"Results of Prop 8" - Response to thread in the LDS forum (Latter-Day Saints, moral)

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

Okay. I'll try to answer honestly. Don't run me over. I believe that the foundation of our country is the family, the building blocks that it is made of. If you destroy the bricks, you destroy the building. As families go, so goes the U.S. In my opinion, there is a direct corelation between the deterioration of the family, and the decay of our country. And, I might add, not just our country, but the world in general. For me, accepting legalized gay marriage would be encouraging this process, or at the least, allowing it to happen further. I suppose the question becomes, is this forcing my religious beliefs on other people? Honestly, I must answer yes. At the same time, I don't believe in forcing my own beliefs on other people. Wow. I have a problem here don't I.

First, again, I am very encouraged by your admitting the apparent contradiction. There are many people who refuse to acknowledge even that. Even if, in the end, you come to the conclusion that you are still against gay marriage, at least you've honestly assessed the issue without dismissing one side out of hand.

Now, in response to this: You say that the family is the building block of society. Why can't the family include two mothers and their children or two fathers and their children? Many gay couples choose to either get pregnant themselves or have kids through a surrogate mother (in the case of two men). Many of them choose to adopt. They still form the same basic family structure that heterosexuals do, and some studies have shown that children of homosexual couples on average turn out better adjusted and better behaved.

[DavyCrocket2003]

I think my position has just changed a little.

I now do not oppose the legalization of same sex marriage.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

I believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Yet I want everyone to experience the joy of marriage. *long pause* I don't see the answer. I don't think changing the definition of marriage is the answer.

The main thing to remember is that we're not talking about marriage as a religious ceremony here. We're simply talking about a state contract between two people. It's like "honey" the term of endearment and "honey" the sticky sweet stuff. They have the same name, but they are two different things. No one is trying to get you to change anything about your religion, just the laws of the government. For instance, I and my wife are atheists, and we got married, and it had absolutely nothing to do with God at all.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

I think my position has just changed a little.

I now do not oppose the legalization of same sex marriage.

YAY!

That's the best news I've heard in a long time. Seriously, that is such a great thing to hear.

[DavyCrocket2003]

But I do oppose it on a moral basis.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

I believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Yet I want everyone to experience the joy of marriage. *long pause* I don't see the answer. I don't think changing the definition of marriage is the answer.

And your religion shouldn't have to change it's definition. No one is asking it too.

But the government, if it is going to recognize heterosexual couples and their families through the legal status of marriage, should also recognize same-sex couples and their families through the legal status of marriage. Marriage on a federal level, gives more than 1000 rights and benefits. Why shouldn't gay couples and their children have access to those?

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

But I do oppose it on a moral basis.

Well, that's your prerogative. You don't have to agree with everything everyone does, but it takes a big person to be able to say that they don't agree with another lifestyle, but they support (or at least don't oppose) others' right to practice it.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by DavyCrocket2003

I think my position has just changed a little.

I now do not oppose the legalization of same sex marriage.

Thank you.

[DavyCrocket2003]

Originally Posted by mball1297

YAY!

That's the best news I've heard in a long time. Seriously, that is such a great thing to hear.

Don't be too excited. I don't know how long it will last. I could easily talk myself out of it. But anyway, this is my opinion as it stands now. I feel that everyone has a right to live according to their own beliefs. To me, gay marriage doesn't really exist. There are people who believe that it is pretty much the same thing as any marriage. I see it as evil. However, that doesn't mean I have to force my beliefs on others.

[DavyCrocket2003]

Originally Posted by Green Gaia

Thank you.

I don't think you should be thanking me. I still strongly oppose same sex marriage.

Edit: But I would still love to be friends. A friend of mine is president of the gay-straight club at my university.