Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Same-sex marriage

2008-05-30T22:31:14Z

Awrootbeer1:

'''Same-sex marriage''' is the term for a legal arrangement which mimics [[marriage]], except that the partners are of the same gender: e.g., two men, or two women. Contrary to many irrational claims, [[gay marriage]] is not causing marriage to be completely destroyed in the United States. The real problem is a complete lack of respect for the institution of marriage, not the possibility of same-sex couples marrying.

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Social conservatives regard same-sex marriage as immoral, and argue that use of the word "[[marriage]]" is a misnomer, because the [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony|marriage services]] of Christian denominations define marriage as the union of a man and a woman,<ref>E.g. In some Christian marriage ceremonies,the wedding will begin with a statement along the lines of: "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." ''The Book of Common Prayer,'' Episcopal Church, The Church Hymnal Corporation and the Seabury Press, 1979: "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage," p. 423</ref> a definition which was also written into United States federal law in 1996.

Dr. [[James Dobson]]'s [[Focus on the Family]] refers to the phrase ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to call attention to his belief that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that he therefore believes that same-sex unions are "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>

Abuse of the term was unheard of a few decades ago; however, these unions are now among a number of issues advocated by [[liberal]] activists. In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state. Several states allow [[civil union]]s between two people of the same sex, and two, Massachusetts and California, currently allow same-sex marriage. These marriages are not recognized by the Federal government.

== Background ==
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that [[liberal]] activists would soon seek changes to the laws in some states that pertain to homosexuals. It considered the possibility of test cases reaching the Supreme Court, and of the court conceivably ruling that a state—even though it prohibits same-sex marriage itself—must honor same-sex marriages performed in another state. The Defense of Marriage act, which was passed and signed by President Clinton, prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under its constitution, it was not required to allow same-sex marriage but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from marriages but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine also provide civil unions or "domestic partnerships." Beginning in 2008, the states of Washington, Oregon, and New Hampshire will also provide same-sex unions. Hawaii provides certain benefits to same sex couples. <ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-optio0531may31,0,341613.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut Newsday]</ref> In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an antiquated Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state. Same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

Same sex marriage is legal in five countries: [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[Canada]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]]. Other countries, such as [[France]], [[Germany]], and the [[United Kingdom]], recognize [[civil unions]] and [[domestic partnership]]s.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-03/05/content_311998.htm Countries worldwide address gay marriage]</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. In Massachusetts, however, about 6% of all marriages are same-sex marriages, so this does not appear to be a problem. <ref>[http://www.massequality.org/news/news_story.php?id=273]</ref><ref>http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fdata%2Fnvss%2Fmarriage90_04.pdf&images=yes</ref>

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives and outside of this group, support is split down the middle leaning to opposition.<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html Same Sex Marriage Poll from ABC News]</ref>

== Issues ==
[[Image:Cycle.gif|thumbnail|200px|right|A recent study by the [[Canada|Canadian]] government states that "violence was twice as common among homosexual couples compared with [[heterosexual]] couples".<ref>http://www.nationalpost.com/scripts/story.html?id=5a6dc0ec-3807-4f5c-a5ad-c50855986682&k=55181&p=2 Aforementioned Canadian Study.</ref>]]
[[James Dobson]] cites Stanley Kurtz to argue that the motivation of those advocating same-sex marriage is not to secure the benefits of marriage for gay couples, but to destroy the institution of marriage itself:
:...most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to destroy marriage altogether. With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, etc.,) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would "couples" be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed.<ref>Stanley Kurtz, "Beyond Marriage," The Weekly Standard, August 4/August 11, 2003. - cited in [http://www.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000771.cfm Marriage on the Ropes], Dr. James Dobson, retrieved from ''Focus on the Family'', 15 May 2007. </ref>

According to a March, 2007 report, there are 65,000 adopted children in the U.S. being raised by same-sex couples. The same report says 14,100 foster children were being raised by one or more gay or lesbian foster parents.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/25/gay.adoption/index.html Gay adoption: A new take on the American family]</ref>

In Great Britain, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has expressed its full support to the stand taken by the Catholic Church opposing regulations on gay adoption. The Catholic Church sought to be exempt from the new law. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams of the Church of England, supports the Catholic Church's efforts declaring that the rights of conscience cannot be subject to laws. Catholic leaders have already said that its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will have to close if bound by the rules. The MCB, the UK's leading Muslim umbrella group embracing over 400 affiliated organizations, said that while it supported anti-discrimination laws, homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. <ref>[http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/menu-234/0701266670200554.htm UK Muslim group backs Christian opposition to gay adoption rules London], Islamic republic News Agency, Jan 26, 2007.</ref>

Studies indicate that homosexual couples have higher rates of promiscuity than heterosexual couples. In addition, studies report that [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|homosexual couples have significantly higher incidences of violent behavior]].{{fact}} These studies are not surprising given what pathologists have stated regarding the [[Homosexuality and Murders|commonness and brutality of homosexual murders]]. The prevalence of violence and emotional abuse in gay domestic partnerships.A particularly worrisome factor among [[gay rights]] [[activist]]s is One survey found 53% of gays felt if the high incidence of violence against partners in homosexual relationships was known and understood by the heterosexual population, it would hinder the drive for gay rights.{{fact}}

Domestic abuse is divided into two categories, emotional abuse and physical abuse. While gay domestic abuse has not been studied to the extent that heterosexual relationships have, [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|preliminary studies indicate a much higher level of abuse]].

One type of emotional abuse--threatening to "out" a partner to family, friends, or employers--is unique to homosexual relationships. Legalization of so-called "gay marriage" still would not end this type of abuse. Morality cannot be legislated.

==See also==
*[[Intimate Partner Violence]]

==Reference==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]

Talk:Same-sex marriage/pov

2008-05-30T22:17:20Z

Awrootbeer1: /* List of viewpoints */

==List of viewpoints==
#the Biblical condemnation of homosexuality as sin is 'merely a claim' rather than 'objective truth'.
#*The Bible's stance on homosexuality isn't a very clear one
#**the Old Testament considers it an abomination
#***The New Testament has very little to say about homosexuality.
#***''Jesus'' said nothing about homosexuality.
#We need to keep the [[Ten Commandments]], as they help live a Christ-like life
#*The Ten Commandments say nothing about homosexuality.
#*What about Jesus' commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself?
#Old Testament prohibitions can be ignored, because
##it says quite a few things are abominations or illegal that we consider okay today.
##the old testament is somewhat irrelevant to Christianity
##only the New Testament really matters.
#marriage is a right
#homosexuals should have 'equal rights'
#same-sex "marriage" is simply a matter of giving [[equal rights]] to gays
#Very few homosexuals want to "marry" each other
#*"very few want to marry each other" is a lie
#*''I'' want to marry another man.
#the immediate intent of same-sex "marriage" agitation is to remove the stigma of being called a "fornicator"
#*There are many reasons for fighting for gay marriage. There are over 1,000 rights that married heterosexual couples have, all of which are denied to same-sex couples because they can't legally marry.
#Same-sex "marriage" adopts the form of [[marriage]] for the supposed purpose of destroying the sanctity of marriage and justifying homosexuality.
#*You are all right in saying the institution of marriage is falling apart. But, instead of actually trying to look at the problem and say, "Hm, what can we do better?", you all would rather blame it on a minority population because that's what is easy. Divorce rates are up to 50% or higher nowadays. Why is this? Not because of gay marriage, you idiots. It's a complete lack of respect for the institution of marriage.
#Nothing from the Old Testament is nullified unless it is nullified explicitly in the New Testament
#The New Testament is hostile to homosexuality.
#*Oh really, where?
##The Bible is clear on this
#Jewish religious law condemns the practice of male homosexual acts.
#giving 'equal legal rights' to [[male couples]] has no effect on the spiritual condition of couples bound by the Christian sacrament of [[holy matrimony]]
#*Exactly!

Talk:Same-sex marriage/pov

2008-05-30T22:07:35Z

Awrootbeer1: /* List of viewpoints */

Talk:Gay

2008-02-27T01:44:52Z

Awrootbeer1:

Unlock this so we can edit it. [[User:Televangelist|Televangelist]] 13:33, 26 October 2007 (EDT)

This page should probably redirect to [[homosexual]] rather than being locked as a blank page.--[[User:Reginod|Reginod]] 18:10, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

Shouldn't it redirect to [[Happiness]]? [[User:IMFromKathlene|IMFromKathlene]] 05:42, 30 March 2007 (EDT)

:Gay people are full of or show high-spirited merriment, or are given to social pleasures often including dissipation: "led a gay Bohemian life"; "a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies"
:*"when hearts were young and gay""- Wordsworth
:* "a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company"- Wordsworth

:Things that are brightly colored and showy may be described as gay: "a dress a bit too gay for her years"; "birds with gay plumage".

:I can't for the love of God figure why this page is redirected to an article about depraved perversity.
:[[User:Auld Nick|Auld Nick]] 07:04, 21 May 2007 (EDT)

LOL. You people....

"gay" does not signify promiscuity..? {{unsigned|Mjac1103}}

There is no single "gay lifestyle". There are gays who practice a promiscuous lifestyle, but there are substantially more who form healthy, committed, monogamous relationships. There are many, many heterosexuals who have affairs and lead immoral, promiscuous lives, but somehow this goes unnoticed. The belief that homosexuality is associated with a promiscuous lifestyle is no more than a stigma conferred upon them by a majority of straight people, who, refusing to admit that they are not entirely innocent, project their feelings of guilt and worthlessness on homosexuals. - awrootbeer1

== basic dictionary meaning? ==

Surely this article should say that the original basic dictionary meaning (and indeed the common meaning until reltively recently) was simply '''merry''' ("happily excited, keenly alive and exuberant, having or inducing high spirits," according to my little Merriam-Webster) - and that the word has only recently become synonymous with homosexual (having begun, if I read it right, to gather connotations of licentiousness sometime around the late 19th or early 20th century). Seems to me there is a danger of misleading readers of the article if this is not clearly explained. Any young person reading Shakespeare or 19th-century literature is likely to misunderstand the word "gay", and putting that possible misreading right would surely be a service that this encyclopedia should perform. And what's this stuff about "a crush". Not in my dictionary as a meaning of "gay", nor in my vocabulary! [[User:Humblpi|Humblpi]] 13:11, 17 February 2008 (EST)