Hi Alex

Not surprisingly, once again you and I are on the same page - see my reply to a similar point made by Tracy above.



>>>>>That's a different statemant that equating homosexuality with bestiality
>>>>
>>>>Oh, that. Well, perhaps they are not exactly equal, but I consider both homosexuality and bestiality are unnatural.
>>>>
>>>>And, many of the arguments for legalizing a homosexual marriage might equally be applied to the other case.
>>>
>>>Can you list those?
>>
>>Here are a few arguments, gleaned from the current thread (paraphrased by me, and hopefully not completely misunderstood):
>

Reproduction should not be the only purpose of a marriage.
>
>Reproduction is not the purpose of marriage. Legal issues like inheritance, taxes, etc. as Terry said are. You are mixing legal marriage with religious views. The law that passed is just that: law. If you are uncomfortable with the issue in your church, then a)don't marry a gay person and b) expel them from your church.
>
>You see, church and religion can do all the discrimitation they want (often do). The law should be equal and fair to all, without discrimination (but sadly often it is not). I call this new law progressive and enlightened. Let's give these people legal rights. They are citizens, they vote and they pay taxes just like the rest of us.
>
>
>>

Rather, there can be a true bond of love in a relation.
>
>Not in front of the law. Marriage is a legal contract. If tghey love each other, as they should if they want to marry, who are we to say they can't? In years past it was discrimination because they wanted to do interracial marriages, now is a question of gender. Let them be free. What and how does it affect your life?
>
>>

Whatever I consider natural or unnatural is a subjective opinion.
>
>What does this have to do with legal marriages? As said elsewhere in this thread, it is natural as you can see many examples of it in nature.
>
>
>>

The fight against homosexuality is a result of narrow-mindedness, intolerance, etc.
>
>Correct. Add bigotry, fear, discrimination and hate. All the issues that most religions say they are against.
>
>
>>

I don't have the right to tell others what is right or wrong.
>
>In a legal sense you have. In a democracy it's called the vote. Once it is a law, if you don't like it, petition your government for it to be changed. Other than that, let them be.
>
>
>>

Imposing "correct" sexuality on a minority who believes otherwise is unfair.
>
>"Correct" is subjective. Laws should be objective.
>
>
>>

The points of view of the psychiatric association - doesn't apply, since, AFAIK, they didn't make a similar statement about bestiality, or about incest, for that matter. Of course, they might do so, eventually.
>
>So?
>
>
>>

Your sexual orientation should be your personal choice - I think I am the only one who mentioned this in this thread, but I understand this is a fairly common argument.
>
>It is not a personal choice. It's genetics. Why would anybody "choose" to be discrimitaed against, not be able to marry and get legal rights as such, have to be "in the closet", living a secret life, etc.?

Charles Hankey

Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.
- Thomas Hardy

Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.

-- T. S. Eliot
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
- Ben Franklin

Pardon him, Theodotus. He is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.