Gay Marriage

"I do not believe the state has a role in marrying anybody"
- A wise friend of mine (and originator of the Stealthy Dachshund moniker)

a) Marriage is a human institution. Humanity invented it. Humans who are not Christian have been marrying each other since before the Bible was written. Therefore you cannot say that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman based on Divine Mechanics.

b) Traditional marriage is a stupid stupid thing to invoke, as it has involved incest (Egypt), polygamy (most everywhere, thank you), forced adultery (Scotland), arranged marriages (also everywhere) and divorce. Therefore, you cannot say that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman based on tradition.

c) The Bible opposes homosexual rape. Fine. The Bible MAY mention three homosexual relationships and speak of them as if they were married. The epistles of Paul MAY attack homosexual behaviour, except he doesn't use the right word. Therefore you cannot say that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman because The Bible says so.

d) Many churches oppose same-sex marriage, including the Mormons, the Roman Catholics, etc... Fine. You may say that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman because the Church says so.

Any other reasons to oppose it? Oh yeah, can't forget:

e) Marriage does not exist to create children. i) Many very happy marriages are childless, and ii) Many children are born out of wedlock. So you cannot say that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman for the survival of the species.

That all? Good.

So the only legitimate reason to oppose same-sex marriage is because of the Church. Totally valid and allowed. If you happen to live in a society where the Church makes the laws. Which you don't.

When you say that your Church should make the laws on a social issue, you force the people affected by that social issue to follow your Church, which is a violation of the freedom of religion.

Your church has the freedom to choose not to participate in gay marriage, but your church does not have the right or privilege to make that choice for people who do not follow your church.