nidan

Why, why not.

I don't agree with the rational that marriage is inerhently a religious institution and hence changes to it are imposing changes to a persons religion. I do however understand this rational, just don't agree with it.

This brings up the question of civil unions. The concept being to provide all the legal and secular rights and responsibilities of marriage without the name or religious implications.

Marriage brings many legal benifits one of which is being able to file taxes as a couple and I'm sure we could list many others like inheritance, access to health information, property rights etc.

If you don't approve of it why not ?

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DogTv

PortlandCardFan

I have changed my perspective some on this. I also believe if a church is willing to marry a gay couple then all fine and dandy. Just don't force religions to marry against their beliefs.

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All Hell is breakin loose!!!!!

nothing worth having is freely given... it is earned through hard work and sacrifice.

I'm sorry Thomas!!!

82CardsGrad

I happen to believe in the traditional, historical context and definition of marriage. However, I am also strongly in favor of providing equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples. In my line of work, I deal with hundreds upon thousands of corporations in the area of benefits. More and more companies have changed the wording in their benefit policies to specifically state "spouse or partner", versus just "spouse". However, more needs to be done. Legally and socially, Civil Unions will provide the degree of formality same-sex couples are seeking.
It will bring up some interesting deabtes however... For instance, how would a legal authority (City or State) recognize the union? What sort of instruments will be used to memorialize the union? And should the union one-day dissolve, is it managed from a legal perspective, just a a divorce is today?
Socially, how does the couple celebrate the union? What if the couple is religious, is there some sort of religious ceremony as well as a wedding type celebration?

All of this can and should be worked out. I hope one day it is...

40yearfan

Yes.

NEZCardsfan

No. Because there should be no restriction on marriage for consenting adults.

Pariah

I voted yes, but I also don't have a problem with gay marriage.

LoyaltyisaCurse

I voted no because Homosexuals should be entitled to be married just like anyone else. Its not a solely religous ceremony, therefore Homosexuals deserve to same rights to marriage as the rest of us.

No reason to create something that is not needed when the rights of Homosexuals should simply be enforced.

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"Going from the Raiders receivers to Larry Fitzgerald is like trading a Spam dinner for a well-aged T-bone steak." --Dan Hanzus

When I play rock, paper, scissors, I keep a glass of water in my hand and when my opponent throws down I throw the water in his face and say "Water". Beats all three, scissors can't cut-it, paper dissolves and the rock sinks. Plus it usually surprises the hell out of them.

NEZCardsfan

People that voted yes....could traditional couples, that don't want to get fully married, also participate in a Civil Union??

Pariah

Yes, why not?

82CardsGrad

Suppose so... But why would they?

Until the legal definitions and all associated benefits were defined, it's hard to say why a hetero couple would choose a Civil Union over Marriage...

This is all ridiculous anyway... Marriage should not be such a political pawn... It is what it is and should remain so. Gays deserve better and more fair treatment. The overwhelming majortity of America feels this way.
Let's move on, more formally develop the concept and legal construct around Civil Unions, and get back to running the damm country....

NEZCardsfan

For once I agree with you.....Open Marriage to all consenting adults!! :thumup:

Derm

No

eliminate marriage and eliminate the court system relating to divorce and child support - it's a total waste of tax money to maintain a system for others personal problems.

Pariah

Lots of people don't get married in a church because they're not religious. I say give "marriage" back to the religions and give secular unions to those not of a religious ilk.

40yearfan

Yep. Course I know a few marriages that aren't so civil.

Derm

screw the ceremony, governments shouldn't be involved in marriage. You can live with anybody or anybodies you wish, why get the government involved - eliminate the marriage laws and keep all benefits to the individual - if you're going to rock the apple cart, tip it over completely. If you're going to make marriage into a sham, then get rid of it altogether.