comment by steve

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comment by steve

steve · 4610 days ago · link · · parent · post: Traditional Marriage: One Man, Many Women, Some Girls, Some Slaves

some day we'll figure out how to get out of each others' bedrooms. until then, we're stuck. I mean, as long as children aren't being harmed, and people aren't being coerced, what is the harm?

I'm a pretty devout christian. I have my morals, my rules for living, my code of conduct - but that's the kicker - they're mine. I can't/won't/don't enforce them on anyone else.

The only glitch I can't wrap my head around (and perhaps hubski can help) is this: Let's say same sex marriage is "legalized". Will private institutions (like churches or adoption agencies) be forced to service same sex couples? For example, Could a church be legally compelled to marry a gay couple? Would a catholic adoption service be obligated by law to work with adoptive gay couples?

I've heard religious conservatives throw out this argument, but it really sounds like a bit of a straw man, or a fear-based argument. I can't imagine a gay couple coming to my church and demanding marriage. And I assume there are enough adoption agencies around that a gay couple could find service. But I know the litigious and attention grabbing society we live in. Yet I'm optimistic enough to believe that if we can open up enough minds to legalize same sex marriage, that there wouldn't be forced compliance within churches or private organizations.

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ecib · 4609 days ago · link ·

Let's say same sex marriage is "legalized". Will private institutions (like churches or adoption agencies) be forced to service same sex couples? For example, Could a church be legally compelled to marry a gay couple? Would a catholic adoption service be obligated by law to work with adoptive gay couples?

I'd say we're only talking about civil marriage recognized by the state here. A it stands now, gay people CAN already get married by the churches that recognize that right, it is just not state sanctioned. If it is legalized, religious institutions can continue to provide marriages as they see fit, thy are just separate from state recognition. They should not be compelled to perform a religious ritual.

On the second point, yeah, they damn well should have to let gay couples adopt. If they have a problem with it, they should get out of the adoption business. I feel the same about religious doctors and pharmacists. If a girl comes for the morning after pill, you can't decide you're not going to give it because of a personal preference. Not your IMO.

+discuss+discuss

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thenewgreen · 4609 days ago · link ·

Well said ecib, I've appreciated your viewpoints and insights in to this topic the past few weeks. Thanks. steve, your question is one that I too had, thanks for posing it. It's easy to forget that there are two things at play here legalities that grant rights, and religious freedom. If the kkk can exist and forbid blacks entry, I'm sure a church can exist and deny gays entry, right? The government hasn't intervened and forced churches to allow woman to hold positions of power. I think the churches would be free to exercise bigotry or acceptance as they see fit. What's encouraging to me is that so many of them seem ready to encourage acceptance. During the amendment 1 vote here in NC there were no shortage of signs of support of gay rights out front of churches where I live. -pretty cool.