I'm a pretty devout christian. I have my morals, my rules for living, my code of conduct - but that's the kicker - they're mine. I can't/won't/don't enforce them on anyone else. The only glitch I can't wrap my head around (and perhaps hubski can help) is this: Let's say same sex marriage is "legalized". Will private institutions (like churches or adoption agencies) be forced to service same sex couples? For example, Could a church be legally compelled to marry a gay couple? Would a catholic adoption service be obligated by law to work with adoptive gay couples? I've heard religious conservatives throw out this argument, but it really sounds like a bit of a straw man, or a fear-based argument. I can't imagine a gay couple coming to my church and demanding marriage. And I assume there are enough adoption agencies around that a gay couple could find service. But I know the litigious and attention grabbing society we live in. Yet I'm optimistic enough to believe that if we can open up enough minds to legalize same sex marriage, that there wouldn't be forced compliance within churches or private organizations.
- Let's say same sex marriage is "legalized". Will private institutions (like churches or adoption agencies) be forced to service same sex couples? For example, Could a church be legally compelled to marry a gay couple? Would a catholic adoption service be obligated by law to work with adoptive gay couples?
I'd say we're only talking about civil marriage recognized by the state here. A it stands now, gay people CAN already get married by the churches that recognize that right, it is just not state sanctioned. If it is legalized, religious institutions can continue to provide marriages as they see fit, thy are just separate from state recognition. They should not be compelled to perform a religious ritual. On the second point, yeah, they damn well should have to let gay couples adopt. If they have a problem with it, they should get out of the adoption business. I feel the same about religious doctors and pharmacists. If a girl comes for the morning after pill, you can't decide you're not going to give it because of a personal preference. Not your IMO.
The initial basis for any rational discussion is that rationality will be applied. When people say that marriage in the US today reflects the traditions of marriage over the past few thousand years, they are ignorant, practicing deception, or both. IMO it's offensive for someone to blatantly disregard well-known facts and then to expect a serious audience.
- Oh, wait a minute, I forgot the most laughable part of this whole ludicrous spectacle: that it’s the Mormon Mitt Romney who’s insisting that marriage has “always” been between one man and one woman. Right—except that Romney’s own great-grandfather had five wives, before the LDS church, under massive pressure and persecution, reversed its doctrine on polygamy.