but does the bible specifically say that anywhere? There are lots of references that allude to it, but nothing that specifically says it. And, I'm sorry, but our country supposedly is supposed to not be based on any religion, though we know that's a lie, and if that's the case, then why should government care what it says in the bible, or any other religious text?

And I know you're in a different country, but does your constitution state that it's based on any particular religious preference, or does it say it's based on Christianity (by the way, I know this one, Section 116)?

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From my reading of the Bible, it does not say anything against gay marriage as such but it does in several passages allude to the fact that God believes the homosexual act itself is an abhorrent and unnatural act. I personally do not judge anyone as only He can do that, so it is up to the individual to live their life the way they see fit.

As far as marriage goes every inference in the Bible that I can recall is always between a man and a woman. I understand that they want to be in a committed union, I just don't understand why it has to be called a marriage. Perhaps they can come up with another name.
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it does have another name here in the states. It's called a commitment ceremony. The problem is that most states don't recognize it as they do a traditional marriage, and therefore it pretty much means nothing; legally, that is. Actually, in a couple of southern states, it would still be considered illegal for gay couples to live with each other, though most of those states have tried to repeal some of those laws over the last few years.

Of course, if we wanted to really look at it, the bible doesn't really promote having children as a positive experience either, based on Genesis, but as a necessity and punishment against women (chapter 3, verse 16). So, for me, I'm not quite sure I see the positive contained therein.

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Labor itself may not be thrilling but the act of conception and the thrill of motherhood may be a different story for many.

In Australia the gays have been granted every right that a normal couple has including tax breaks and the rest of it. They can not be discriminated against, the only place they drew the line is in regard to marriage.
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is way more progressive than here. Even with some of the stuff that's produced over here in the last 10 years or so, we still are quite the puritan society.

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And yet they want it all.
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and if they want in on that 50% divorce rate thing, who are we to deprive them and the lawyers of it? :-)

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That's exactly why I'm in favor of it. I've known several gay couples who find themselves in a legal mess when they split up. I mean, think about it. You can buy a house with practically anyone you want. But what happens when one person wants to sell and the other does not. The person has to buy them out, and often, that's very difficult. Quite often, it ends up needlessly forcing both parties into bankruptcy. Or what about when a couple splits up and one has supported the other throughout the relationship? If they are married, the judge has some legal process for giving one party a bit of compensation that we call alimony. But when the relationship isn't recognized, often, the judge has no choice but to say that it's their problem to sort out and the law can't help them. One woman I know went through a particularly vicious breakup with her girlfriend, and when I asked why it didn't go to court, she told me that she was "a black lesbian in the South, and therefore (she has) no rights". And then there are the other legal protections that come with marriage. Visitation rights in the hospital, etc.

As far as the religious idea, I understand it, but I personally reject it. If you believe it's against your God's will, then naturally, it's going to strike you as a bad idea. For me, 1) they have to answer for it, not me. 2) The legality of their relationship does not affect the legality of my relationship. They can be married to their spouse, and it really doesn't have anything to do with me or my husband. 3) Until getting married by the justice of the peace is outlawed, marriage will remain a legal institution, rather than a spiritual one. 4) I'm busy trying to get that damn log out of my eye. ;) In other words, I've got enough other "sins" to worry about than putting my stamp of approval (for all it's worth) on gay marriage. And it's not like the California Supreme Court consulted me on the case. :)

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Live and let live is my motto...unless ya piss me off then it's "every man for himself":)

it's all semantics at that point, Hutts. In America, we used to call that "separate but unequal", which was outlawed in a sense by the Supreme Court in 1954. I say in a sense because, obviously, many roots are still very deeply entrenched.

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about that one also. I don't know the full issue behind why they've banned it in California, but that doesn't seem to be a trend that's spreading across the U.S. thus far. Hey, Cali has always been a bit different; y'all sue people who have been found innocent in criminal court for civil damages; never heard of that happening here in NY, though it probably does. :-)

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you're right on that one; I acquiesce. :-)

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