Are you fookin' kidding me?

Honestly B and X5, I think trying to get Barry to see a rational open minded point of view is about as likely as us pulling out of Iraq tomorrow, but most important, the support the majority of this board shows really demonstrates what great people we have here, thanks to everybody

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Who says it's "morally and ethically wrong"? Who decides that? And why should that person or persons enforce their belief of what is right or wrong on the rest of the people? You said "I do believe that [marriage only for man and woman]," well, some of us believe otherwise - so why should your belief override others'?
www.letcaliforniaring.org

Blond, Berry has just as much right to his opinion as you do and he's obviously as passionate about his position as you are about yours. You have to keep in mind that Berry is a bit older than you and has a much different life experience and upbringing. You feel strongly about your position and asking him to change his opinion based on your argument would be as silly as me asking you to be a straight man because of argument XY&Z.

I don't equate his opinion on Gay Marriage being akin to being a racist in the KKK as you have suggested. I was of his opinion as early as last year; however, I've softened my position for one reason or another to the one in my earlier post on this thread. I'm somewhere in the middle in terms of our ages and I'm more of a Libertarian / Independent though I'm a registered Republican so that might play a role in my thinking on this subject.

He's not comfortable with prospect of Gay Marriage and you've make it clear that you are not comfortable with Religion. That said, a majority of homosexuals are good people who just want to do the right thing and follow what they feel and a majority of the faithful who believe in God are doing the same.

See the irony here?

With 24,000 members I don't quite think a majority has spoken. However, the majority of your progressive, liberal state HAVE spoken and the outcome was something to the tune of 61 percent in favor of banning the use of the term "Marriage" for two men or two women. That is the issue. If the ballot said "Equal Rights for Partners", most would agree you already have them or should have them.

This subject touches deep rooted values each of us holds and I don't think we can look at another person and declare his values are "wrong". To me, being gay is like being tall, short, having green eyes, etc... For the most part, you're born how you're born and you live life accordingly.

The word "marriage" has had a specific meaning for thousands of years and what you're finding is that the majority of society does not want to alter this meaning. Civil Union, Life Partner, fine, fine, fine... IMO, the vote in the most socially liberal state was to NOT change the word marriage. It wasn't a referrendum on homosexuality.

PS - Regarding the Iraq war quip - Please stop. You'll never get the big picture and you're distracting us from the other qualities you have that are valuable.

The issue is marriage provides benefits through the government (taxes etc) and thus should be available to same sex adults as well, I (as most people do) understand many people equate it with religion, and that really is the issue most at hand, it simply cannot be all the things it provides under It's umbrella and not be available to all.

Equate it, it is religious. That is why it is done by a person of whatever faith you have, or at least sanctified in that way. The point is, equal rights. Nothing else. The terminology should not be important. So a line has to be found, who 'controls' the word marriage..the church..or the government? Well considering a form of marriages are done in nearly every country, then it can't be the government...thus..the government should not be able to grant the status IMO.

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"The story is false, it's completely untrue, it's ridiculous" - John Edwards on having an affair.
"if high gas price, huge gas taxes and public transportation were the cure to oil dependance...someone please explain Europe to me. They've operated under those concepts for the last 20 years and all they have to show for it is small diesel cars"
http://www.lp.org/
I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise.

I know I'm quoting myself...

But with all the discussion on this issuse, I had hoped someone would take a stab at an answer

The rights should be all that matters and in the governments eyes that is all that matters (well, should be anyway).

Gay weddings will never be considered a marriage under "God". Predominant religions just aren't designed for it.

Religion is the crux of the problem with this issue for some.
They just don't want to say it.

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X5world - Where you come for the information but stay for the friendships

Barry, you don't know about the birds and the bees?