Controversial Issue: Gay Marriage

[Mech]

Not necessarily. He is not God.

He? 

[enwiabe]

^ that dota be added to all high school curriculums

SORRY OFF TOPIC

um.

Look, as I've said earlier, when it comes to religion, different people will interpret things differently.

But surely the word of the Holy See is as close as you can get to the true word of god?

Not necessarily. He is not God.

But how do you personally know what the correct interpretation of God's word is?

Technically, only God knows the correct interpretation of his words. So if you claim to know the correct interpretation of God's word (that he doesn't hate gays), haven't you, in that moment, become god?

[paulsterio]

Why is Christianity always assumed "right"?

[paulsterio]

you obviously got 50 in bio by using your power over the examiners LOL!

but anyway, on a more serious note, don't you think society at large has a pro-Christian and anti-other-religion sort of mentality?

[Mech]

but anyway, on a more serious note, don't you think society at large has a pro-Christian and anti-other-religion sort of mentality?

There are more Muslims than Christians in the world, I believe.

[paulsterio]

There are more Muslims than Christians in the world, I believe.

No, I was referring more so towards Australian society, there are some athiests who still think that somehow Christianity is more "normal" than say Islam.

And to address other points, yes, this is an issue about Gay Marriage, but it's hard not to involve religion when the the concepts of marriage and religion have been united over the years

[Mech]

No, I was referring more so towards Australian society, there are some athiests who still think that somehow Christianity is more "normal" than say Islam.

By saying "society at large", you did not make it clear to me whether you were talking about Australian society or globally. Atheists of Australia predominantly come from a Judeo-Christian background; Australian custom and law is steeped in such practices also. Most atheists celebrate Christmas as a part of tradition and so forth. Our culture has been largely shaped by Christianity and to a lesser extent Islam and other faiths.

So, in summary, that is because Christianity is more normalized in Australian culture than Islam.

[abd123]

They are already gay and lesbian couples scattered out throughout Australia. They might as well be homosexual weddings happening.

Homosexual Weddings will possibly happen in every western countries e.g UK, Aus, Nz, USA, Canada, but not foreign countries.

The abrahamic religons e.g. Christainity, Islam and Judaism will not ever approve gay marriages. I guess some parts of the world like; Middle East, North Africa ... etc that are overruled by these abrahamic religons... etc will not ever approve homosexual weddings. 

[paulsterio]

Hmm, it's interesting because even though we're meant to be a secular society, there's a lot of Christian values and traditions which have been ingrained into the way our society operates. Generally I think Buddhism is becoming more and more accepted, but that's because it's a religion which is simple and very easy to understand (some of my relatives are Buddhists, some are Christians) - but there seems to be a sort of anti-Islam view that some people have, idk why really :S

[Mech]

Hmm, it's interesting because even though we're meant to be a secular society, there's a lot of Christian values and traditions which have been ingrained into the way our society operates. Generally I think Buddhism is becoming more and more accepted, but that's because it's a religion which is simple and very easy to understand (some of my relatives are Buddhists, some are Christians) - but there seems to be a sort of anti-Islam view that some people have, idk why really :S

I do not think our Constitution makes any claim to being secular, but it does allow freedom of religious practice and the right to take public office despite any form of religious affiliation (which seems to include nonreligious sympathies). However, I think in practice we try and separate our State and Church. At least, this is what many are a proponent of. Buddhism is interesting. I have spoken to many psychologists who say that it is harmonious with psychological findings, but I have never really taken psychology too seriously. My interest are in neuroscience more than psychological theories. Sam Harris, a notable secularist and neuroscientist, is well known for taking part in meditation and otherwise considered religious practices of Buddhism, but he stands by meditation and so forth coinciding with his atheistic views.

A lot of the anti-Islamic culture in Australia is because of the recent terrorism movement - as if it has not existed before this current epoch - and the focus on the Taliban and its radical implementation of Sharia. However, Islam seems to be more prone to factional division and civil conflict than other faiths.

I am now curious as to how Buddhism views homosexuality.

[ninwa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_sexual_orientation

really interesting read

they are the hippies of religion, lol

[86]

Hmm, it's interesting because even though we're meant to be a secular society, there's a lot of Christian values and traditions which have been ingrained into the way our society operates. Generally I think Buddhism is becoming more and more accepted, but that's because it's a religion which is simple and very easy to understand (some of my relatives are Buddhists, some are Christians) - but there seems to be a sort of anti-Islam view that some people have, idk why really :S

Quite frankly I don't really care. As I've grown I've come to gradually separate myself from religion because I find it just a tad annoying and gets in the way of things. I feel less restricted when I disregard the influence of religion. And when people try and convert me by knocking on my door or approaching me in public? Please, I don't need it. Which then comes to gay and lesbian marriage - let them. How are they any different from heterosexual marriage and relationships? If we can be happy, why can't they? They're still people, they're absolutely no different a part from their sexual preferences, which is their personal business to begin with.

 

[paulsterio]

I'm not sure whether the constitution does or not, but the fact that our State and Church are separate leads us to being secular, although I might be wrong on this? Someone clarify?

Hmm, I'm not too sure as to the connection between Buddhism and Psychology, not an expert in those areas, so I won't say much.

I, personally, don't think it has to do with the recent terrorism movement at all, like sure there's hatred towards the Taliban and Sharia law, but I doubt that the general public has a great understanding of what Sharia Law even is, or what fundamentalist Islam entails. And it's not as if there hasn't been sort of tensions between "westerners" and Islamics in the past (in Australia).

I think Islam is more prone to factional division and civil conflict because there's different types, like the Shi'a and the Sunni, for example, I guess it's similar to the Catholic v Anglican tension once present in Ireland.

[Mech]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_sexual_orientation

really interesting read

they are the hippies of religion, lol

Buddhism teaches that sensual enjoyment and desire in general, and sexual pleasure in particular, are hindrances to enlightenment, and inferior to the kinds of pleasure (see, e.g. pīti, a Pāli word often translated as "rapture") that are integral to the practice of jhāna.

Sounds very Socratic. I read about half of the entire entry; I will have to give the rest a read when I finished with lunch. Cheers!

I'm not sure whether the constitution does or not, but the fact that our State and Church are separate leads us to being secular, although I might be wrong on this? Someone clarify?

Hmm, I'm not too sure as to the connection between Buddhism and Psychology, not an expert in those areas, so I won't say much.

I, personally, don't think it has to do with the recent terrorism movement at all, like sure there's hatred towards the Taliban and Sharia law, but I doubt that the general public has a great understanding of what Sharia Law even is, or what fundamentalist Islam entails. And it's not as if there hasn't been sort of tensions between "westerners" and Islamics in the past (in Australia).

I think Islam is more prone to factional division and civil conflict because there's different types, like the Shi'a and the Sunni, for example, I guess it's similar to the Catholic v Anglican tension once present in Ireland.

Please use quotes in future.

1. It is relatively separate, but you still have issues such as the government endorsing religious mentors in public schools. And that religion has a very strong hold on politics.

2. I think the hyperbolic tripe spun on the media channels has greatly influenced things and the perspectives of people.

3. One of the reasons. There is also the problem of no centralized doctrinal body, per se, and just Mullahs extolling their own spin of the Hadith or Qur'an.

[Special At Specialist]

You don't realise how secular Australia is until you compare us to another country like England or the USA. The USA has a lot more religious people (predominantly christian) than us and England is practically run by a Monarch with archaic religious beliefs (their obsession over historic practices and values has always seemed somewhat inferior to me).

Whilst I respect christian beliefs and morality, I oppose hatred. The bible has so many interpretations of what is okay and what isn't, but as a general rule: the more you take the bible literally, the more hatred you're going to spread.

Stick, if you don't mind me judging, I would say you're a fairly laid-back catholic. You believe the religion and the existence of a god, but you have your own opinion on it which opposes many others. One of the main ideologies which you oppose is homophobia, and I respect that. But let's face it: most catholics dislike gay people, so you are not the typical sheep.

I support gay marriage for the same reason that I defend minorities: I have empathy for other people. I can just imagine the pain, the torment and the fear that many innocent gay people face on a daily basis, most of which are inflicted upon by judgemental hypocrits. Bullying is a problem and it needs to stop. Only by recognising and acting upon the desires of others can we solve this controversial problem once and for all.