I'm gonna have to agree with much that you have said here.
For the record, I am a member of the Catholic Church...and yeah, we have been taking a lot of flak lately, and perhaps rightly so. But, there are corrupt Catholic priests, just as there are corrupt cops, corrupt bricklayers, and corrupt office personell. We are human, and imperfect.
I think Catholics are held to a higher standard, which is why we get so much bad press over this, so I consider it all a postive.

ANYWAY...I state all this as a preamble...as part of the Catholic Church, I consider abortion and gay marriage to be wrong...BUT...like you, I know some pretty nice people who are gay...but our church, while saying that being gay is wrong...also states specifically that God will be the ultimate judge...not man. ONly God knows what is in the heart of each of us, and what our motivations and intentions are.

Good discussion. I am a cop and can have no opinion either way because I have to be neutral...all the fricking time.

Joe...thought out comments..I love em :)

Momma Fargo...You can tell us..we won't tell I promise...(neutrality sorta sucks doesn't it?)

haha! I actually like discussing anything. But my department makes me neutral and now it is just stuck that way in my head. I don't think anymore. Ever. But I will tell you I am still hoping for World Peace. :D

There is no rage here, Mr. Bendigo...only good sense. Agree with you or not, it's hard not to enjoy the conversation.

Well thank you Bruce..Glad to see you popped in here :)

You did a nice little turnaround there!

I'm not sure calling it a union would lessen the debate. At first I thought it might, but as I begin to type, I realized it's a fundamental thought process that some people have... they consider being gay wrong, so any legal recognition of a gay couple will not sit well with them. Ever. It's sad, but true. They think it's as easy as deciding not to be gay, so they want to punish those who flagrantly 'choose' to remain so. I know... it's ridiculous, but I know people who won't consider any point of view that conflicts with their own.

Well said. There isn't much to argue about. You have summed it up well.

Kristy..I agree that there are some that just won't see another angle be it pure stuborness or maybe just the beliefs that they have grown up with. Sooner or later something has to give though... I still think that tolerance is our only chance. I have been known to be an optimist from time to time.

Rae...Thank you...I sure wish that would sum it up for more people :)

Nicely stated.

Thank you Ms. Anthropy :)

Well spoken Mr. Rage. Why can't we all just get along? I like that u posted a little controversy, it gets the juices flowing. Good to know that some people think for themselves.

Just stopping by to say Hi. Momma Fargo sent me over.

PT man....I like to think that a lot of us are thinkin (for ourselves that is). Maybe one day we will actually act on what we think :)

Hi Deb...Thanks for stopping by :)

Last time I checked, USA was over 75% Christian and founded on Christian principles. According to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin punishable by death.
Question; Does homosexuality add any benefit to a society? Can they procreate and propagate their species?
I hate to sound so judgmental but it's all in the bible. Need I say more.
Interesting post.

I totally agree that the gvt has no business telling people whom they can and can not marry. Whether I am pro gay or not,I believe it is a human rights issue and I am pro human.

I'm pretty sure (I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to politic) that gay marriage has been legalized here in Canada. I honestly don't mind if homosexuals get married or not. I think it's great for them, because it's a step further to acceptation as equals in our society. I'm for!:)

And you're right, Bendigo! If we all agreed on the same thing all the time, boy would it be BORING!!;) I love when you post your 2-cents!!

Bendigo, I think I love you! I probably vote the opposite way that you do on most things but I am STARVING for conversation with people who are willing just to have a discussion about anything without it either turning into a screaming match or being reduced to rehashing talking points heard on CNN/FOXNews.

And I have been saying for years that I think the govt's role in tracking domestic unions should be on the same level as tracking births - i.e. birth records = yes; christening/baptism/bris milah/etc. = no b/c that's the jurisdiction of one's Church/Temple/Coven of choice...likewise who-lives-together-and-wants-to-combine-income-for-tax-purposes = yes, married/handfasted/otherwise-committed-before-G-d-and/or-community = none of the state's business.

I do believe that this is the most calm discussion about gay marriage I have ever started or been a part of...I'm glad to see that it doesn't always have to turn into shouting matches..

Desertson...I agree that we were founded on christians ideals and principles. We need separation of Church and State though...Especially for things of that nature. I don't have to agree with the lifestyle, I have to respect the fact that it is each of us that need to make that choice for ourselves...

Lisa Marie...I think that it is just simply politics that shouldn't be. Agreed that regardless of my stance on homosexuality, it is a simple point of what are our rights?

Sarah..you shouldn't tell me you love when I post my 2 cents, that might make me do it more..lol

Lauren..I have to say it's certainly nice to be able to have this type of discussion without the constant mudslinging and talking points that usually follow along with it...I just might have to bring up a few more of these topics in the future... :)

OK you kind of scared me there for a minute, my first time here and I agree with you 100%, heck I have even said and written many times that people have the right to their own opinions whether I agree with them or not, they just don't have the right to shove them down my throat.

People should be treated fairly no matter what they believe nor who they choose to spend their lives with, I don't agree with the Gay lifestyle for myself but because I am not Gay does not mean that my friends who are Gay are lesser people than I.

Great Post

Hi..I am new to your blog. I am in full support of gay marriage because I think a loving family of any kind is more valuable than none at all. I read your profile and I have to say we are Angel's fans over here. However, my husband and son are avid Cowboy fans. On the Laker front..well both me and my husband are fans but my son the contrartian is a Celtics fan...can you imagine???

Susie

Jimmy..welcome....I'm glad to see so many people that can think rationally :) (now to get them into congress)

DrSoosie...Welcome...Take heart, my son is an avid Giants fan (San Francisco), it surely makes for some interesting weekends right before the playoffs :)

This is an interesting topic which brings to mind some of the reasons why Rome fell. Many historians claim immorality was a big part of the fall of the roman empire. I think the USA is rapidly losing it's sense of integrity and morality. Thus if people don't take a stand for a certain ideal of morality and integrity, it will eventually fall into chaos. Just look at most of our politicians who we trust to run our country...wow!
I know we can't force anyone to live or do like we think they should. That is what is so great about the constitution and freedom of speech. And I truly feel people can do whatever they want as long as they don't infringe on our own rights...But in what direction is this world heading? I do believe God is at the helm and he knows best, but will USA eventually fall into oblivion like Rome?

Desertson...I agree with so much you have said. (especially when talking about politicians ugh).

I'm of the opinion that all we can do is what we think is right. We can argue and fight, or we can put our nose down and get the dirty work done. Like I've stated I don't think the government has any right in our lives when it comes to our relationship anyway. That is between me and God...If they are gonna tax us for who we live with though, then they need to do it equally.