Gay Marriage

Gay marriage should not be legal, because marriage should not be legal... In this country there is a mandate for separation of church and state. So why then is marriage, a religious institution, also a legal one? It cannot legally be both.

If the US government began only giving out civil unions rather than marriage licenses, they could apply to anyone. This would let marriage remain a religious institution and nothing more. Gay, strait, lesbian, and transgender couples could all get "united" legally without making religious pundits feel as if the sanctity of marriage was being trampled.

And as for marriage... As a religious institution only, the particular church that each potential couple was a part of could define marriage however they pleased as is their right. So what then of the gay person who is also catholic? This would no longer be the government's concern. This would simply become a problem that this person needs to work out with his/her religion.

There are many examples of the blurring of the division between church and state in the United States. But this is one of the most agregious ones, and incidentally, is the one that would be the easiest to mend.

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The Conversation

Right on

Ben Kedvale - 09/20/2009 - 04:13pm

 You explained that very clearly, and I totally agree. 

It's a shame though, because I don't think this position on the issue is politically viable.  At this point, the current set up is considered tradition and the majority of people in America would never see a need to change it.  Even those for same-sex marriage, i believe, would rather keep everything as it is and allow same-sex couples to get married.  

I think if you got some rich people and a few celebrities to take this point of view, then it might have a chance of catching on - sad, eh?

Amen to that!

Britney - 11/03/2009 - 06:17pm

I can't agree more! There's absolutely NO reason that Gay marriage should even be an issue within politics, simply because the only arguments that are taking place are religious. And there should most definitely be a separation of Church and State.

After all, just because the majority religion says that the institution of marriage is between a man and a woman, it doesn't mean that the minority religions (which do not necessarily agree with that statement) should be forced to bow to Christianity. After all, it's breaking the "freedom of religion" clause...

i like the way you think, but.....

....something this far out in left field doesn't really do much to help the situation today. don't get me wrong, i am with you 100% that marriage is absolutely a violation of the separation of church and state but we also swear on bibles in a court of law and use the word "God" in the pledge of allegiance. so there's definitely a tolerated (welcomed?) amount of combining religion with civil matters in our country. and it's not going to change any time soon. remember that supreme court case about getting "God" removed from the pledge of allegiance? people were up in arms that anyone suggested such a thing. can you imagine if the government chose not to recognize marriages?

so let's hope common sense will eventually win the day and people will realize that we cannot deny our fellow humans their equal rights.

KateLE - 08/25/2009 - 10:03pm

Gay marriage

I'm not sure about all the religion stuff, but i do know homosexuals should be able to get married. Them getting married doesn't hurt anyone. Even if it's all the catholics can think about and waste their time on.

reddevilsfb - 08/20/2009 - 01:44pm

Right On

I think you are right on with your argument here. I've never quite thought of approaching the gay marriage issue this way.

Earlier today I heard a story about a Methodist Church holding an "eternal union" ceremony for a same-sex couple. The church would have held a marriage ceremony, if only it were legal for them to do so. I've never understood why homosexuals try so hard to belong to institutions that obviously don't want them, and why the institutions that would welcome their union aren't allowed to make it official.

I think your proposal would make a good fix. Too bad common sense is often lost on people...

Danny - 08/18/2009 - 02:05pm