Same Sex Marriage

[Knock-on]

Haven't really made my mind up about this one.

If a business offered a service to 'straight' people only then they would be villified and sanctioned so why can a religious organisation discriminate? If people are Lesbian or Gay and also religious, shouldn't they have the right to be married in front of their God? After all, most religions believe we are all 'Gods' children so if we happen to be Gay or Lesbian, isn't that Gods will?

However, people that have religious beliefs feel that same sex marriage is contrary to a basic principle of their religion so why should their Churches be made to perform this service. After all, we have Civil Ceremonies which is a legal contract; why need a religious one too? Aren't we infringing their right to prctice religion freely?

Tricky one.

[SGWilko]

If a same sex marriage is contrary to a basic principle of a specific religion, yet the leaders(s) of that religion decide they will allow same sex marriages to be conducted in their churches because we are all God's children, isn't that just hypocrisy?

The religion may well specify tolerance of all partnerships, but is tolerance to be construed the same as approval?

It is a tricky one.

Religion does not - as I understand it - endorse war or death, yet it seems to me that religion is the root cause of most wars and conflicts.

Strange really.

[Donney]

I think it is quite simple, same sex marriages mean no harm to anyone or anything. Marriage is an option and also a legal right. Therefore people should be free to marry regardless of moral or religious considerations.

[SGWilko]

Marriage is an option and also a legal right.

Yes, it is. But it depends upon how that law was originally written/intended. That is what I think ties everyone up in knots in this area.

[Bezza]

They can already get "married" - as in civil-partnership, which is a massive leap forward from the old days when homosexuality was classed as illegal. However I think allowing same-sex marriage in church is a step too far, considering it directly contradicts elements of the bible and Christian values.

Maybe let each Church decide for themselves, however there should be no law forcing anybody to allow it.

On another note, same-sex hotels should be banned for being discriminative against heterosexuals.

[SGWilko]

On another note, same-sex hotels should be banned for being discriminative against heterosexuals.

How on earth can you tell what gender a hotel is?

[gadjo_dilo]

Finally!!!! I worried that Christmas is coming and yet nobody has started a controversial debate about God/religion/church.

Interesting it was started by the guy who claimed that last night would drink some pints.....

[BDunnell]

They can already get "married" - as in civil-partnership, which is a massive leap forward from the old days when homosexuality was classed as illegal. However I think allowing same-sex marriage in church is a step too far, considering it directly contradicts elements of the bible and Christian values.

So?

On another note, same-sex hotels should be banned for being discriminative against heterosexuals.

Can you actually provide any details of such an establishment?

[BDunnell]

Unfortunately there have been instances where homosexual's have been turned away from hotels because of prejudice. As long as that is happening then I am happy with establishments offering a threat free stay for people.

Indeed. Casual homophobia is alive and well.

[BDunnell]

The issue is simple. Objections to same-sex marriage are all theoretical. Allowing it would do no practical damage whatsoever. I believe laws should be made or opposed on the basis of their potential practical effect. Therefore, there can be no reasonable argument against same-sex marriage. It isn't, as some suggest, a complicated issue at all, unless one chooses to view it through the prism of outdated beliefs. And, no matter what some might try to say, opposition to same-sex marriage has its basis firmly in homophobic attitudes; what other term can be applied to a belief that homosexuals are in some way not worthy of being married in church?

Furthermore, it is, as ever, interesting that those on the right who are normally in favour of 'freedom' only want it according to their own narrow definition. In this instance, they believe that some 'freedoms' override others. If they truly believed in the concept, they would have no objection to same-sex marriage.