ProfessorDreadNaught wrote:First it is clear you don't understand the distinction I was making. I was pointing out (and you state it also, again without understanding) that you needn't be involved in ANY religious faith to discriminate against homosexuals. The prejudice does not spring from religion but from misunderstanding and fear. I think you would agree that there are more heterosexuals out there than there are practicing religious devotees. That by definition constitutes a larger discriminatory group.
I agree you don't need to be in a faith to discriminate however by the very nature of a religion you are accepting that way of thinking. A lot of prejudice (intolerance) does come from religion sorry to burst you're bubble on that one. A particular religion through teachings subsequently practices those and it's followers accept those teachings. The heterosexual group will be member of a certain religion (or have been in the past) so both go hand-in-hand.
ProfessorDreadNaught wrote:Additionally, I challenge your assertion that "There have been many faiths throughout history that have accepted equal rights of gays..." I don't believe there have been many large, influential religions that did not shun the abnormal. Most religions concern themselves with defining what is right to do and what is not. So many religions take a negative stand on homosexuality. I have stated why I believe this is so. Ignorance and fear. "Evolution of the species" does NOT fix this issue. Only understanding does.
I was never indicating the size of the religion (large or small that was you) however the larger religions Christianity, Islam etc do think it is abnormal hence the issue. In early history there was little issue with homosexuality etc as it was more readily accepted. In the province of Fujian in China during the Ming dynasty males and females alike essentially entered into marriage contracts. It happened in the Roman Empire also and this was a rather large Empire and ancient Greece.
Our biological evolution has been ongoing for sometime now. If by our very nature we as a species have such tendencies through our genetic markers this surely defines who we are, our uniqueness as a species. If it forms part of us and has done for thousands of year why cannot it be accepted? There is no homosexuality FIX, it is part of who we are as human beings. If however you want to start altering genetic sequencing i.e. the 'X' Chromosones to make people
normal (and what is that!) rather than abnormal (homosexual) as you put it then good luck with that one. Yeah let's make everyone the same see where that goes. Bring on the clones or the master race!
In the US there must also be some religious opposition to accepting homosexuality relating to marriage/equal rights. Would the population not form part of such a religion? I thought Christians in the USA were the main religious tradition accounting for over 78% of the U.S. religious landscape. As the majority form the basis of such religions they decide on what is accepted via the democratic process/system. Now going back in history; America was founded by colonists due to the fear of religious persecution in England? Now fast forward to the present day and what has changed, think along the lines of being hypocritical.
ProfessorDreadNaught wrote:Matt C. brings the argument back to a focus we have left in favor of Religion. He refers back to the question of "right to marry" and the benefits and privileges garnered to those who are married. Perhaps he did not read the initial posts which clearly debunk the idea that marriage is a "right" to which all people are entitled. If it is as I (and U.S. government policy) describe as a government regulated legal partnership, it becomes a question of majority rule as to the guidelines to which someone may enter this legal status. The majority eventually came around to accepting interracial marriage as acceptable behavior. They did not wake up and decide they were denying someone's rights. Educate the majority on the "acceptable" nature of homosexual love and marriage will follow.
You have a "Right" to Love someone, wholeheartedly and unreservedly. You do NOT have a "Right" to marry them.
At the moment a same sex couple have the legal right to marry and it be recognised whereas homosexual couples cannot as their sexual orientation is perceived an impediment. This demonstrates they are not fully accepted as a fundamental group in today’s society. This further stigmatises them and invites public discrimination as a result and does not allow the same benefits of same sex couples.
Same-sex marriage is legal in the following countries as far as I am aware; Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden and Mexico City.