids. Ignore it if you want. Focus on preaching to the choir if you like. But more and more, it's apparent that this is flat bigotry.
Originally Posted By u k fan 97 was meant for 95. I think what I'm trying to say is that religion should be the reason against discrimination not the reason for!!!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I believe I'd counsel against automatic attacks against people who oppose gay marriage. There are many people who come by their view honestly, and aren't necessarily bigots, no matter what informs their opinion, be it religion or an honest philosophical difference of opinion. I'm no stranger to shouting matches around here, but this issue is so important, let's not muck it up. However, yeah, there are some bigots. I was sitting in public food court (because well, I have access to private ones) yesterday that is generally populated by a lot of truck drivers and warehouse workers, and the level of rancor was palpable.
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