[quote name='von551']i'm all for civil unions and equal rights, no one should have less rights (benefits, etc.) because of lifestyle. what i don't understand is why can't the gay community be fine with that? if it's just a word with the same rights as is the rheteric from the community, then why the hubub? take your civil unions, but don't force them on me and the other 97% of society.
Heteros shouldn't have to jump through more hoops to get a marriage because gays can't get one.[/quote]
The thing is that: At the moment Civil Unions do NOT work. We have Civil Unions here in NJ. The problem is, some places ..like jobs (for health insurance) and hospitals (for visitations) do not recognize civil unions, only marriage. That is the current problem we have. To me, this is basically the issue.
Also, I don't understand the stuff I italicized. Can you elaborate?
Alot of churchs will "marry" gays, so i know what you really want is the STATE, not church to recognize your "marriage". THe major flaw too is if this happens and gays get civil unions and not "married" in a church are they going to say they're "married" or "civil" or "partners"? I think we all know they'll say "married", who would say- "we just got civil!"? So then is the name or definition changing? I think it'd be the definition in the long run, right?
Don't you see how silly this whole debate is? This whole thing
TRULY is over a word. People aren't allowed certain rights because of a word.
A WORD.
Also, what churches "marry" gays? I don't understand what you mean. I also never said the church should recognize it. In what I asked you, I said the only difference between a "Marriage" and a "Civil Union" is that the "Marriage" took place in a church.
HOWEVER, it is up to the church to decide. IF a church says "SURE, we welcome same sexed couples to MARRY".. Why would that be a problem?
Also, what's the next debate? When gays are granted this right, are we allowed to call our ceremony a wedding? Are we allowed to have weddings? Or will that be another word that is related between ONLY A MAN AND A WOMAN? I suspect this will be the next big gay debate.
This is all very unfortunate and I wish the government had never assumed the role of "owning" marriage, this could all be avoided. I don't like the government telling me they have the right to allow same-sex marriage just as much as you don't like them telling you they won't allow you to get same-sex marriage. the true enemy is them here, i believe, making enemy amongst citizens, thus weakening us, thus making them more powerful over us. just my slanted view...
The church, IMO, should be allowed to say No to same sex couples.
The government should not. Why do you dislike the government allowing same-sex marriage, but at the beginning you say you are for equal rights? Or are you just nit picking because of the term "marriage".