Okay, so it's going to be one of those days, and one of those posts. Sorry about that.

[celtic_songster]

You know, the days when you're just in a strange headspace? They're not bad days, not at all--today was pretty awesome, actually, but I'm just...I think it's because I got to thinking, and that's never good

Comments

[lily_handmaiden]

The way I look at it, I'm fine agreeing to disagree with you on the homosexuality issue, for the following reasons: it's too emotional a subject to be really argued by either side in such a way that it would change anybody's mind; I think I would feel talked-down-to if you tried to change my mind, and you would probably feel the same way if I tried to change yours; if your gay friends don't mind, then who am I to object. I also really appreciate that it's not a disagreement that amounts to hate with you-- you show your gay friends and other gay people nothing but love and respect and never discriminate based on sexuality.

That said, regardless of religious or ethical perspective, I think it's really important at the very least to support legal and social equality for gay people, because that's just a civil rights issue, plain and simple.

[celtic_songster]

Well put, and I agree totally. It is a bit too hot of an issue to have any real, level discussion about it between "sides." I find hating someone because they are gay about as sensible as hating someone because they Jewish, or because they smoke cigarettes, or because they like 70s country music; it's part of who they are, and your hate won't change that. In fact, you'll probably miss out on some really neat people behind the parts you don't agree with--and who listens to haters anyway? Isn't it much easier to have these conversations with people you like on other levels?

The legal and social equality thing, yes. I have zero problem with civil unions. The part where I draw the line is when religion gets dragged into it--marriage is a sacrament, and should be treated as such.

[lily_handmaiden]

The thing about the marriage issue, though, is that it's also a legal and social institution, and only allowing civil unions creates a kind of separate-but-equal policy which I think sets a dangerous precedent, and is even dangerous in and of itself. I can see where the sacramental nature of it can create some difficulty from a religious standpoint-- marriage is a tough issue on which to separate church and state. I just felt like I had to give a rebuttal there.

[celtic_songster]

See, I see marriage as different from its legal and social status--I'm totally on board for non-Christian heterosexuals having civil unions, for example. I see your point about the separate-but-equal idea, but if we're going to be serious about the separation of church and state (which, oddly, I very much am) than I think we need to recognize that yes, they play by different rules.