Your right to deny me my right?

Static · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 08:05 PM

OK, interesting story I've got for you guys today...

So this lady in Britain who works as one of those people who marry couples, something like a judge, I'm not sure if it's a 'religious' position in Britain, but here in the states, that shit is 100% legal, 0% religious, so a law got passed in GB that allows gay couples to get civil partnerships by majority vote, they asked the people how they wished it was dealth with and the majority voted to allow civil partnerships between gay people. So then this lady protests the law and says she shouldn't have to marry gay couples if she doesn't believe them to be legitimate, she said it violates her morals as a Christian. She then files a lawsuit detailing the situation and guess what...she wins. After the trial, she concludes "this is a victory for Christians everywhere"...

So now some questions;

- What's your personal opinion about this situation, the trial, and the outcome?

and the question which pretty much made my religious friend speechless after I asked him... (to get this question, realize that he believes gay people should be able to get civil partnerships and all the same benifits as married couples, they just shouldn't call it a marriage because it is a religious ceremony and religion condemns homosexuality)

- If it were totally up to you, would you rather gay couples get civil partnerships and half the benifits that come along with a standard marriage, or get a standard marriage and recieve full benifits?

(he totally dodged the question saying 'the subject isn't a black and white answer like you make the question out to be'...)

It essentially comes down to do you support human rights over religious rights, or religious rights over human rights, and I personally think that would be one of the easiest choices I would ever have to make... Unfortunately I can't say the same for everyone...or even the majority...

Aphrodisiac · 07-15-2008, 08:27 PM

I might be wrong and I have to look into it but I'm almost certain legal marriage is not only a Christian thing. I know for a fact that there are pagan priest and priestess that can do legal weddings. I think in some cases it depends on the laws of the area but I know some can do it. They are just called handfastings and not marriages. Last time I checked homosexuality was not a "sin" in paganism or at least the branches I am aware of.

As for other religions I am sure there are legal ways of getting married legally through whatever ceremony the do. I'm not sure how long the word marriage has been used but what marriage actually is pre-dates the Christian religion. This is not a victory for Christianity. It is a victory for ignorant bigots that have no knowledge of history.

**Ristaron** · 07-15-2008, 08:50 PM

If she doesn't want to marry gay couples, I say she is not mandated. She just needs to quit her fucking job that DOES allow it, as detailed in her terms of employment. Fuck, I would have fired that bitch the moment she got all holier-than-thou. And then I would have hanged her and beat her with carrots when she proclaimed her bullshit lawsuit a "victory for Christians". My fucking ass...

Aphrodisiac · 07-15-2008, 09:07 PM

Got into speaking my mind on other things and forgot to answer the actual questions...

I think if she does not want to marry gay people then that's fine. I wouldn't want someone like her marrying me anyway. I don't think most people would want someone that's against their marriage to be a part of it at all.

Gay couple should get a whatever they want to call it depending on religion or lack of. Handfasting, wedding, or anything else. They should get the same benefits. It is not "against religion" to be wed to the same sex. Anyone that says that is only thinking about one religion.

Here is a little history...

I just started browsing through this site if you are curious about it not only being a Christian thing. There are a few good links with some information.

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consorti...tweddings.html

GentleSpikeResort · 07-15-2008, 09:15 PM

After I get through with her she'd want to become gay. Then she'd have no choice but to allow gay marriage.

Truth.

Ol' Patty · 07-15-2008, 10:43 PM

Rist has it right in my opinion. What she is saying is the same as if your local... grocery bagger, whatever... refuses to bag groceries for black people. If someone wants to be a bigot or a racist, fine. If Jim Bob doesn't want to bag groceries for African Americans he has the right to find another job...

It's not my place to say whether someone else's marriage is illegitimate or valid. Nor is it anyone else's that is not directly involved. In the words of George Carlin. "If you don't like gay weddings.. DON'T HAVE A GAY WEDDING!"

Germanboi · 07-16-2008, 01:25 AM

And if anyone knows about Native American rituals, homosexuals have been allowed to marry hundreds of years before anyone came to claim this land as their own. Being in a relationship with someone who follows his Native American roots more than anything I firmly believe there should be something out there for homosexuals. (And for those of you who remember a thread I had started...I am sorry, and I have grown!) I am two spirited, and wish to be able to be bound to my Love legally as well as religiously (obviously would not be having the normal christian wedding) so screw that!

skrause88 · 09-17-2008, 07:33 PM

i am a christian, and yes, i have the christian views on homosexuality (that its a sin...you know) but i do have an issue with lots of christians on this subject. they tend to judge and try to push their views on them, saying they "can't" get married. well i think they should be able to. because if they aren't christians themselves, why should they have to have the same "standards" as we do? i say if we let other "sinners" get married then why not?

**Brother of Yeshua** · 09-17-2008, 09:13 PM

It depends on the laws of GB regarding freedom of religion.

If it were in the US, she would have the right to say "no" based on the fact she has freedom of her religion. Besides, if she doesn't want to do it, there are plenty of other people who would.

Legally, I don't know GB's laws well enough, but if they have similar freedom, sure she can refuse. The homosexual partners can go to someone else who would, the british version of a Justice of the Peace, or another church/religion that does allow it.