re Longweekend58
Quote:Firstly, marriage has ALWAYS been essentially a religious institution and even now is still predominantly so. It is only in relatively recent times that it has even encompassed civil unions. It remains still for most a sacred trust.
In Australia, our law recognizes marriage from either a civil marriage or a religious marriage. Religious institutions can be very restrictive in terms of marriage, if we just go by its definition. For example, interfaith and inter-racial marriages. In a secular state like Australia, if a Muslim wants to marry a Christian, or a Jewess wants to marry a pagan, then, its legal under the definitions of civil marriage. To this end, same sex marriage its just extension of that.
Quote:The second point is that 'it doesnt affect me' is perhaps the worst argument you can make. You can use that argument to support virtually any abomination from genocide, child marriages and detention without trial. You really need to make a substantive argument rather than that one.
The things that you have listed: genocide, child marriages are against the law. However, same sex relationship between two consenting adults are perfectly legal. So your second point does not stand. Furthermore, my argument goes beyond just ‘it does not effect me’, its about been treated equally regardless of sexual orientation - one of the basic foundations of human right.
Quote:he third point is that you seem to ignore people's right to simply believe something is WRONG. You dont have to agree or even understand it, but to ignore it is quite wrong in its own right. Most opposition to gay marriage is based on morality and religious belief. These are not issues to simply ignore and treat as immaterial.
As I mentioned before, there are many things - good or bad that religion believe. To that extension, alot of religious people find marriage outside of their religion is immorall, and wrong. Does that mean we should exclude those unions as well? Alot of people believe children in detention is wrong, detention without a trial is wrong, But yet, they still happen
Quote:Legalising gay marriage actually gives gays absolutely nothing other than a title they currently do not have. In may ways it looks and sounds like a rant to have something they dont have for no other reason than that they dont have it. Essentially, a toddler rant.
It easy for you to say this is a toddler’s rant since your own marriage is recognized and accepted. Same sex couples wants the same under the law. Its like having your voting right. Just one of you own is not going to make any difference, but its the principle that counts.