So...

[gekko]

(1) Because the institution of marriage is critical to the social structure of family.  It is through the concept of family that marriages can have a greater impact on society outside of the private relationship between the two people, which is important to the two people themselves but otherwise far from critical.

You still have not explained why it is a bad thing for society for homosexuals to make a commitment in the form of marriage to one another.


(3) Obviously, because homosexual acts are immoral.  I suppose you were hoping for something deeper and more rational than that, though.  Don't get your hopes up!

(2) I would consider a child with either no mother or no father to be in a broken family.  It may be the best situation available for some kids, and they may "make it through" just fine, but in my opinion there are significant points in life where you feel like you need a mother or father, and I'm convinced that the gender aspect is quite relevant (perhaps I've heard too many Mother's Day and Father's Day poems).  Recognizing 2 men or 2 women as a legitimate family core through the institution of marriage would be one more strike against the already struggling concept of the nuclear family.  In that regard, such marriages strike me as being as harmful to the institution and it's role in society as the oft-referenced Britney marriage.

I'll address the points as I've enumerated them.

(1) + (2) "[...] institution of marriage is critical to the social structure of family", "I would consider a child with [...] no mother or no father to be in a broken family"

In a word, bull#$%&. Why is the institution of marriage so "critical" to the structure of family? I know, and I'm sure everyone here can give many examples, of "typical" families that are so hopelessly broken it'll be a miracle if the children live past their teens. I also know, and I'm sure many people here can give many examples, of "gay" couples and other "unusual" family situations where the child is one of the luckiest, safest, most loved people in the world. Having a "traditional" family does not make the family whole. Being gay does not make you a bad mother/father.

I will absolutely and totally agree that there are times in a child's life where not having access to a mother or father will leave them lacking for guidance. I will, however, point out that even if a child had a thousand fathers and mothers, he/she will almost certainly be frustrated, alone and lacking some form of parental guidance. Having a mother and a father does not guarantee a child a proper upbringing. Being gay does not make you a bad mother or father!

I would suggest the reason we are seeing the "typical" family disentegrate is that the family is no longer a neccessity at all. A hundred years ago, you had a big family or you were probably dead. Children were needed to help on the farm or work for the family. That's simply no longer the case in most First World Countries. Rasising a family is no longer a need, thus, there is no set direction for the family to take.

I wonder what you think about women working while men stay home. I'd like to point out that until very recently, having a stay at home father and a working mother would have been considered a "broken home."

The fact is that the current, "traditional" or "typical" marriage or family is not the only way to raise a family, and is certainly not the only way to have a loving relationship. You are using the status quo to prove the status quo should remain. Just because it's the way we've been doing things for hundreds of years, doesn't mean it can't change.

This all brings us to (3). And, like the points I discussed above, one thing strikes me here.

"Obviously, because homosexual acts are immoral."

This is your OPINION. I will defend to the death your right to believe and say this, but I will fight harder to defend that this is an OPINION, not fact.

As a quick note: when I refered to laws, the bill of rights, etc, in the states preventing discrimination against sexual orientation, I was refering to the Supreme Court's decision that preventing gay marriages was unconstitutional. THEY were very clear concerning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

I will not sit here and try to convince you that you are wrong believing what you believe. However, if you expect me to accept your opinions as fact, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut.

That's what this is really about -- who is impressing their opinions on others. Gays being married does not take away from your liberties in any way, shape or form. If your OPINION that homosexual acts are immoral is from religious beliefs, I suggest you let (G)god(s) do the judging and let people make their own "mistakes."

Tell me how two people you have never met being married takes away from your liberties. Tell me how the behaviour of two people you will never meet takes away your freedoms.

To reiterate one final thing: being gay or straight does not make you a good OR bad parent. The "traditional" family is NOT always the "best" way to do things.

Times change. When people are willing to accept the opinions of others (even if they don't agree with them), they change for the better. I grant you your beliefs and opinions. Don't TELL me your opinion is FACT.

gekko