Originally posted by rkneeshaw3.0: 1. Yes, because the religious ceremony that I performed was called "marriage". Because someone wants to twist that to include something it wasnt intended to, I shouldn't have to change what I call it and what it stands for.
I think you missed that I specifically mentioned legal definition. In law, there is no difference between a civil marriage and a religious marriage. Chances are, as with most religions, your sacrament of marriage would still be protected to man and woman. To me, if the word is really that important, than we need to call all of them civil unions from a legal perspective. It seems to be something all "those gay people" seem to be okay with.
Quote: 2. No. Becasue I am married to a woman, it fits the definition of being "married".
Good. I wouldn't expect anyone to refer to their marriage as anything else because from a legal standpoint, it was called a civil union.
3. Sort of. Legally, I guess they could mean essentially the same thing. But I am "married" to the full extent of its meaning and definition, so I dont' see why it would need to be changed, unless there were civil unions. So I guess whatever they need to do to take care of legal business.
Couldn't agree more. This argument has to be based strictly on the legal sense, because that is the realm we are discussing. Now if the catholic church or some other religion decided to allow gay marriages, we are then taking on an entirely different, yet related subject.
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4 & 5. It would greatly offend me to have gays say they are married. I'll tell you why. It's because that kind of lifestyle is disgusting to me. Allowing them to say they are married disrespects what I feel is a very honorable and sacred arrangement. It has been for thousands of years. Call it whatever you want, just dont call it marriage, becuase marriage is between a man and a woman.
Since these vile gays are just looking for equal legal status, it seems that if we just replace marriage with civil union on the legal records, we are all set. The secular groups can legitimately base their definition of marriage on those beliefs, the govt treats them as equals. All that leaves for resolution is personal tolerance issues. Of course, this is the hardest to get past.
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If a law does get passed that says gays can be "married", then it will be a sad day. I won't love my wife any less, it won't have an effect on our relationship, but a part of the dignity of saying I'm "married" will be lost.
I just can't imagine allowing something like this to affect the dignity of my relationship or in anyway allow it to lessen the significance of my relationship. I bet you won't hear a single person say, "that Ryan, he and his wife sure had a great marriage before those gays started to be treated equally. now, i just don't know that his marriage means much anymore." Dignity is about poise, self-respect, self-worth, and nobility, if gay marriage lessens the dignity of your marriage, that is completely on you.
"If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit"
-Mitch Hedberg
