Gay marriage

[Jay.C]

You quoted me!!! My life feels complete now 

Haha, glad to know I could make a difference. After all, you did give me a quote to live my academic life by.   

[Jay.C]

- "I cannot do that because of my religion" ✓
- "You cannot do that because of my religion" ×

Now this is how it should be! 100%

[nino quincampoix]

The individual voting for a representative in a representative democracy is inherently making a compromise. Few people will vote purely based on a single issue - it'll be weighing up several issues and then choosing a candidate (or, much of the time, a party) that they agree with the most. It's the job of the politicians to act on behalf of their constituents, although they can never represent all of them. Sometimes - you need to make an unpopular decision (although supporting SSM is hardly unpopular).

On point! But what I worry about is that this is an issue that gives me the impression that it will continue to resurface and cloud political debate for years to come (so long as it remains in the state in which we currently find it). A simple yes/no vote should resolve it for a few generations at least. Sure this is not exactly in keeping with democracy, although shouldn't it make everybody a little happier/less disputatious?!

[pi]

- "I cannot do that because of my religion" ✓
- "You cannot do that because of my religion" ×

Best post in this thread, where is the damned +1 button!?

[Thu Thu Train]

- "I cannot do that because of my religion" ✓
- "You cannot do that because of my religion" ×

10/10

[mahler004]

On point! But what I worry about is that this is an issue that gives me the impression that it will continue to resurface and cloud political debate for years to come (so long as it remains in the state in which we currently find it). A simple yes/no vote should resolve it for a few generations at least. Sure this is not exactly in keeping with democracy, although shouldn't it make everybody a little happier/less disputatious?!

In most other countries/US states the issue seems to disappear pretty promptly. Just as you'll catch few people arguing against no-fault divorce or interracial marriage here today, once the issue is settled, it seems to go away (although, of course, Australia is not the Netherlands, or even the US). Even now, the language among those opposed to SSM in Australia has started to shift from 'it'll happen over my dead body' to tact acceptance. Compare Tony Abbott - 'who cares' to 'I'm the only person in my family who still supports the traditional definition of marriage' in a few years.

I also think it's interesting to look at the age distribution of support/opposition for SSM. Support for SSM skews young (80%) even though there's a majority in all age groups (old poll).

[sjayne]

- "I cannot do that because of my religion" ✓
- "You cannot do that because of my religion" ×

While I think this  has good meaning, I'd like to mention that sexuality isn't a choice and that this should be more like:
I can't be anything other than the sexuality I identify as. 
Because some Christians are gay.

[faso]

While I think this  has good meaning, I'd like to mention that sexuality isn't a choice and that this should be more like:
I can't be anything other than the sexuality I identify as. 
Because some Christians are gay.

You cannot be a Christian and be gay. The bible clearly condemns homosexuality you cant simply pick and choose what suits you from your religion its either you take it as a whole or you dont at all.

[nino quincampoix]

In most other countries/US states the issue seems to disappear pretty promptly. Just as you'll catch few people arguing against no-fault divorce or interracial marriage here today, once the issue is settled, it seems to go away (although, of course, Australia is not the Netherlands, or even the US). Even now, the language among those opposed to SSM in Australia has started to shift from 'it'll happen over my dead body' to tact acceptance. Compare Tony Abbott - 'who cares' to 'I'm the only person in my family who still supports the traditional definition of marriage' in a few years.

That's an interesting and highly relevant parallel you draw. Let's hope you're right!

[keltingmeith]

You cannot be a Christian and be gay. The bible clearly condemns homosexuality you cant simply pick and choose what suits you from your religion its either you take it as a whole or you dont at all.

Actually, one's faith is their own choice.

[mahler004]

That's an interesting and highly relevant parallel you draw. Let's hope you're right!

It's also interesting to note that it took until the mid-90s for interracial marriage to become supported by a majority of Americans (Loving v. Virginia, which legalised interracial marriage was decided in 1967). 

Same sex marriage received majority support in 2010, and the court decision was made last week. Here, the Supreme Court appeared to follow the public, instead of leading it.

[faso]

Actually, one's faith is their own choice.

Actually, by definition a Christian is  someone who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. 
If you deep down believe being a homosexual is a sin and you still are you are classified as a Christian because you acknowledge that being a homosexual is wrong. However,  if you believe that being a homosexual in Christianity is okay then you are directly going against teachings of Jesus and therefore you're not a Christian.

[Thu Thu Train]

You cannot be a Christian and be gay. The bible clearly condemns homosexuality you cant simply pick and choose what suits you from your religion its either you take it as a whole or you dont at all.

Hahahaha its cute you think they don't pick and choose.

[Clockwork]

^{(Apologises for side tracking the current discussion)}

There's already been some states and counties not wanting to follow through with the SCOTUS' (Supreme Court of the United States) ruling. Louisiana has for example, claimed they will not issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples for 25 days (25 days is the amount of time the losing side can ask the SCOTUS to reconsider their ruling).

There are also some places not issuing marriage licenses to anyone (straight or gay). This will interesting as the SCOTUS ruling stated that marriage is a constitutional right under the equal protection clause and due process clause.

For those interested in reading the SCOTUS' ruling, http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf which also contains the dissents. I found Justice Scalia's dissent the most interesting to read in how it was written and the reasoning behind his vote.

[Jay.C]

You cannot be a Christian and be gay. The bible clearly condemns homosexuality you cant simply pick and choose what suits you from your religion its either you take it as a whole or you dont at all.

Well... the bible condemns many other things but you don't see all Christians abiding by them.

A list:
Eating a cheeseburger or anything that mixes meat and dairy (Exodus 23:19)
Eating fat (Leviticus 3:17)
Eating pork (Leviticus 11:7-8)
Waiting too long before consuming sacrifices (Leviticus 19:5-8)
Eating aquatic creatures lacking fins or scales (Deuteronomy 14:9-10)

The forth one is extremely applicable.

I will now proceed to ask all christian if they have consumed any cheeseburgers lately.