tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2008554006239422539.post1013336974347271027..comments2023-05-15T02:12:35.293-07:00Comments on Comments on the Contemporary: What rights are we talking about for Gays?James Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2008554006239422539.post-75507886948500984022009-03-08T21:50:00.000-07:002009-03-08T21:50:00.000-07:00"They claim they want the "right to marry."My own ..."They claim they want the "right to marry."<BR/>My own grandfather was arrested, tried and sent to Federal prison for his beliefs concerning marriage. All of my ancestors had their religious property expropriated and taken by the United States Government, who sent an army to enforce the taking."<BR/><BR/>So of course, this makes it ok for us to write our own religious beliefs about marriage into the state constitution right? Maybe next year we should try and add a line about polygamy.<BR/><BR/>"Do they have they have freedom of religion and the right to worship as they please.<BR/>Yes, but they would deny me the same right."<BR/><BR/>Actually, this a common misconception. While there are certainly gay people out there who would like a gay wedding, most of them have been so damaged, abused, and hurt by the church that they would never consider trying to get a marriage from the church. I believe the church has the right to perform marriages based on its own criteria. The Catholic church doesn't believe in divorce, and no one forces them to marry individuals who have already been divorced. Gay marriage would be no different.<BR/><BR/>Looking at the broader perspective, you're right of course. In California, gay individuals really do have a lot of rights. Unfortunately, that's only in California. Take a short drive to Utah, and even if you are a faithful, covenant keeping member, if someone thinks you look, act, or might in any way be gay, they can fire you from your job and evict you from your home. Even something as basic as hospital visitation rights doesn't exist in the state of Utah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com