To each their own Apr 26 '05    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Books Mildred D. Taylor - Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: A Literature Unit From $8 Olivier Dunrea - Ollie From $7 The Bottom Line Why is there a bottom line for this catagory? Anyone... anyone? This article is part of the "Homosexuality, Marriage, and Religion Write-Off" sponsered by lemon_lime To join in go to the following article. Homosexuality, Marriage, and Religion Write-Off (Optional) What are your spiritual beliefs or religious affiliations? I believe in the Holy Trinity but I do not affiliate with any standard religion. The church has been corrupted and the idea of something as pure and holy as Jesus Christ has been turned into a never ending debate over what is right and wrong. I believe that every person should read the Bible and make their own decisions on what is right and wrong. What is your sexual orientation? Hetero. How do you see your own religious/spiritual views as influencing your opinion of sexuality? I believe that God meant man and woman to be together as one. I do not believe that my beliefs are better than anyone else’s. I do not believe that any person has the right to push their beliefs on anyone else and that no one should be discarded for what they believe in. (Required) How do you define marriage? A man and woman united in a holy contract to love and honor each other for life. This is a binding contract and should not be taken lightly. I believe that once you have made this vow before God you are bound for life to honor that contract. I also understand that not everyone has the same idea of marriage and I do not condemn others for believing differently. My wife and I live our lives the best way we know how and that includes tolerance of other people’s beliefs. What thoughts or reactions do you have to these two pictures? (all completely safe for work, home, etc.) 1. http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2004/03/10/ba_knight01.jpg None other than, they appear to be happy. 2. http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2004/02/13/ba_gaywed_01_lm.jpg These two people also appear to be very happy. How does one of Christian faith reconcile these two pictures? Is one “right” and one “wrong”? What reactions do you have to seeing these signs? 1. http://www.sushiesque.com/photos/boston_common_031104/dscn1373.jpg Everyone has the right to peaceful protest. I see nothing wrong with this picture. 2. http://www.sushiesque.com/photos/boston_common_031104/dscn1419.JPG The same goes for this picture. As long as the message is being given peacefully, I see no problem with people expressing their opinions in public. I do not believe one is right and the other wrong, I believe that both sides have just as much right to protest their opinions. I do not believe in gay marriage, but that is my belief and I do not expect other people to try to change my mind, likewise I do not try to change theirs. Why do you think the topic of homosexuality is so polarizing in religious communities? It is written in the Bible that homosexuality is “an abomination unto God”. This is why religious communities are so against same sex marriage. I also, believe that it is not right but I am not the one who will answer for it therefore I do not take offense at it. Who’s to say… “What if we’re wrong?” You have to think that there is a possibility that when we die, none of this will matter anymore right? Each person will answer to God according to their own life and deeds. Why should I be offended by something that has no bearing on me personally? I know what this brings next, “What if your child turns out to be gay?” So what, it’s still my child. My parents didn’t stop loving me when I did things they didn’t approve of, so why should I stop loving my child if he or she chooses a different path than my own? I would explain my feelings and let them decide for themselves. Should the government be in the business of defining marriage? Why or why not? I do not believe that government should have any say in what two consenting adults agree upon. The government should stay out of it completely and let people live their lives the way they want to. This is supposed to be the land of the free, isn’t it? Would you support the legalization of gay marriage? No, I would not. Neither would I protest against it. I do not believe it should be illegal in the first place but I would not actively seek to legalize it. If you answered no, what are your fears behind its legalization? If you answered yes, what are your fears behind it remaining illegal? I do not fear it being legal; I simply do not spend my energy on something that doesn’t affect me either way. It’s like… who cares what road someone else takes, maybe they aren’t going the same way you are. Would you support government-sanctioned civil unions between homosexual couples? No, I would not actively support it but I would not try to hinder it either. It just doesn’t matter to me since it does not apply to me. Do you see any way of bridging this current divide in our country over "wedge issues" like gay marriage or abortion? Or should we even be trying? As I said before, I believe every person should have the right to decide for themselves what is right for them. I am not saying that my belief is right for everyone but if more people felt the way I do about it there wouldn’t be as much of a divide, but I guess that would be true no matter what I believe wouldn't it? We shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. There is a chance (no matter what you believe) that you could be wrong and what then? What do you see America's view of homosexuality and gay marriage being in 100 years from today? What will those future Americans think of us in 2005, as they look back? Who can tell? We may not even exist as a species in 100 years. Jesus may come back before then. We may blow ourselves up before then. We may be more concerned with bigger problems like starvation or overpopulation by then. Final thoughts or ideas: In the big picture, I don’t see same sex marriage as a real issue. Let people be themselves and live your life the best way you know how. Right now people are dying from starvation, disease and war every day and we have the nerve to argue whether Steve and Frank can get married if they want to? There really are more important things to concern ourselves with than telling people who they can and can’t fall in love with. Thanks for reading, Gr8ful :-)

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