Debate v. 4-10-05

[monorail_rider]

Ok, here is the idea. Once a month I will start a topic of debate. Everyone is free to disscuss this topic.

Rules:

1) Keep it clean.
2) No name calling.
3) No offensive language.
4) No neg rating. Debates are all about a persons opinion. If you disagree, then simply state why and your opinion.

[monorail_rider]

This months Topic:

Should gay/lesbian marriages be legal?

[Modern Folly]

yes. That is all sir.

[Anders]

I'm removing my original post in respect to Mamabot.

[Orcatime]

Not starting with the mild topics, eh?

[mrmainstreet]

Bah. The government should have no say as to whether two people can become married or not. But that's kinda dodging the subject, so then I would have to say that yes- gay marriages should be legal, I cannot think of a single reason that they should be illegal.

[Emelius_Browne]

yes. yes. yes.

[Momzilla59]

You know, if it were just called a civil union, with all the same rights as "married" couples....

People would still find fault with the whole idea.

I don't think that anyone who wants to spend their lives together should suffer any monetary or legal restrictions because of sexual preference. We would be a much richer country for recognizing that it is commitment that makes a family, not gender.

[Pacha]

I think they should be legal. I can't think of a good reason or reasons why they shouldn't be.

[Giant Panda]

For the sake of debate, I'm throwing the concept of a slippery slope into the discussion. Sure, man/man or woman/woman may seem to be as OK as man/woman, but what about man/sister, woman/son, etc. Without legislation defining what marriage can be, the possibilities are endless .......

[Soulquarian]

I think that Gay couples should have all of the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples, but marriage should be defined as a union of Man and Woman.

If you love someone, then a piece of paper won't change that. Benefits like Hospital visits and the like ARE important, and I think that is unfair to not allow Homosexuals those rights. Marriage has existed for thousands of years and it has always been male and female. We should not change the basic foundation that marriage was built upon.

[mamabot]

I am going to quote something that Dusty has already said regarding polics on the boards, FYI.
Here is the context for his post.

Folks, this isn't a political site. I don't mind the discussion, but keep it polite, or move it to PM.

Thanks,

-Dusty

Please keep this in mind when posting issues for debate.

[ah schucks]

I am gonna respect mamabot and respectivelly repull my post.

[Nephythys]

I am going to second Mamabots post- I really don't want this stuff here. My opinion has nothing to do with gay marriages- it has everything to do with keeping this community going strong and not adding divisive topics. Even if we agree to disagree this could harm opinions and images of other people.

I vote nay- there are forums galore for this stuff. Just not here.

[TinkPink]

When you can go to Vegas, get falling down drunk, then gamble away all your money, meet a guy at the craps table, go across the street 5 minutes later and get married by Elvis then Marriage is not kept sacred by law already. All types of people and religions are able to get married- From Christian to Athiest to Satanist and Gay people are the only ones that cannot. Ridiculous to me...

Sorry, I couldn't help but reply- I am passionate about this topic.

[LightBeer]

yes and thank you for quoting me in your sig Monorail

[Hector]

Here are some very valid arguments why it should not be allowed though:

• Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control are not natural.
  
• Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people cannot get legally married because the world needs more children.
  
• Obviously gay parents will raise gay children because straight parents only raise straight children.
  
• Straight marriage will be less meaningful, since Britney Spears's 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.
  
• Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and it hasn't changed at all: women are property, Blacks can't marry Whites, and divorce is illegal.
  
• Gay marriage should be decided by the people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of minorities.
  
• Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are always imposed on the entire country. That's why we only have one religion in America.
  
• Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people makes you tall.
  
• Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage license.
  
• Children can never succeed without both male and female role models at home. That's why single parents are forbidden to raise children.
  
• Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven't adapted to cars or longer lifespans.
  
• Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a "separate but equal" institution is always constitutional. Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages will for gays & lesbians.

[monorail_rider]

I am going to quote something that Dusty has already said regarding polics on the boards, FYI.
Here is the context for his post.


Please keep this in mind when posting issues for debate.

I understand this is not a political board. but I didn't think anything wrong with a little "off topic" chat.

[monorail_rider]

yes and thank you for quoting me in your sig Monorail

Your welcome Always liked to share funny things I hear/read.

[Pirate Wench]

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