Really? Gay people asking for a simple right to marry each other is shoving their sexuality down your throat? Please, explain this logic of yours to me in greater detail, I am intrigued. Are you saying that if gay people are allowed to marry you will have no choice but to become gay yourself?
Here is my logic on this issue - I don't know if its been repeated downthread but here goes.
Marriage is a condition defined by religion, that the state recognizes and permits, as freedom of religion demands.
Civil Marriage is a condition permitted by the state, that in many ways mimics religious marriage - the state decides what may be considered a Civil Marriage.
Civil Union is a condition permitted by the state, that in many ways mimics civil marriage - the state decides what may constitute a Civil Union.
All states permit marriage - as freedom of religion dictates. The states themselves determine laws based on civil marriage and civil union, and what may or may not be permitted.
The first, marriage - is permitted nationally, as it falls under Freedom of Religion, and it is in The Constitution.
The second two, fall under States Rights, and are determined by the state in which the union and/or civil marriage is performed.
Now to answer the question..
- If you are gay, and wish to form a civil union with your partner within a state that permits it, that is your right.
- If you are straight, and wish to marry your partner in a church ceremony as is permitted federally, that is your right.
HOWEVER ::::
Thats not what the gay community wants, is it ?
What it wants is something that is not permitted via The Constitution, so what it should do is work toward an amendment.
Instead, what it has been doing is attempting to graft onto 'all men are created equal' which instead will work to
REMOVE federally recognized religious marriage from The Constitution. Because, there are only two courses of action ;
A ) Amendment permitting marriage of anyone to anyone. (Hard to do)
B ) Remove language that recognizes Religious Marriage federally. (Much easier to do)
--Now, lets move onto the slams at religion...
I love how you guys are all for small government, except when it's to deny people basic human rights or to shove your fairy tales...I mean religion...down people's throats.
Firstly - Regardless of one's beliefs, the United States is based on laws that derive from codes that dictate good and moral behavior in the Old & New Testament. If you dislike that condition, work to change The Constitution. It can be done. It has been done.
Secondly - When your opening sentence slams Christianity, do you really expect to end up in a civil debate ?