McCuistion
07-06-2006, 22:57
Did you know that I could fly to New York, bribe a crack whore with 50 bucks to agree, and marry her? My new marriage would entitle me to tax breaks, extra benefits at work, additional legal status, and would allow me to adopt children and get lower rates on insurance, loans and mortgages. I could, in fact, go to Europe, Mexico, or the Carribean for a "romantic marriage ceremony" or I could immigrate to this nation married. In either case, without any additional cost or obligation, and only on the power of my word, my marriage would be recognized by any state in this country and the federal government.
On the other hand, I could fall in love with someone of the same sex, live in a lifelong committed relationship, and be denied these rights and benefits. In fact, while same sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, it is currently illegal for someone living outside of Massachusetts to get married in Massachusetts for the sole purpose of avoiding their own state's laws. I also cannot go to Europe to marry someone of the same sex or immigrate to this nation as a married gay man and expect any of our 50 states or the federal government to recognize that marriage.
Those opposed to gay marriage have stated that same sex marriage would threaten the institution of marriage. The 53% divorce rate in this nation is a sign that marriage is an institution that isn't currently stable to begin with. While I can legally benefit from a sham marriage in any state in this nation (that practice has spawned a whole marriage industry in Las Vegas), gay marriages based on love are a threat to marriage and "the family".
The religious in this nation would have us believe that gay marriage should be illegal because homosexuality is wrong. Those same religious citizens demand that the US sanction such nations as China, Saudi Arabia and Iran because their governments force religious (either atheist or Muslim) beliefs and values on Christian minorities. Well I hate to break it to them, but the belief that homosexuality is "wrong" is a religious one, not a scientific one. Science, Medicine, Psychology and Government no longer hold that homosexuality is a choice nor that it is immoral or criminal. The fact that its ok for the religious in this nation to force their religious beliefs on minorities here is hypocricy at its best.
The Democrats in this country advocate "Civil Unions" in place of same sex marriages. This is not equality, this is an example of "seperate but equal" which was soundly defeated in the Supreme Court Decision "Brown vs. Board of Education" in 1954.
Marriage is a religious institution. It has no place in government whatsoever. Federal and State governments should ONLY administer and sell licenses for Civil Unions, and should not administer marriage in any way shape or form. They should not offer any benefits to those participating in a religious tradition, either. Any benefits available must be available to all, and therefore must be based on Civil Unions. Those wishing to get married should seek endorsement from their respective religious institutions. If one respective church would advocate gay marriage, that is no business of another church.
This is further proof that separation of church and state in this nation needs to be more strictly adhered to. The founders of our nation wanted to make sure that religious minorities were protected from the religious majority meddling in government. If current "religious right" fundamentalist Christians' involvement in government isn't an example of that fear in action, then I dont know what is.
On the other hand, I could fall in love with someone of the same sex, live in a lifelong committed relationship, and be denied these rights and benefits. In fact, while same sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, it is currently illegal for someone living outside of Massachusetts to get married in Massachusetts for the sole purpose of avoiding their own state's laws. I also cannot go to Europe to marry someone of the same sex or immigrate to this nation as a married gay man and expect any of our 50 states or the federal government to recognize that marriage.
Those opposed to gay marriage have stated that same sex marriage would threaten the institution of marriage. The 53% divorce rate in this nation is a sign that marriage is an institution that isn't currently stable to begin with. While I can legally benefit from a sham marriage in any state in this nation (that practice has spawned a whole marriage industry in Las Vegas), gay marriages based on love are a threat to marriage and "the family".
The religious in this nation would have us believe that gay marriage should be illegal because homosexuality is wrong. Those same religious citizens demand that the US sanction such nations as China, Saudi Arabia and Iran because their governments force religious (either atheist or Muslim) beliefs and values on Christian minorities. Well I hate to break it to them, but the belief that homosexuality is "wrong" is a religious one, not a scientific one. Science, Medicine, Psychology and Government no longer hold that homosexuality is a choice nor that it is immoral or criminal. The fact that its ok for the religious in this nation to force their religious beliefs on minorities here is hypocricy at its best.
The Democrats in this country advocate "Civil Unions" in place of same sex marriages. This is not equality, this is an example of "seperate but equal" which was soundly defeated in the Supreme Court Decision "Brown vs. Board of Education" in 1954.
Marriage is a religious institution. It has no place in government whatsoever. Federal and State governments should ONLY administer and sell licenses for Civil Unions, and should not administer marriage in any way shape or form. They should not offer any benefits to those participating in a religious tradition, either. Any benefits available must be available to all, and therefore must be based on Civil Unions. Those wishing to get married should seek endorsement from their respective religious institutions. If one respective church would advocate gay marriage, that is no business of another church.
This is further proof that separation of church and state in this nation needs to be more strictly adhered to. The founders of our nation wanted to make sure that religious minorities were protected from the religious majority meddling in government. If current "religious right" fundamentalist Christians' involvement in government isn't an example of that fear in action, then I dont know what is.