The California Supreme Court abolished the state’s same-sex marriage ban in May, sparking public celebration in some places and angry protest in others. Now some critics of same-sex marriage are fighting back with an initiative to reinstate the ban, leaving voters once again divided. Should marriage remain between a man and a woman, or is it time to widen the aisle for same-sex couples? (Editor's Note: On November 4th, California voters passed Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage.)
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Gay Marriage Poses a Threat to Religious Liberties
- From Pacific Justice Institute
By Pacific Justice Institute - Defending Rights
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Wrong
Any religious establishment can refuse to recognize the sanctity of a non-traditional marriage. Whether one is married civilly or not does not force a religion to recognize it as a "holy matrimony." If religious establishments refuse to participate in these and require a JP wedding, so be it.
- bagpiper2005
October 16, 2008 1:03PM
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Side: No
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Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedoms Do Collide
While individuals may chose to agree with or not agree with Same-Sex marriages, including religions, the California Supreme Court has ruled that Same-Sex Marriage and Traditional Marriage are the same (please read the California Supreme Court consolidated "In Re Marriage Cases"), and as such, cannot be legally distinguished or separated. What now happens to individuals or religious institutions who continue to separate them, or to disagree with Same-Sex Marriage. Their right to hold an opinion is now legally weakened. In fact, Catholic Adoption Services in Massachusetts, where Same-Sex Marriage is also legal, has been legally told to include Same-Sex couples in their adoption services or to shut down their operations. Thus, while the Catholic Adoption Services do not "agree" with Same-Sex Marriage, they have been forced to either accept it or close down. The right to disagree has been taken away, and this is only one of several cases I have heard of where even non-profit organizations, religious organizations, and business have been fined for not "agreeing" with Same-Sex Marriage. Those who believe Same-Sex Marriage is a matter of opinion and should not be forced on all should vote Yes on Proposition 8.
- BJG
October 28, 2008 10:20PM
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Side: Yes
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Catholic Adoption Services not threatened
I work as a volunteer at Catholic Adoption Services. They have not been fined, their operations have not been challenged, and the courts specific ally stated in their decision that no religious organization could be required to act against the mandates of their faith. Of course, if they refuse to allow otherwise qualified same sex couples to be represented, they may lose their tax exzempt status, but that would require another court ruling. Please make sure the blogs you go to are reporting factually before you quote them.
- OddGrouch
October 29, 2008 8:23AM
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Side: No
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Same Sex Marriage is a Matter of Equal Protection - Not Opinion
How is your right to hold an opinion legally weakened? Are you actually being persecuted under the law for simply holding an opinion? Or, are you allowed to keep your opinion while you are being forced by law to treat people equally? I think what you're really trying to say is that your right to force your opinion on others is legally weakened. Isn't that more appropriate? Let me ask... Do you believe in Equal Protection under the law? Or do you believe that some people deserve more protection than others? Do you believe that there is a chosen class of people who should receive preferential treatement? Perhaps a class of people who's opinions are so important that they trump the fundamental rights of a lower class of people? Have the meek really inherited the earth? Is this really the legacy of Jesus? When his 'Chosen' people would become the "Romans" who stripped the lower class of their humanity?
- csmith
October 29, 2008 10:17PM
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Side: No
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