PORTLAND, Maine — Same-sex marriage supporters talked up their religious reasons for backing the “Yes on 1” campaign Monday, taking the debate straight to the political battlefield many opponents consider their strength.
Nearly 500 people turned out Monday afternoon at Portland City Hall to join the rally promoted as the official kickoff to the “Yes on 1” campaign. The event took place after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland organized a series of outreach meetings across the state in an effort to energize voters against the Nov. 6 referendum, which would legalize same-sex marriages in Maine.
Speakers who took the lectern at Monday’s event — including at least two Catholics — said they believe Christian teachings lead followers to support same-sex marriage.
“I worship a God of inclusion, not exclusion,” the Rev. Michael Gray of the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church told the cheering Portland crowd.
“I’m very proud as a Catholic to be a member of Catholics for Marriage Equality, and I’m certain that this Nov. 6, that Catholics and people of all faiths are going to join together to make sure we pass this referendum to allow everybody the right to marry,” said Portland Mayor Michael Brennan.
Amelia Nugent, a canvasser for Mainers United for Marriage — the organization which held Monday’s rally — told attendees of one man she had met while knocking on doors for the campaign. She said he immediately told her he’s opposed to same-sex marriage because his religion doesn’t allow them, but acknowledged that someone close to him was gay and wanted to be supportive of that person.
Nugent said “Yes on 1” campaign organizers have encountered thousands of conflicted voters like that man, with whom she said she spoke for a long time about religion that day.
“We agreed that God makes no mistakes, and we agreed that our deepest calling as people of faith is to go through life with compassion and love for others,” she said.
Retired Episcopal Priest Will Brewster told the crowd about the day when his youngest son, a captain in the U.S. Army who led a platoon in Iraq, announced to his parents he was gay.
“I couldn’t understand why, if my son was willing to risk his life to fight for our freedoms, he couldn’t come back home and have the same freedom to marry the person he loves, just like his brother and sister,” Brewster said.
Opponents of the referendum from the organization Protect Marriage Maine issued a reaction to the rally Monday, reiterating that the coalition’s top argument against same-sex marriage remains the interests of children, which the group said are best raised when they have the benefit of both male and female parental influences at home.
“The data confirms what we know to be true — the ideal environment for
children to thrive is one where they receive the love of both a mom and a dad,” said Bob Emrich, chairman of Protect Marriage Maine in a statement. “A man and woman bring separate but complementary skills to parenting that simply cannot be matched by two parents of the same sex. It’s devastating that radical activists are putting their own political agenda ahead of what’s clearly best for current and future generations of Mainers.”
In 2009, voters repealed a law allowing same-sex couples to marry six months after the Legislature passed the bill, which had been signed into law by then-Gov. John Baldacci.
Bravo! We can all support both traditional marriage and civil marriage for same-sex couples.
The couples in Maine seeking civil marriage have been blessed to find loving, supportive relationships. I do hope that most Mainers will agree that we all should be free to protect the lives we build together, and the children we raise together, with civil marriage.
Vote yes on 1 in November!
Never tell people how to vote…its not nice to fool mother nature.
I look forward to seeing you admonish people demanding we vote no on this issue, too… right?
You mean like other religous denominations, organizations and groups do? Prove to the rest of us how they aren’t telling people how to vote…..
The Catholic Church
American Family Association
The Family Research Concil
Focus on the Family
The National Organization for Marriage
The Ruth Institute
The Church of Latter-Day Saints
for example?
Most Mainers have already decided this issue.
Having a ” kick-off” rally isn’t going to change much, if anything. Gay marriage will fail again. Too much exposure…Viz-Burn…does not make it more palatable.
The Obituary for Gay Marriage in Maine is already being written. Condolences to the losers.
The Obituary has not been written ……. we will not stop asking the civil government for equal access to the priveldge of civil marriage.
And until the violence, assaults and verbal abuse against LGBT citizens and the calls for death, imprisonment and civil punishments and sanctions for those of us who identify as gay or lesbian from the “religious extremeists”, we will continue to ask the government for equal treatment whether you agree with us or not.
I wonder if ptkitty has read any of the polls? Or if she (?) would believe them? Should we win this fall, I wonder if anyone will claim that the election has been fixed like some claim the polls that show support for SSM are….
The polls said the same thing last time infact the yes on 1 crowd had a huge lead last time .
How did it end up???. The Gay Marriage folks have alot working against them the Democrats in Maine have lost alot of enthusiasm the last few elections by losing tax referendums questions very badly and losing in 2010. This year they already lost 11 seats in the legislature and we haven’t even voted yet because folks didn’t run for those seats. They lost Bill Diamond’s seat as well which was a safe seat for Dems. They are having trouble in other races in Maine the Senate race and Mumbles Michaud’s is possibly in trouble as well. So if I was a person supporting this question I would be working hard to get the message out. Because nothing has really changed as someone just said their has been no real advertising and no debates yet. Once word really gets out. I think the same thing to happen polls saying Gay Marriage is ahead like the last time and when folks vote the vote goes against them.
I believe the last story I read about violence of this type involved an LGBT citizen running around with a gun shooting security guards.
Guess you don’t read much ….. you should be reading more from the sites of some of the organizations I mentioned above. …. check out Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association or Harry Jackson or Pat Robertson or Kirk Cameron or Gary Bauer or Ralph Reed or Brian Brown or Linda Harvey or Joyce Meyer …….
And I guess you missed Charlie Howard and Matthew Shepard … I know they aren’t recent victims but they were both heavily covered…..
I’ve yet to see anything that indicates the person in question was LGBT.
And as far as I am aware, only one person was shot.
Playing loose with the facts again ?
Do you know what happens anywhere else in this state?
500 ?
I’m not very impressed.
Legalize it and we’ll see weddings with that many invited guests,
soon thereafter.
The GOP has pushed this into the state arena so they can defeat it one state at a time. However this is not a state issue, it is a national issue. I wish the Supreme Court would just clarify this as a civil right for all, as it should be. Barring that it would be nice if our Congress would show a little intestinal fortitude and just pass this law as an act to enforce equal rights for all Americans.
GOP has not pushed it, it has beenvoted on before.
It’s not a state or national issue. The Economy is the #1 issue. Do you hear any person in Maine or Nationally talking about Gay Marriage being a priority. No they want jobs, want lower taxes, want lower gasoline and energy costs. They want better roads including new interstate highways, better schools. Gay Marriage is the last thing folks are talking about here. It is actually non-existant in people’s conversations at least what working folks are thinking. The only folks are talking about it is those goofy folks from Equality Maine, the Stupid Liberals in Augusta and Democrat Party big wigs.
and you
Yeah. I’m sure it’s not an important issue to people like you who take their right to marry for granted..it’s not your battle so leave it alone already…your opinion on the subject is moot from the beginning. How does them getting their rights affect you, directly “mr. patriot”, personally? Let’s be honest, it doesn’t. And you know what…they pay their taxes, too and have more reason to be angry than you do, after all, they actully have something legitimate to be upset about…their own civil rights being trampled upon. What’s in in for you, other than to throw out another gratuitously hateful opinion on something you absolutely do not understand?
Really the GOP has pushed it? interesting the GOP is a huge supporter against this. I think it is crazy that Maine has voted this down before and now we are being asked again to vote on it.
We’ll just try again. And again. And again.
Because that’s what people who are in love, and devoted to one another, do.
If you were denied the Privilege of Marriage to the person you loved and wanted to legally commit to for the remainder of your life would you just lie down and accept it or would you fight to gain the right to that priviledge?
edit
And your poll data is where?
Read the Bible, and you will know how to vote.
If they read the entire bible they most likely will become an atheist, so please do; read the entire bible.
Edit: Just to clear things up. When I say read, I mean study it as well. Question what is written and if you do, you will only have more questions because the bible contains a lot and I mean a lot of contradictions. There are also some very disturbing stories as well as some very beautiful ones but read them the same.
Kevin I have read the Bible many times. I will pray for you
I will think for you.
Great laugh. Thanks!
Kevin you are wrong and I will Pray for you as well. Listen I dont think I am perfect and I do believe this is a sin lust like the Methodist Pastor was saying in the video clip his church does not allow gay marriage to take place. Therefore this Methodist Pastor is falsely teaching his Church. He should be teaching them to Love each other and share that it is wrong. I have said this to many people I dont “hate” anyone (as some of you try to make us Christians out as doing) But I would not be doing my job as a Christian if I did not share what the Bible teaches us. Oh and Kevin I have read most of the Bible and I can tell you in the end we win.
I will think for you as well and many people who have truly read the bible have become atheist. The majority of so called Christians have never read the bible. They just like to pick out the parts that fit them best. Kind of like when Christians use Leviticus to condemn homosexuals but when we point out other parts of Leviticus the same Christians will say, those don’t count anymore.
But anyways, enjoy talking to yourself about me.
Kevin I will agree with you on one point and that some Christians take only parts of the Bible that fit to them. And to be 100% honest I started out as one of those Christians. Kevin I truely know that it is written clearly in Romans that it is a sin. That is my argument and Gopher I am sorry you feel that way.
This Christian and many others do not agree with you. Falsehoods dwell on your side.
Jesus said “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye”. He also said “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Evidently your understanding of these statements is different than mine ….. that’s okay with me because I know that I will be spending eternity with those that I love more than life in this time on earth including my wife. I will be with her again and look forward to that no matter where that is.
amen
Yes, I do. And that’s one of the reasons I’m voting Yes on 1.
Yes. It says the two great commandments are “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one” and “love your neighbor as yourself”..on these two premises hang all of the law and the prophets. If you have to do that, you’ll vote to see their marriage rights passed. It also is summed up in this one statement: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
What’s wrong with “telling people how to vote”? That is what debate is all about. It gives people an opportunity to find out all the pros and cons attached to an issue. Let’s just keep is civil. Either way the gay marriage proposal turns out, the sky will not fall for some time to come.
So the Catholics and conservative Christians aren’t telling their flocks how to vote? Sure looks like it.
Clergymen of conservative churches are telling their members to vote in accordance with their conscience. For your information, Catholic leaders in accordance to IRS guidelines are not telling their parishioners exactly who to vote for, unlike many black liberal clergymen in other churches who rant against Republican candidates.
The purpose of a debate is to hear both sides, pros and cons, as you say. A thinking person will take the information presented and decide, based on the information presented, checking the facts presented, their experience, logic etc, which position they support. That is not someone telling them how to vote … that is making ones own decision.
I too hope the campaign this time around is civil. I also hope that the opposition is truthful … will not distort, pull in red herrings or slippery slope arguements, present false information or hyperbole this time around. Considering the major speakers among the opposition are representing a “christian” view, they need to be honest ….. this question is about Civil Marriage Licenses, not religious marriage …. churches and clergy will nt be forced to take part, Maine schools do not teach “marriage” and will not be teaching SSM, this is about extending the priviledge of legal civil marriage to same-sex couples, not taking marriage away from opposite sex couples. There are more issues that were misrepresented last time and these and others will come up … each will have to dealt with honestly along the way.
I agree with most of what you say except for a couple of things. It’s just a matter of time before the courts will intervene and force schools to teach SS relationships as being natural and just another form of relationship, if SSM proposal is approved. No convincing case has been made for extending privileges of marriage to SS couples since they can’t procreate and do not provide the best possible environment for raising children that only OS couples by nature’s design can provide. So what interest does the state have by endorsing gay relationship given these situations?
Misrepresentation is a two-way street. In spite of all the rhetoric to the contrary, homosexual orientation is not determined by factors existing before birth as a study of a large sampling (numbering well over one thousand) of twins has amply shown. It has also been shown that sexual preference is not a fixed phenomenon. For many people it changes throughout their lifetime. So the excuse that gays use that they are made that way or can’t change is not totally valid by any means.
Another misconception is that attempting to change one’s sexual preference is harmful. Yes, like any desired change, it can be difficult and can cause some anxiety. That however is to be expected. So far I have not heard anyone in this debate say one should try to change his or her sexual preference. Most people couldn’t care less about what another person’s sexual preference is or might be.
One more thing, the local schools in my area are teaching the different combinations of families: a mom and a dad, two dads, and two moms. If as you say these state-owned schools are not teaching “marriage”, then how do you explain the fact they are sending the message to children that SS relationships among parents are the equivalent of those involving opposite-sex relationships? Quite frankly, to me, your statement, ‘Maine schools do not teach “marriage” and will not teach SSM’, sounds like a misrepresentation , even though I’m quite sure you did not intend to make a misrepresentation.
First, you claim that IF SSM passes, schools will teach it.
Then you claim that schools are already teaching it.
Come on.
I hate to break it to you, but same sex partners have been involved in PTA meetings in Maine and have picked up their kids from public schools for over 20 years now. Their existence has been no secret to your precious children. How do YOU propose they should have been dealt with ? Perhaps by stoning them ? What exactly IS it that you propose be done ? Be honest now, kids ask teachers questions. Tell us the truth, tell us what you expect.
I enjoy your posts because you make the choice a LOT easier for me to make.
Cite the studies you claim are proof of your position. I know you don’t actually cite them because they either don’t prove what you claim, or are faked.
I know that most gay people who try to change discover they can’t; yet you constantly lie about them, malign them, and judge them in a manner which is hardly consistent with anything any real devout Christian would do. Simply pretending that people do not exist does not make them cease to exist.
Stop lying about people you have OBVIOUSLY made no effort whatsoever to know anything about.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
There is no maligning on my part. For instance, you can readily check out the twin studies on homosexuality yourself. As to teaching homosexuality as normal behavior, it is happening in the school system in my area under the guise of “comprehensive sex ed”. Right now Maine schools are free to set up their own sex ed curriculum. If SSM is approved by voters it is just a matter of time before the courts of this state will mandate this type of curriculum. It’s all part of the homosexual agenda. Now, tell me what part of this is a lie. My intent in not to malign anyone but to show some false assumptions being used to support the argument for SSM.
whawell ….. unless you are living in an alternate reality, opposite-sex people engage in sexual behaviors which fall under the definition of sodomy. They need to be educated on safe sex practices. Again local school boards set curriculm … if you have concerns or complaints you have the right to take them to your school board.
PS Citing “the homosexual agenda” greatly reduces credibility …… it is right-wing extremist political propaganda used to promote fear and emotional reaction as well as to deny LGBT individuals civil rights and human rights.
whawell…. Social Studies curriculum does indeed include the teaching of communities and families, especially in the lower elementary grades. It is local school boards that set and approve a school’s curriculum. When families are being taught about, it is
to provide children with information to show that the family unit can be comprised of various individuals. Not all children live in a nuclear family. Omitting acknowledgment of other family units would be akin to pretending that other families exist. Many live with foster families, have been adopted, live with extended family, live with a parent (unmarried, divorced, or widow/widower),
in shared custody arrangements, with same-sex parents….. the goal is to teach children the similarities, differences and variances of a family unit. If you or others have concerns with your local school curriculum then you are free to go to your local school board and share them.
I have not said that no one can change ….. however, IMO the majority of those who claim “change” have changed their behavior, not their orientation. Alan Chambers of Exodus International (one of the leading organizations that offer “change” therapy) has stated that 99.9% of those who go through this therapy do not experience change in their orientation. There are many first-person accounts of the harm attempted “change” has caused. Your opinion that they do not experience long-term emotional or mental health harm is akin to saying that people do not suffer harm after being emotionally abused by a parent or spouse. IE: A child who grows up being told by a parent that they are “worthless, stupid, unwanted” is not harmed emotionally.
There are several recent valid studies that prove that children raised in stable two parent homes generally do better than those raised in other situations. These studies include two parent households of both opposite-sex parents and same-sex parents. The Regnerus study was not based on subjects who were raised exclusively in same-sex households. Only two of the participants
were. The question that “qualified” participants was that they had a parent who had ever had a same-sex experience. The majority of the participants were raised by a single parent, divorced parents and married opposite-sex homes. His findings are not a valid
representation of children raised in same-sex households.
As far as posters not suggesting “change” ….either you were not on the forums in the past when Exodus International posts were a daily event or you do not believe that stating “change” is possible as a suggestion that people do so then I don’t know what to tell you.
ooops..sorry lyndme…meant to respond to whawell…so sorry that there have been those who have hurled epithets at you..that has been done to me as well…I feel your pain.
Perhaps you posted this under my comment rather than whawells
I have been out for many years, was married to my wife for over 12 years, have been widowed for 10 months…… and have been called so many disrespectful terms I have lost track ….
You really don’t know what you’re talking about and need to study. I bet many of your sources have a religious bent to them and have been published by groups like NARTH and EXODUS International. Either that or, are you actually speaking from personal experience…were you once gay and now have changed?….I challenge you to go out of your way and make some friends with GLBT people and ask them your questions and see what they have to say about their business, seeing that you have take it upon yourself to make their issues so important to you? What’s in their business for you, buddy? Why not get the truth from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. They are adults and can speak for themselves…will you listen to them? Do you need to come out? If not, be quiet and leave these poor people alone alrerady. Sheesh!
If all of the Bible-believing Christians really thought about everything they’re saying, and applied it to themselves as well (do unto others as you would have them do unto you), they would stop and turn around and do an immediate “about-face”. In Bible times, marriage was a written contract between the two people wanting to enter into it, and they were the sole arbitrators of the contract. Society simply went along with it…there was not a need to get a “marriage license” and the entity we now called the “state” did not exist in the same way back then as to regulate marriage. It’s a shame that we aren’t able to follow this ethic again, today, but I think we’re slowly getting there.
If you think it’s butter, but it’s not – it’s Chiffon !
I miss that commercial…
Why aren’t the homosexuals screaming “separation of church and state” now? Hypocrites.
I have consistently pointed out that you do not have to stand against gays and lesbians when you are a Christian. The message of the gospel is one of love and redemption through forgiveness.
In your distorted and perverted view of the Gospel. Homosexuality is an abomination according to the Bible and God has given you over to a depraved mind to do those things. It’s all quite clear. It is also quite clear that there are those that will pervert the truth to satisfy their lusts. Youre guilty.
Judge much cp444?
Paul stated that marriage was for those who could not control their sexual urges/desires/lust ….. are you part of that group? Guess you didn’t pray for deliverence hard enough.
Paul is refering to walking Gods path and doing His work. It is easier to move from place to place and teach others when you have no one to look after and no distractions. But it is better to marry then to just sleep around to satifsy sexual desires.
Your buy bull is irrelevant. You chose it, you can have it.
We all know from reading your posts that you believe that marriage is only defined by the ability of a couple to engage in coitus. It does not matter if there is love or if the reproductive organs or genitalia functions properly … it only matters if the act of coitus is a possibility.
For someone so against gay sex, you sure spend a lot of time thinking about it.
If you value freedom of religion as much as you appear to, what are your thoughts on the Crystal Springs First Baptist Church’s refusal to allow a black couple to marry in their church? Should they have allowed the ceremony to be officiated in their church because it was a marriage of one man and one woman or should they be allowed to discriminate because of the couple’s race?
I think they should be able to set their own “rules” based on their freedom of religion even though I disagree with their discriminating on the basis of race.
It also further points out that despite the discrimination being reprehensible the state does not have the jurisdiction force a church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees.
It will not be any different when same-sex civil marriage becomes legal.
False.
If you believe gay sex in wrong…don’t practice it.
Not everyone follows your Gospel or believes in your God. Just because you subscribe to the logic of. God said it, I believe it and that settles it. Doesn’t make you right.
Try thinking for yourself for once instead of being a sheep.
Are those with depraved minds who practice heterosexuality allowed to marry? Are those who practice heterosexuality who only wish to “satisfy their lusts” allowed to marry? Oh that’s right …. marriage is meant for heterosexuals who are unable to control their lust …. sometimes that Paul said some smart things ;-)
Cult temple prostitution/idolatrous sexual worship is the abomination addressed in Lev. 18:22 and Lev 20:13, as well as in the Sodom story, Romans, 1 Cor. 6:9 and 1 Tim. 1:10. Historically, the context of what those passages are condemning is lost to us now…how many people live next to a Temple of Aphrodite or a House of Milcom/Molech/Chemosh? Jesus mentions people who were born eunuchs from their mothers’ wombs. Science says that gay/trans/bisexual/intersex people are “born that way”. Jesus and science are in agreement on this one. Isaiah mentions eunuchs in chap. 56 of his prophetic book and actually has something quite positive to say about these people. Can it be that the “Bible-believing” group of our day again has its Biblical facts “all screwed up”? It happened when women wanted to vote with the sufragettes in the 1910s, it happened again in the 1920s even until now with birth control and reproductive rights and then again with American Natives and Blacks being counted as “fractions of a person” in the constitution as far as the census was concerned, and then again with the treatment of blacks in the 1960s civil rights movement, women preachers, etc. etc. etc. In every case, people were denied their personhood and mocked into non-personhood, painted by the powers that be in government/denomination negatively and often the Scriptures were distorted in their use as a weapon against those who were being put down, and in every case, over time, justice prevailed in the direction of the oppressed party. God have mercy on us all again in the plight of GLBTs. In the 1950s-1960s it was outlawed in several states for interracial couples to marry…”Miscegenation laws”…and our Christian brothers and sisters were whipping out their Bibles to prevent people from getting married based on Old Testament Hebrew racial purity codes that do not apply to us now as a “Gentile Christian” society at large. All of this “Biblical Oppression” of our neighbors just makes me sick…kind of like reading about the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s in Massachusetts Bay Colony makes me sick. Difference is, Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded as a Christian Theocracy, but the United States of America IS NOT a theocracy. So how we end up with such “Biblically-wrong-and-out-of-context-in-every-way” arguments in the public sphere, where we DO have a separation of church and state, is revolting.
And we have a jeolous God. Their is more to Christianity and Jesus than love. If not read the whole Bible, including where Jesus says a man shall leave his mother and father for a wife.
The law does not force any church to marry a same sex couple. If it did then it would violate the 1st Amendment cp444.
And that is something that Bob Emrich has acknowledged right here in this very paper.
But let us not forget that there is this new argument about religious freedom where people want to be allowed to discriminate face-to-face with someone if that person somehow does something that is against that individuals religion.
Well I would have to ask for an example Joe.
I thought Rev. Bob jumped off the bridge, why drag that stuff up again!
You have the wrong Rev. Bob …..Emrich is alive and kicking. Proves you need to check before you post., unless you know something the rest of us don’t :-)
Does not mean they won’t try. Give them time.
Like how churches have to marry interracial couples, even if it “violates their religious beliefs”? Oh wait, churches don’t have to do that…
Heck they don’t even have to marry non-white couples if they dont want too.
Proof: Crystal Springs First Baptist Church in Mississippi ….
Please explain the legal theory which would allow a law to be passed and enforced which would force a church to marry a same sex couple where church doctrine does not allow for the marriage.
And while you are in the legal theory mode, please explain how that law is not on its face in violation of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Why should SSM backers and SSM couples even try? They know they aren’t welcome in many conservative churches but are welcome in plenty of others.
Please cite where a church, any church, has been forced to host a wedding for any couple. Please cite where a member of clergy has been forced to officiate a marriage for any couple. Interracial marriage has been legal throughout the nation for 45 years ….. has an interracial couple ever forced a church to host or clergy member to officiate? Interfaith couples? Non-members? Same-sex couples in states where SSM is legal? A divorced couple? A couple with a child or children born out of wedlock? Churches have the freedom to refuse to host or officaite any marriage that is agaisnt their doctrine … 1st Amendment.
Believe me, I have asked your questions a dozen times. All I hear in response is the chirping of crickets.
What I find so utterly bizarre are these claims that a religious restaurant worker would be “forced to serve a gay couple!” Oh, the horror.
How is that any different than in 1960 when a white waitress was “forced to serve” a black couple?
I don’t see one bit of difference yet people make these statements like it is perfectly acceptable to discriminate against gay couples in a “public business” (licensed to serve ALL of the public).
Substitute the word “black” for “gay” and it sounds identical! And, it sounds as appalling today as it did in 1960.
It’s my opinion that they don’t have answers, they don’t know how to answer …. or they haven’t learned the responses they are supposed give ;)
You are like a dog with a bone…. what’s it to you anyway.
His marraige will be negatively effected …… it will cause his marriage to be adversely affected …. to not count and not be “special” to his spouse and him. :-)
Why are you so angry that there are those of faith who support the 14th amendment? They disagree with specific scripture that you isolate to demonize those who have a different orientation than you …. do they not qualify for the same freedom of religion or speech as you?
Some HAVE been. There are plenty of churches willing to wed them.
Beware of false prophets, and those what would lead sheep astray.
And beware of false zealots …
That might be a good point, IF anyone was claiming to be a prophet.
There are plenty who claim to be “prophets’ …. Lou Engle, Joyce Meyer, Rick Joyner …. and they have hundreds of thousands of followers…. pretty sad.
This has what to do with the subject ?
Absolutely nothing.
It was in reference to “false prophets” ….. those I mentioned are self-claimed “prophets” and they have a great number of followers.
bruce …. devout Catholics believe anyone who is not a devout Catholic is being lead astray, Orthodox Jews believe everyone else is being lead astray, Fundementalist Evagelical Christians believe everyone else is being lead astray, Mormons, Fundmentalist Muslims, 7th Day Adventists, Pentacostals, the list goes on …… all believe that those who do not adhere to their doctines are being lead astray … you see how that works?
Yes, especially those in the Religious Right…..they are neither.
Why are you denying their freedom of religion? Do you not expect them to respect your feedom of religion?
Oh, I think bringing in those churches who are willing to perform SSM drives home the point even further. The anti-SSM people overwhelmingly justify their disagreement with SSM based upon the particular beliefs they and their church hold.
This, of course, has zero to do with civil marriage. By bringing in the pro-SSM churches it just proves the anti-SSM churches are not only attempting to deny civil rights to citizens but they are attempting to infringe upon the religious freedom of other faiths.
Not only is it a wise move politically, it also is very effective in showing the disagreement among the faiths on this issue. So, basically, it is the Catholics, the Mormons, and the Southern Evangelicals and Fundamentalists that are against SSM. There seem to be a whole lot more faiths in favor of SSM, and more every day.
Gay people exist because heterosexuals crank out babies….get the connection already?
Everybody wins with YES ON ONE!
wrong NO ON ONE!
Wrong.
You know what difference does it make anyway. Nobody takes a committed relationship seriously anymore, straight or gay. Look at the statistics.
Vote No!
Granting same-sex couples a license to marry will not create true marriage. Neither two men nor two women can become one flesh. Licensing the unnatural does not make it natural. It would be a state-sanctioned counterfeit, a sham and a fraud. A licensed electrician cannot produce power by taping two same-sex plugs together. Homosexual sex is dangerous and destructive to the human body and powerless for human reproduction.
I can’t reproduce, should my husband and I be divorced because of it?
As long as you’re a husband and wife you’re fine:)
So reproduction is not a “requirement” for issuing a marriage license or for a couple to be married then. Good to see you are finally coming around cp444
But marriage is about the children …. that is why the state has an interest in preserving it for one man and one woman … it is for the children. No “true” marriage lacks children …. according to the main arguements presented by the “protectors of traditional marriage”. Without children what is the point … it’s only benefits those selfish childless adults.
“Selfish childish adults”…the most ridiculous argument I’ve read so far.
But that is one of the arguments….. it is ridiculous but they own it.
Says you. Apparently, it isn’t with all of the “only reason is to have children” propaganda.
Yeah, and having heterosexual couples to marry proves true marriages as well, right, given the 60% + divorce rate amongst them? (Sigh)
How many people are not a true marriage now that are not same sex couples ? The same was said about interrachel marriage not being natural . So dose that mean that if you don’t have kids that you should not get married ?
cant you come up with new arguments?
perhaps when people like you understand that being able to reproduce is not a requirement to get a marriage license. If it was, the state would be issuing fertility tests for every marriage license.
The state would also have to have couples sign a contract promising to reproduce and if they fail to do so their marriage license would be invalid.
The conservative side has lacked any new arguments, certainly not any valid ones.
So what you are telling me is that you have no come back so you used this .
Really, you do not homosexual relationships have been going on in nature for 10,000’s of years right? An electrician can not create power with one cut wire. Should a man with a vasectomy or a women with her tubes tied never be allow to marry? BOOM ROASTED!
Really , you might be surprised to learn that those facts have also been distorted
http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/08/10/nature-journalists-distort-animal-studies-of-gay-sexuality/
Hardly a credible source PS. Also your source say absolutely nothing about homosexuality in nature, expect that homosexuality is a human made up word so be careful.
CitizenLink a Focus on the Family Affiliate.
Making them irrelevant to anyone but hate mongers.
Oh it is a-okay because they are still able to engage in coitus …..? That’s all that counts in a marriage right?
Just curious — WHY is it “unnatural”????
because a man and a man can not have a child , nor a a women and a women naturally.
But there is no mention of reproduction in the civil marriage law…. it does not mandate that a couple reproduces and it does not disqualitfy those that cannot. Curious, is it not? State civil marriage licenses make no mention of the ability or the inability to reproduce.
Ah, but as before, they can, just like infertile hetero couples.
well, gee whiz, brucie baby, did you ever consider they could adopt? ESPECIALLY AMERICAN CHILDREN?? I think you are probably a Catholic priest or something, but I am so sick of seeing the TV ads from some church or other on adopting or feeding children overseas when we could be feeding AND adopting our own??? Also you are WRONG in that women cannot have children of their own!! Even woman to woman!!! Ever heard of artificial insemination? WOW – where have you been the last few years?? In a seminary?? Men could AND have adopted children – but PLEASE stay in the USA and adopt here. If anyone learned a lesson on that woman who sent the boy back to RUSSIA because he had a problem she could not deal with– (please note that she has been served papers to provide child support for the boy for the rest of his life)– what a lesson learned there huh!!! Even fostering children would be a help to the overworked Social Services, if adoption is not on the agenda!!! No, I am not an atheist, I am very senior (in my 80’s) and I was adopted and raised by a very loving but poor family, and raised in the Catholic Church too!!! I had 6 children, and adopted two more after my youngest left home, — all 8 have seen college, with one who is a professor in a college in Washington State. So all this doo-doo about not allowing someone to marry just because they are not (in your eyes) and man and woman, but a woman and woman, and a man and man, is a crock of crap. They are not out to kill you, they just want to be left alone to live their lives. Who is to say they may have a child or adopt a child who grows up to be President of the World in a couple of generations from now!!! Think about it!!! Get off your high horse!!!
Well, if that can’t happen when people of the same gender marry, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If they think they’re married but YOU know they’re not, then what’s the harm?
another of God’s teachings on morality:
if a man discovers on his wedding night that his bride is not a virgin, he must stone her to death on her father’s doorstep (Deuteronomy 22:13-21).”
That might actually encourage people to stay chaste until marriage. Not a bad idea . . .
And that’s worked out real well hasn’t it.
And what about a virginity test for the guy? (Howls of protest). Otherwise, it’s more misogyny.
There are cultures in the world where they actually believe and practice this.
I’ll let their results speak for themselves !
Try reading the whole Bible. “He who is without sin cast the first stone”
Are you without sin? Are you casting stones? Are you judging others ….. is that not God’s domain?
“Now go and sin no more”….maybe you read it yourself.
Technically, a licensed electrician cannot produce power using two different plugs either. Electricity requires a generator of some kind to ‘power’ the transmission of electrons through the flow of the cables.
And while we’re on it – if you properly touch two male ends of your average power cord together, you can send electrical signals through it. Might be hard for you, but an electrician could properly tape them together with a bit of PVC tape.
Also, technically the male/female ends are just adapters for the flow of electrons. If you disregard the parts/adapters someone might have, you could draw an analogy that it isn’t about the ‘adapters’. It’s about the flow. Of love.
Also, you’re a bigot. What people do together in the bedroom, or who they choose to pay taxes with, and live in a home with should be none of your concern. Go thump your bible someplace else.
Bravo!!!
Beautifully stated.
Most straight couples don’t marry to reproduce. Also, gays and lesbians can reproduce, it’s called science. Not sure how an electrician, unless gay, has anything to do w/your argument.
Some gay couples even have children from a previous straight marriage. My own boyfriend has two kids from when he was married to a woman in an effort to try to become straight. And science-using science to help a couple have a baby started with straight couples back in the 1980’s. There are many possibilities.
There are also too many people on this planet anyway.
As for the electrician example, I remember a crude letter I read in the local paper in 1986 where a woman said that just because a gasoline nozzle fit in the radiator hole doesn’t mean it belongs there. These silly examples that compare human relations to mechanical workings mean nothing.
gays and lesbian’s can not reporduce without the other gender.
And the ability of opposite-sex couples to reproduce does not depend on whether or not they have a marriage license nor does it automatically make them good parents does it? Remember all the children who are put up for or available for adoption due neglect or abuse or by choice are conceived by opposite-sex coitus….. some of those couple are legally married (as in the case of one of my nephews).
And a sterile heterosexual couple cannot reproduce either….your point?
Biological fact but so what? Ever heard of adoption (alleged pushed by the anit-abortion crowd) or in vitro fertilization? Used by both hetero and SSM couples.
And you don’t have to be MARRIED to reproduce, so the whole reproducing thing is null and void
As if there’s an issue with the number of babies being born in our country. Why the focus on that? There will ALWAYS be babies born.
But if gays can get married, then everyone else will turn gay! And if everyone turns gay, then no one will have babies because all gays are physically incapable of makin’ babies, no matter what! If we can’t make babies no more, then we’ll have to import babies from China! Gay marriage is a plot from the Chinese government to take over the United States! It all makes sense now!
LOL
Well where to start where to start…
A marriage license is a civil license issued by the state which allows a couple to choose between a religious or civil ceremony. A couple is no more or less married in either ceremony.
Many activities that heterosexual couples engage in are “dangerous found in the human body” but I don’t see anyone calling for a ban or limits on those activities. Hint: many of the activities engaged in by homosexual/lesbian couples are also sexual activities found in heterosexual relationships.
Finally, there is no requirement found anywhere on the marriage license application that states a marriage in Maine is for “human reproduction”.
And we have already voted no on this issue.
Bruce I really hate to break the news to you but we haven’t voted “no” on SSM. If you voted no in 2009 you voted to uphold the law as passed and signed into law. If you voted “yes” then you voted to repeal the law in 2009.
Bruce is proving that he does not check the validity of his comments before he posts.
Your mistake, don’t repeat.
Marriage is NOT based on sex for the general population .. it is based on love, respect, commitment, mutual support etc. If your marriage is based only on coitus then it is based on lust … lust is not the basis of marriage.
I am thinking what a man dose to a woman is just as dangerous as what a woman does to a woman lol. It not than I feel bad for you and your wife .
And what a man does with a man is sometimes the same as a man does with a woman or a woman does with a man …… just as dangerous.
The analogies get more and more far fetched, sounding desperate. And state sanctioned marriage is the only one legal and that includes all church marriages (which are optional).
You are so obsessed with sex acts …. do you really believe that to become “one flesh” is all about coitus? Marriage is a partnership …. two people together in love, cooperation, support, respect, commitment ….. loving the other more than yourself, making sacrifices for each other, putting them and their needs before your own. Two separate individuals who become one unit. If you believe that be becoming one flesh is conceiving a child who shares on half you each person’s DNA then those who don’t reproduce or cannot reproduce should not be allowed to marry. Those who are unable to engage in coitus because of a medical condition should not be allowed to marry. If becoming one flesh is as I described (one unit in heart, mind and soul) then infertile couples, elderly couples, couples who are unable to engage in coitus by nature or accident or medical condition (even same-sex couples) and couples who choose to marry and practice celibacy should be allowed to marry.
Am so tired of those who define marriage only by sex acts … if that is what marriage is about to them, they don’t understand marriage.
PS Heterosexual couples engage in several of the same sex acts as homosexuals do …. should those hetrerosexual couples be denied marriage for the same ‘reason’? Many hetersexual couples are unable to reproduce …. should they be denied marriage for the same ‘reason’?
If that is true…why do men have nipples…they don’t lactate…or have you lactated and nursed lately…..doesn’t sound too natural to me either.
When will these liberals understand that they can’t legislate morality? I’m so sick and tired of their constant attempts to impose their religious views on the rest of us – arrogantly thumbing their collective nose at the establishment clause…
I think treating each other equally under the law is the moral and right thing to do. How does my eventual civil marriage license impact your life whatsoever?
I can’t say 100%, but I think dirigodad was being sarcastic and playing with the stereotype that liberals want larger, more intrusive government, while conservatives want smaller government, where, in this case, the opposite is true.
On re-reading, yep!
Oh no, his/her comment has proved me wrong, they were actually serious. I don’t know if that makes the comment funnier or sadder.
You are quick….
A) Your response doesn’t address the argument at hand – it’s a red herring.
B) It’s wonderful that you think that. On what do you base your thoughts? Do you have an objective standard?
C) Everyone is already treated equally under the law. Everyone already has the opportunity to get married under the law. Key word – marriage, which involves one man and one woman.
D) Why is it ok for liberals to advance their religious causes and impose them into codified law, but not ok for conservatives?
In the 1960’s, everyone was treated equally under the law. Everyone already has the opportunity to get married under the law. Key word – marriage, which involves one man and one woman of the same race.
“Why is it ok for liberals to advance their religious causes and impose them into codified law, but not ok for conservatives?” – It depends, what rights will you lose if the liberal side wins, because I can tell you what rights I would lose if the conservative side wins..
Another red herring. The race factor doesn’t have any bearing here. It’s apples and oranges.
You won’t lose any rights if the conservative side wins. However, if President Obama’s recent actions are a precedent, it would be a big blow for religious liberty.
How? How does allowing civil marriage to same-sex couples infringe on religious liberty?
There are churches today who deny people for marriage ceremonies, but those couples are allowed civil marriage. Excommunicated catholics, non-muslims seeking marriage in a mosque… There was a story this year about a black couple denied marriage in a church they attended. The first amendment protects the churches from having to hold the marriages, but our government cannot discriminate against these couples for the civil marriage license.
I see that when someone asks dirigodad honest questions to back up his statements, he falls silent.
Or quite possibly he has a life beyond the comments section of the BDN.
We all witnessed PBHO’s Flukish assault on religious liberty earlier this year, even though it was a clear power grab in violation of the 1st Amendment. If you don’t think that could happen if reference to marriage laws should “gay marriage” become legal, you’ve got your head in the sand.
That’s a poor reason to deny someone equal treatment under the law, honestly.
Are you being denied the right to worship according to your beliefs?
Are you being denied to pray?
Are you being denied the right to purchase, read or possess the Bible?
Are you being forced to buy and use contraception?
Are you being denied equal protection under the establishment clause?
Exactly how is your religious liberty being assaulted?
I’m pretty sure that if the conservative side wins, I lose the right to equal protection under the law. Also, my first statement is not a red herring. Your logic, that same sex couples already have the same rights because you can only marry someone of the opposite sex, is the same as the logic used in the 60’s. It didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.
When the government refuses to allow women who are past the age of childbearing to enter into civil marraige, maybe I’ll agree with your arguments.
When the government refuses to allow men who are impotent or have had vasectomies, maybe I’ll agree with your arguments.
When the governement become a theocracy, maybe I’ll agree with your arguments.
When the federal govenment and state govenments stop legally issuing and recognizing civil marriage licenses, maybe I’ll agree with your arguments.
Untill then your arguments are nothing more than red herrings.
Gays and lesbian lost the right to enter into civil marriage when the voters repealed the law that extended the priviledge of civil marriage licenses to them.
Religious Liberty has not been compromised …….. every state that has extended civil marraige to same-sex couples has protected the religious freedom of clergy and churches to refuse to take part. No where in the US has a clergy member or a church been challenged or forced to perform a same-sex marraige ceremony.
You feel your religious liberty is being threatened because you are not able to force others to conform and follow your religious beliefs.
How would it be a big blow to the religious liberty of the churches that support SSM ?
I think you’re confused about what “religious liberty” means.
Well now they don’t. Saying everyone can equally get married under the law is like ford saying, you can get the model T in any color as long as its black. Also what religious cause are liberals trying to advance?
Yes. Legislating morality can’t be done. It’s within yourself. So, if you find this immoral, then don’t do it. A majority of people don’t find it as such.
Now theres a brilliant way for society to run.
Must really anger you that we no longer have laws against same-sex relations, don’t it?
One thing makes him angry is that not everyone agrees with him. Another is that people actually call him out when he lies …. to counter the calling out he insults them then he either attacks them on a personal level or ignores them …. if he doesn’t respond it is like they just don’t exist ;-) but he knows better than that.
I do not like canned pasta. It’s not hate, I find it discusting.. Why do the thought police find a need to make everyone think the same way?? people have opinions and beliefs and I shall not deny them that.
Yet you don’t stand against other people enjoying canned pasta, do you?
So why not accept that there are legitimate same-sex couples who deserve to protect their lives together with civil marriage, even if you would never find yourself in a same-sex relationship? Why must you keep restricting their equal treatment under our laws?
That is how it is run now. Things that people find immoral are not illegal, and happen everyday.
Yea man, it it feels good do it! LOL
Do you do things that “feel good” that others might believe are immoral according to their beliefs?
What an outrageous anti-gay lie, it’s the anti-gays who are trying to legislate THEIR fake morality onto all other Americans with these dirty anti-gay Hate Laws.
And how about gay hatred becasue one does not believe in it.
Bruce could you list the last beating, etc…that occurred because a person choose to sleep with a member of the opposite sex. When you have successfully provided that piece of information then and only then can you play the heterosexual victim card.
Wonder if he is still searching or if he is unable to find one.
Interesting post dirigo…you do understand that there is nothing in the law we are voting on in November that requires a religious organization to marry a SSM couple if it goes against religious doctrine.
Now that we have gotten that matter out of the way your complaint is what?
Like the current GOP platform to abolish all abortion ?
Ooops !
No it’s not, and if you were well read you would know that that was an untruth.. They quoted liberals pretending to be republicans.
http://factcheck.org/2012/08/gop-platform-on-abortion/
I suggest people decide who is telling “untruths” and who is not.
If people are unaware of their own party’s stance, they have no one to blame but themselves !
On the flip side … When will extremeist conservatives understand that they can’t legislate morality?
Well i see mousy the portland elected spokesman for dems is at it again. Just pull his string and he say’s and does whatever the lefty’s want.Do any of these people have a job or are they all paid by the DNC.
It really bothers you that “dems” have the SAME Freedom of Speech you have, doesn’t it?
I burns him up that anyone who doesn’t agree with him 100% has Freedom of Speech! :-)
You are not a dem, you are a liberal, it’s time for you liberals to stop soiling the democratic party.
Hypocrites? Not I. I have never said the churches shouldn’t be involved. I have said I don’t agree with some of the churches and I have said it’s inappropriate for the Catholic church to pass that second plate to get money to fight SSM, but *I* have never said that churches shouldn’t be involved because my own church is involved. I believe in equality.
So, let’s stop generalizing, brah.
How big of you.
A) what is the argument at hand?
B) The right thing to do because it benefits hundreds of people across the state.
C) Those who are not attracted to people of the opposite sex don’t have the opportunity to marry the person that he or she loves. Is not marriage about spending the rest of your life with the one you love?
D) “Okay for liberals to advance their religious causes…”? That’s a new one! Well, the short answer is that this is a civil matter and these churches are saying that some churches accept it and some don’t and it’s okay. Should this pass this November, those churches can still not accept it.
Mythology is not needed here.
It sure makes for some hilarious arguments, though !
All I can say is that it’s good to know that the ignorance will slowly die off. I just wish it wouldn’t take so long.
If it takes twenty more years it will still happen eventually.
What I find amusing is that most of you already know and like/love someone that is gay. Some know it. Others don’t.
Here’s the biggest anti-gay LIE I’ve read here so far:
“Everyone is already treated equally under the law. Everyone already has the opportunity to get married under the law.”
No, LGBT Americans DO NOT have the SAME right to legal marriage as mixed-sex couples do. The Iowa State Supreme Court unanimously established marriage equality in April 2009, and this is their answer to “You have the same right to marry someone of the opposite sex as anyone else”:
“It is true the marriage statute does not expressly prohibit gay and lesbian persons from marrying; it does, however, require that if they marry, it must be to someone of the opposite sex. Viewed in the complete context of marriage, including intimacy, civil marriage with a person of the opposite sex is as unappealing to a gay or lesbian person as civil marriage with a person of the same sex is to a heterosexual. Thus, the right of a gay or lesbian person under the marriage statute to enter into a civil marriage only with a person of the opposite sex is no right at all. Under such a law, gay or lesbian individuals cannot simultaneously fulfill their deeply felt need for a committed personal relationship, as influenced by their sexual orientation, and gain the civil status and attendant benefits granted by the statute. Instead, a gay or lesbian person can only gain the same rights under the statute as a heterosexual person by negating the very trait that defines gay and lesbian people as a class-their sexual orientation.”
http://www.iowacourtsonline.org/Supreme_Court/Varnum_v_Brien/Supreme_Court_Ruling/
They consistantly disregard that they have the priviledge to marry the person that they love and who loves them, as long as that person is not a closely blood-related consenting adult. It appears that love does not even matter to them …. as long as they don’t have the same genitalia, it’s all good and proper. It seems their arguments are reverting to the time when love wasn’t a factor…… very sad.
Might as well make Polygamy legal as well.
Are you seeing a movement in any state the currently allows SSM to allow polygamy as well?
No but we can’t discriminate against individuals who want more than one wife or husband at a time.
Yes, we can, that’s something completely different, as any lawyer can tell you.
Oh so you’re saying that discriminating against polygamists is fine. Allowing them to marry more than once won’t affect you in any way.
Oops! Snap! You got ‘im!!! Well, there goes out argument. Busted!
Yes, it would mess up Social Security, for one. Give it a rest. We all know that’s just anti-gay propaganda.
How could social security get more messed up than it already is?
And you want to make it worse? Tough luck on that, the polygamists don’t want legal marriage.
Are you capable of answering a simple question Bear?
The question asked was: “Are you seeing a movement in any state the currently allows SSM to allow polygamy as well?”
Well are you?
That’s complete NONSENSE. We KNOW for a FACT that the ONLY people in America who want some form of polygamy DO NOT want legal marriage. Remember the trial of Warren Jeffs? He pretended to “marry” barely post-pubescent girls. In the morning, after he had his “fun,” he took these girls to go apply for welfare. A LEGAL marriage would destroy his welfare scam!
That’s funny, two hours ago the headline read, “Same-sex marriage rally draws nearly 300, takes religious tone.” Either way I’d say it was a pretty bad showing given all the hype about how Mainers are in favor of SSM. Pretty clear indication that the measure is once again going to fail.
You seem so SURE that anti-gays will be able to HURT their fellow Mainers who are LGBT again. We know the anti-gays thought they were going to LOSE the last time, so they cheated and violated Maine law. The anti-gay Hate Cult NOM is STILL in VIOLATION of Maine law.
Are anti-gays once again committing criminal acts to THROW the upcoming Vote?
I never realized that people voting for what they believed in was a criminal act.
The Maine Ethics Commission caught anti-gays red-handed violating campaign finance and disclosure laws. Those were CRIMINAL ACTS. That’s why the NOM people are staying away personally, what we DON’T know yet is how much CASH they are slipping to the anti-gays here this time.
It will fail due to an overwhelming number of ignorant people.
Somehow I doubt calling people ignorant will help your cause!
I don't expect it to.
This will be settled in the courts. Popular opinion will not matter.
“Ignorant” means lacking knowledge, not stupid. How many Mainers voted “Yes” the last time because they were told by anti-gays that “Yes” supported equality? Anti-gays have been deceptive in ALL these anti-gay Hate Votes. How about that lying op-ed-piece?
That’s why you should do the Christian thing.
Forgive them.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing. False teachers. The Bible in NO place supports the gay life style. In EVERY instance it is spoken of in the Bible is condemned. These bags of wind you are parading as representatives of God are sadly misusing and twisting the Scriptures to please everyone with their feel good religion. The Bible doesn’t make everyone feel good you know. Sin has to be dealt with and the Bible is very specific that homosexuality is sin. It does not belong openly condoned and practiced in society. If the gay community really believed what the Bible says about the gay lifestyle they would be declaring themselves unclean like the lepers of the old testament. It is unclean, immoral and a great societal ill. It is sicking to see this in anyway accepted in our society to those of us who truly believe the bible and what it says about it.
(Rom 1:26-28)
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient”
Here’s something someone gave me on the subject of Jesus and same gender couples:
http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/gay_couple.html
Jesus affirmed a gay couple. Read Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. From our days in Sunday school, many of us are familiar with the Gospel story where Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion. In the original Greek, the word that the Roman centurion uses in this passage to describe the sick man – pais – is the same word used in ancient Greek to refer to a same-gender partner.
Please stop trying to drag Jesus down to your level, Untrue.
Those passages hardly support the gay lifestyle. The word for the servant used in Matthew 8 is pais as you said but it simply refers to a child servant. In fact the word for this same servant in the Luke passage you quoted is doulos which means slave. It does Not mean same gender partner.
This passage though is a good illustration of our subject because a homosexual / gay person is a slave – a slave to his sin. And yes, Jesus heals and the homosexual needs to be healed just like the leper mentioned in the passages you quoted. When the leper was healed by Jesus he was no longer a leper. When a gay person is healed by Jesus he is cleansed from his sin and he is no more a gay person.
Some people only search their bible to try and find something in support of what they want to be true. People need to search the bible so they can find out what is true and make their life fit that – not the other way around. The person you got your information from has it backwards.
I didn’t post them to try to get you to recognize what you saw about LGBT Americans is immoral, untrue, but every time some anti-gay posts LIES here, someone is going to answer back with the TRUTH. Spare us your obsession with “gay sex,” we also know scientists have proven WHY you’re obsessed with that.
Post one direct passage from the Bible that addresses a loving same-sex couple and condemns the love they have for each other …. have been waiting for someone who “truly understands” the Bible to do so….. you could be the one.
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
“Post one direct passage from the Bible that addresses a loving same-sex couple and condemns the love they have for each other …..”
What part of this request do you not comprehend?
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Where is love mentioned? Where are loving same-sex couples mentioned or condemned for loving each other?
“Post one direct passage from the Bible that addresses a loving same-sex couple and condemns the love they have for each other …..”What part of this request do you not comprehend?
Would you care to try again?
It is right there. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections. Pathos is the original word used for affections in the original text. It means affection, passion and lust. It is one of several words used for love in the Bible.
In this passage Pathos is not used to denote love … in the New Testament, Pathos denoted a negative; unbridaled emotion, uncontrollable sexual urges, lust …. Stating that it is used here as a synonym for love is dishonest. The subjects in this Chapter were Pagans practicing fertility rituals (rituals they believed would increase their fertility), these ritual had nothing to do with love. If you believe they did then you have a very different idea of what love is than I.
Frank was wrong, I guess. Love and marriage DON’T go together like a hose and carriage, it seems.
That’s why Jesus had so much to say about gay people.
Oh, wait, he didn’t have anything to say about them…
Ooops !
He didn’t say anything about child molesting either but just as sure as He is against that sin He is against the sin of homosexuality. He does mention Sodom and Gomorrah a number of different times – the city was known for it’s deviant immoral homosexual lifestyles.
And Jesus did DEFINE marriage as between a man and a woman so that settles the question.
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. ”
(Matthew 19:4-6)
Keep casting those stones, and we’ll keep praying that you someday understand scripture a little bit better.
He was answering a very specific question about putting away (divorcing) one’s wife … unless it was for the reason of adultery …. marriage was a lifetime commitment.
Might I suggest that you consider “those who abuse themselves with mankind” …. could it possibly include child molestation or rape or the sexually abusing another?
I am not stating that is absolutely does ….. but is it possible?
Are you free of sin? Are you the foremost authority on the “proper” interpretation of all Books of the Bible?
Could you be healed of your heterosexuality …… not your heterosexual behavior, not celibacy or abstaining …. but your orientation, you know cured of your attraction to someone of the opposite sex? I know you probably don’t wish to be but could you be “cleansed” and no longer be heterosexual?
Your buybull is meaningless.
It is not our civil law. You chose to live by it, then do so.
It is not, however, enforced as civil law.
Of course it wouldn’t be ‘buybull’ if it said something in support of gay marriage would it? Your problem with the bible is it doesn’t say what YOU want it to say.
“Your problem with the bible is it doesn’t say what YOU want it to say.”
That’s what psychologists call a “Freudian Slip.” Untrue knows the Bible was messed with relatively recently, and his hate-based mistranslation is condemned by many, many Christians. So he made that huge mistake by referring to his own fallacy about the Bible.
The problem with the psycho-babbler followers is you never know who is the real authority. One week it’s one person and the next it’s another then it may come full around back to the person that used to be the authority. You are in a vicious, endless, man centered, useless circle of thinking.
Become a follower of God. He never lies, never changes. He is and always will be the Final Authority on all things. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
I don’t know what you are referring to about bible mistranslations but I can tell you that It has always been the same on homosexuality – it is sin.
We all know who the REAL AUTHORITY is in the United States, Untrue, and it isn’t your tacky plaster deity, it’s the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. And we all know the Constitution requires “Equal Protection Under the Law.” Your silly “beliefs” are irrelevant in addition to being a bunch of lies.
It's a part of a religion of control and fear.
And because the Bible says what YOU want it to say means it’s right? Because I don’t agree makes me wrong? This is where I strongly disagree with you. You have no idea who or what or if ANYTHING is judging us, so who are YOU to judge a homosexual and deny them the right to love, honor and cherish their partner until their dying breaths? You don’t. It’s hate; plain and simple.
Thank you Smith003 ……
I am not putting forth what I want the bible to say I am quoting it verbatim.
Actually you left out several verses that are pertinent ….. the ones that state “the reason”.
Please cite one passage in the Bible that 100% condemns a same-sex couple who love each other …. not instances of rape or pagan fertility rituals or idol worship. Are there any passsages that actually address same-sex couples (you know actual same-sex couples who love, respect, honor and want to commit to each other)?
Your use of Romans 1 beginning with 26 omits the “reason” …… convenient for you but not in proving that God condemns the love shared by same-sex couples…. the reason stated is idol worship and uses pagan fertility rituals as an example.
You just don’t get it do you. Pagan worship, idolatry, homosexuality… it’s all disgusting to God no matter what context you find it in.
Thanks for admitting you LIED about the Bible, Untrue.
Anti-gays always lie.
Disgust is an emotion ….. we’ve often been told to leave emotion out of it.
And none are punishable under civil law …… guess you don’t like the US civil laws much?
oh sin will be punished. That is why man needs salvation and that is why Jesus came. Only true believers in Jesus Christ will experience eternal bliss. Unbelievers will experience eternal punishment.
As I have said elsewhere …. I am recently a widow (neither the state of Maine nor the Federal Government of the USA recognizes that status as neither recognized our marriage) and if loving each other is sinful in the eyes of God and we wind up eternally suffering, so be it, we will be together. If He allows us to spend eternity in bliss, so be it, we will be together.
My only question for Him is why He did not take us together.
Assuming you missed this part of my post:
“Please cite one passage in the Bible that 100% condemns a same-sex couple who love each other …. not instances of rape or pagan fertility rituals or idol worship. Are there any passsages that actually address same-sex couples (you know actual same-sex couples who love, respect, honor and want to commit to each other)? “
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Deuteronimy 22:28-29 “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.”
Where is love mentioned anywhere in that old testament quote? Try again.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Whatever happened to “Thou Shalt Not Lie,” untrue? Modern Biblical scholars have proven the Bible was intentionally mistranslated relatively recently in order to provide “Biblical cover” for then-rising levels of homophobia. For example, the word “homosexual” didn’t even exist until 1850. Many major Christian and Jewish denominations condemn misusing the hate-based mistranslations to attack their fellow Americans and are marrying same gender American couples now. About 400-years ago, a group of religious authorities (sanctioned by King James I of England), secretly manipulated the English version of the Bible to reflect their own heterosexual attitude; they opposed the king kissing other men in public. But in revised versions, religious authorities re-defined the Greek word “arsenokoites” of 1Corinthians 6:9! The most accurate translation, abusers of themselves with mankind [KJV], was pretty vague. Nevertheless, they replaced this vague 5-worded text with the not so vague and purposely targeted 1-word text, “homosexual(s).” Either way you cut it, this text does not describe homosexuals. This campaign gave those who were looking for a reason to justify their own homophobia a license to openly express their bigotry.
If you actually beleave this, then read the bible in the original text. There are many aids out there that will give you translations and then the original text with meanings of those words at that time. A great source would be E-Sword, it is free! If you read the bible and truly have an open mind, you will see the truth. If you are just trying to prove your point then you will be blinded to truth.
Linguitist and Bible scholars have been trying for many years figure out what arsenokoites means … and what exactly what Paul meant when he used it …… they have been unable to do so. Perhaps you have figured it out …. care to share your expert knowdge with citations?
It’s bad enough that we have to have to be faced with the vote again on Same Sex Marriage- but do NOT slap us in the face by saying religion teaches that it is ok. It is not. Not only will we vote this down AGAIN in November, we will vote out Obama and end this for once and for all.
Your pal Willard, who promised the anti-gay Hate Cult NOM that he would ATTACK the hundreds of thousands of legally married American same gender couples, is down 5% and is trending down further. Dream on about installing that religious nut in the White House so he can eliminate his own taxes.
Since we elect the President via the Electoral College the trending of “national polls” is really meaningless.
Well it seems that the final say on SSM does not lie with the “people” voting. The final say rests with the SCOTUS and that IS the final say.
You’re right, jd. The United States Supreme Court is properly using as its authority the United States Constitution, which requires “Equal Protection Under the Law.”
The most notorious of all the anti-gay Hate Votes, the 2008 California H8te Vote, has already been proven to violate the Constitution. The situation, with Maine having signed marriage equality into law before the 2009 Maine Hate Vote, is similar. The federal courts will have the final say in this matter, no matter how much the anti-gays whine about “activist judges.”
Voting Barry O out of office won’t stop this, hon. You can’t really believe that.
Irrelevant. As for your perceicved slap, maybe you should turn the other cheek.
Civil Marriage and the Civil Marriage License are not the function of nor are they legislated or regulated by any religion. Time for you to fully understand that.
It’s always important to remember it isn’t just a matter of those denominations who tell that LIE that they’d be forced to perform same gender marriages. The major Christian, Jewish and other denominations that are marrying same gender couples now are being denied their right to practice their religion freely in 44 US States. These denominations have married same gender couples in 7 US States and the District of Columbia:
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Metropolitan Community Church
Reform Judaism
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Unitarian Universalist Church
United Church of Christ
These and many other denominations reject the hate speech inserted in the bible to hurt LGBT people. Modern Biblical scholars have proven the Bible was intentionally mistranslated relatively recently in order to provide “Biblical cover” for then-rising levels of homophobia. For example, the word “homosexual” didn’t even exist until 1850.
Shame on you for attacking the Freedom of Religion of these many major Christian and Jewish denominations, yes, and shame on you for lying. There’s just no use your screaming that you prefer to misinterpret the Bible to try to hurt your fellow Americans who are LGBT.
How is ” Police chief suffers dog bite in driving arrest ” a “similar article” ?
Just sayin’…
For homosexuals to say God accepts sodomy is the epitome of hypocrisy. None of these people, especially those who claim to be of the cloth, knows God or Jesus Christ or what is written in the Bible. Sodomy is a sin and a perversion and is offensive to God. God did not create men to have unnatural sex with each other. Stop the lies that this issue is about love and freedoms. This issue is about the holy sanctity of marriage.
Since these false “pastors” claim to know the Bible, then they would know the story of the city of Sodom and that it was completely destroyed by God because of the rampant homosexual acts of the citizens. Do these homosexuals think God has changed his mind? We must protect marriage, it’s more than a legal document, it’s a holy union of one man and one woman, and was never meant for anything else. I call upon the good, decent people of Maine to protect marriage and stand up for God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Protect God’s blessing of marriage.
Shame on you for lying about the Bible again. Modern Biblical scholars have proven the Bible was intentionally mistranslated relatively recently in order to provide “Biblical cover” for then-rising levels of homophobia. For example, the word “homosexual” didn’t even exist until 1850. Many major Christian and Jewish denominations condemn misusing the hate-based mistranslations to attack their fellow Americans and are marrying same gender American couples now. About 400-years ago, a group of religious authorities (sanctioned by King James I of England), secretly manipulated the English version of the Bible to reflect their own heterosexual attitude; they opposed the king kissing other men in public. But in revised versions, religious authorities re-defined the Greek word “arsenokoites” of 1Corinthians 6:9! The most accurate translation, abusers of themselves with mankind [KJV], was pretty vague. Nevertheless, they replaced this vague 5-worded text with the not so vague and purposely targeted 1-word text, “homosexual(s).” Either way you cut it, this text does not describe homosexuals. This campaign gave those who were looking for a reason to justify their own homophobia a license to openly express their bigotry.
Is sodomy a “sin” when practiced by heterosexual couples?
Sodomy include oral sex, oddly enough, I’ve yet to see ANY of these arguments rail against heterosexuals having oral sex.
Bible scholars don’t even agree on precisely how to interpret the story of
Sodom and Gomorrah, so I’m certainly not going to take your word over people who’ve spent a lifetime studying the original language it was written in.
“The holy sanctity of marriage” is a purely religious phrase ….. it offers no legal protections, rights, or benefits for you or your spouse without a Civil Marriage License, neither the state nor federal government or laws recognize a marriage without one.
I don’t know what version of the Bible you are reading but in the versions I have, there is no reference to “rampant homosexual acts” in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Nor do any other passages referencing it reference “rampant homosexual acts”.
Sodomy is any sex act that does not in of itself lead directly to conception. They are acts that opposite sex couples and same-sex couples can/may/do practice. They include anal, oral and probably even manual (won’t directly lead to conception) sex acts. Some believe they are forbidden for all people whether married or not, some believe that they are forbidden for same-sex couples only and some believe that they allowed only for married heterosexual couples.
Well said!
“Nearly 500”? That’s it? That’s the best they could do?
I thought this was a movement. From what posters write here, you would think it’s a huge issue!
Guess not. Or maybe it’s because of obama’s failures, more couldn’t afford the gas to get there. Yea, that must be it!
“Only” 500 voters? To appear on a weekday–in public?
Where is the ANTI-GAY rally? Have anti-gays gathered in public at all about their intention to hurt other Mainers?
You are not pro gay you are a politican.. Your rants claiming (anti-gays) is to create hate. You are pure 100% Liberal politican trying to stir up hate which doesn’t exist.. I’m voting for Gay marriage yet I am voting for a republicans ticket except for Damon in Bangor, because he put the highway act through for Peter.
Are you sure that the person you are referring to is Doug Damon?
I ask because when you Google “east west highway maine damon” it seems to point to Democrat State Senator Dennis Damon.
Lots of bigots in here that hate Straight people for having an opinion…
A clear majority of Americans support marriage equality for LGBT Americans. Here are the numbers from last year:
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/07/27/new-study-support-for-gay-marriage-grew-faster-in-past-two-years
“According to the report, polling data from sources including Gallup, CNN/ORC, ABC/Washington Post, and Pew Research Center indicate that average support for legalizing gay marriage grew at a rate of approximately 1 percent per year between 1996 and 2009, but the rate increased to 5 percent growth per year from 2009 to 2011. “That’s actually a 500 percent increase in the rate of change,” Benenson said at a press conference. “We rarely see that kind of upward spike in support around an issue.”
Because of that growth, several national polls show a majority of Americans now support legalizing gay marriage, including Gallup (53 percent), Public Religion Research Institute (51 percent), CNN/ORC (51 percent), and ABC/Washington Post (53 percent).”
You’re trying to suggest that ALL non-gays want to HURT LGBT Americans. That’s clearly just another anti-gay LIE.
An opinion no different than the KKK.
The KKK was created by the Democratic party to create a force against the republican party and black people.. they are the ones who like to divide races and classes along with sexes..
“The KKK was created by the Democratic party…”
Wrong, the Ku Klus Klan was founded by six veterans of the Confederate Army in 1865 in Tennessee.
If you have a source that shows otherwise please provide a link.
Yeah, today’s KKK voted for Barry O… Uh-huh, sure… all die-hard democrats.
They sound like those against gay marriage. There is no denying it. Go to their homepage and read their opening statement.
its cause they don’t want to accept the fact that they are abnormal
The Catholic Church’s involvement in this matter is moot. They have no right to tell other people
how to live when they have harbored pedophiles for decades. If they had been open minded and progressive enough to allow male and females priests to marry, instead of providing a haven for pedophiles, they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in. I am a Catholic and have no problem with same sex marriage. Marriage is a legal union. If you choose to marry in the church, good for you. If not, good for you. People need to mind their business!!
The federal judge who revoked the 2008 California anti-gay H8te Vote that deprived LGBT Californians of existing marriage equality had in his possession a letter Catholic bishops wrote to Mormon leaders agreeing to hide from public scrutiny and refuse to report their illegal cash and in-kind contributions to the H8te Vote as required by California law. The letter serves as proof they knew by refusing to report these massive contributions they were violating campaign finance laws, as well as the letter itself being an act of criminal collusion. The letter writer was arrested in San Diego recently for drunk driving.
Thank you for your support for our equality, cardpuff48. A large majority of lay Catholics support their family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers who are LGBT and want us to have the same right to legal marriage they have. The bishops are wasting their time trying to get lay Catholics to vote to subvert the United States Constitution’s guarantee of Equal Protection Under the Law.
dont’ you just hate it when they say — well, if you are Catholic and you approve gay marriage then the devil in influencing you to go astray from your faith!!! I always hoped that the Church would allow the priests to marry, as it would put the priest in a position to better talk to people who are married and have the same problems, or how a problem could be solved. AM I wrong in assuming that priests still go to the homes of their parishoners and comfort them in times of need?? I know that the Catholic Women’s Leagues do a lot of helping where needed, with clothing and food for the starving, but someone to TALK to who has been in the same situation or something very similar is helpful too!!!
And, many of the commenters are not telling people how to vote?
Vote “NO” on this issue. The “religious” leaders listed in the Pro side are not God’s emissaries–
Yet another SHAMEFUL attack by anti-gays on the Freedom of Religion of the many major Christian and Jewish denominations who WANT to marry same gender American couples NOW.
What OTHER FREEDOMS do you want to take away from your fellow Americans who don’t share your hatred and fear of your fellow Americans who are LGBT?
Read carefully the comments of the anti-gays here. They have many different ways they want to DEPRIVE others of freedom and equality. Does anyone believe these disturbed anti-gay persons would stop if they ever got to HURT gay and lesbian Americans the way they want? Just WHO would they ATTACK next? Are YOU their next victim?
you whine like a girl
Anti-gays always resort to nasty personal attacks when they can’t refute the facts normal, non-homophobic Americans post.
That’s why I would NEVER want to move back to Maine…too liberal minded for me…
“Romney hasn’t even opened a campaign office in Minnesota, and with good
reason: Minnesotans have given their delegates to Democratic
presidential candidates in every election since 1972.”
Read more: http://nation.time.com/2012/09/10/why-opposition-to-gay-marriage-isnt-swinging-minnesota-romneys-way/#ixzz267FM5l00
Without Romney pushing the Minnesota anti-gay Hate Vote, it’s more likely to fail.
why do you lie so?
Why do you post “why do you lie so?” when you could post facts that would so carrot to be posting false and misleading information? Just posting “why do you lie so?” doesn’t make it so.
We know for a FACT that the Maine Ethics Commission caught the anti-gay Hate Cult, NOM, red-handed violating our campaign finance and disclosure laws. We know the US Supreme Court has refused to hear NOM’s appeal–and that they are STILL in VIOLATION of our laws.
WHO is NOM protecting by committing this criminal act? What criminal acts will anti-gays commit this time around to try to HURT people they don’t know and who have never done them any harm?
VOTE NO!!!!
Why do you want to hurt your fellow Mainers who are LGBT?
Why?
How does SSM harm you personally?
How does SSM impact your marriage (assuming you are married)?
Just what is it that makes anti-gays want to hurt their fellow Mainers?
People aren’t anti anything.. they have a belief system and thats it. I don’t see any hate or anger in these comments whatsoever
No, anti-gays don’t see how shameful and immoral it is that they are trying to HURT other people, but that’s because they have a mental disorder, which psychologists have identified as homophobia since the report about homophobia was published in the Journal of the National Institutes of Health in 1953.
And, yes, anti-gays constantly claim they aren’t anti-gay. It’s just one more way anti-gays LIE.
But why don’t you answer for the other anti-gays, push, why do YOU want to HURT your fellow Mainers?
Your word points are textbook
Some anti gay people are hurtful. Some pro gay people are hurtful. People in general can be hurtful, but is it hurtful to say that I am against gay marriage because God said it was an abomination? If it is then God said not to murder, steal, sleep around, be a false witness ect. Am I being hurtful to tell someone who steals that they are doing wrong. Am I being hurtful to tell someone who kills that it is wrong. Am I being hurtful to tell a friend that is straight or gay that sleeping around is wrong? The dark doesn’t like the light.
Murder and stealing hurts someone. Who does same sex marriage harm? And don’t give me the “it will send them to hell so it’s harmful” line. Not everyone believes that. Show me how same sex marriage will objectively harm people. And FYI, you know what happens when you tell a gay kid that their existence is an abomination enough times? They kill themselves. What are conservative Christians doing about this? Opposing anti-bullying laws unless they have a religious exemption. Apparantly bullying is o.k. as long as the victim is gay. So, short answer, yes, telling someone that their loving, consenting relationship is an abomination is hurtful, especially if they didn’t ask for your opinion.
It is a sin. It hurts both people in that relationship. It hurts the family members who believe in whats right. It hurts anyone who accepts the Sin, If you are not for God then you are against Him. As far as the children are concerned, they are in sin and conservative Christians are trying to help them by telling the truth. We don’t just have to look at gay sin, but look to any sin. Sex before Marriage- you give part of yourself away everytime you have sex with someone. When you get married, how can your partner compare to every partner you have had in the past. Your marriage hurts because of it. Porn-Hurts your relationship with your partner. Your are sinning thinking of others in lust and your partner suffers from it. People that don’t read the whole bible and understand it, miss all of God’s wisdom.
You “tell them the truth” until they commit suicide. I’ve been in a relationship with another man for a while now, and we are as happy as can be. We are not “hurt” by our relationship, we are helped by it. But, say you’re right and god hates our relationship. Then I deem that god unworthy of worship and would gladly go to hell.
God did not say that same-sex marriage was an abomination. Fact
Care to tell us the the Chapter and verse where He said gay marriage was an abomination?
Guffaw
OK push…you have never read “hate or anger” in these comments.
I’ve seen as many if not more- from you personally and yours
Then it shouldn’t be difficult to back up your words with direct quotes I have made “yes”. Please provide some examples of the “hate or anger” I have posted in these comments.
Really? You don’t think it’s hateful to equate gays and lesbians to murderers and pedophiles?
Of course not! It’s a belief!
~rolls eyes~
Oh-is rolling of the eyes hateful? I’ve been called hateful, so I’m trying to narrow down what it is I do that could be seen as such….
I’m a Tea Party Democrat, this is the reason I will be voting for gay’s to marry.
Liberals whom aren’t even close to being democrats don’t want Gay marriage to pass, know why? Because if gay marriage passes what will they have to run on election after election??? The abortion issue is null and void since the supreme court ruled on it, yes they bring it up now and then but it doesn’t hold water.. Now they are calling it womens rights to scare women.. Obama care stopped paying and asked women not to have test for cancer until they are in their late 40’s or 50’s.. (womens rights) ??? ya right…. The liberals need the gay rights fight for their platform… without it, what do they have to offer ??? Not jobs, because they swallowed up the green party and refuse to let manufactoring re-establish it’self in America thus killing jobs here.. Gay’s, Women , Minorities all want the same thing the ability to have a job and live happy… these are things that the liberals can’t offer you.. Behind the curtian at the voting booth most liberals will vote no, to save their political lives. They need you to hate the other party and there will be nothing left to hate it the same sex marriage act passes.. Choose you political party wisely, and good luck.
Guffaw
Kudos to the organizers and participants. Do the antis really want the discredited Emrich speaking for their movement, even if he spouts the same old propaganda?
Really funny that Liberals seek relegion to promote their cause, when they are the first one’s to deny God.
People who deny God’s existence are not limited to “Liberals”. They come from all walks of life and all political parties, including “Conservatives”.
In the December 2011 issue of “Downeast” magazine there is an article, “Hiding The Money,” by Colin Woodard. The article is available on Downeast.com. Let us not forget Mainers, we were asked once to repeal Question 1 and we did so by a 53 to 47 margin.
A word of advice for the LGBT “community” and the Pro Same Sex Marriage “movement:” Cool down the rhetoric of “Hate” “Equality” and “Homophobia” if you are looking to score votes for your “movement.” You are pushing potential “Yes” votes further away from the median. “You” scream, stop-your-feet and present as enraged about “name calling” and “intolerance,” but why do “you” declare me a “homophobe” because “my” current stance is “no” to “same sex marriage?” “You” are becoming very exhausting and so are the “Anti’s” as “You” label them. Although, “You” hate “Labels.”
My belief foundation is built more of nature than religion or “opinion.” Mother Nature established “Nature Default” settings and the primary one is “pro-creation.” The “pro-creation” between Male and Female therefore P.I.V. marriage. Not one of labs or anything fabricated. Every “Celebrate Diversity” bumper sticker is paired with a “Mother Earth/Nature” save her bumper sticker; so we should agree on this platform. We can all agree, “Two Roosters can not lay an egg.”
If you want “My” potential vote, stop with the “Transference” and stop the “hate” because you are making fools of yourselves. The same message for the “Ultra” no same sex marriage for “me” individuals: “You” are making fools of yourselves. The “voters” of this movement are caught in the epicenter of a perverse “Bi-Special Interest Movement” between “Hollywood” and “God.” For “Me” it is just another tiresome, rhetoric driven machine that “I” don’t have enough cash to participate within.
God Bless. Be Well.
If anyone wished to read the article referenced in the above post here is a link to it http://www.downeast.com/magazine/2010/february/hiding-the-money It was actually published in February 2010 not December 2011.
I look forward to hearing you tell your brethren to cool down the rhetoric of comparing same sex couples to pedophiles and murderers… or are you hypocritically ignoring the offensive people who share your views?
As you view all that is part of nature you do not see variances ….. you do not see pairings of same-sex aninmals, birds, etc. You do not see asexual creatures, plants etc. You do not see the male member of a species caring for the young or same-sex pairings caring for young. You appear to have a limited view of nature, IMO
I would think that Maine would do the right thing and vote against the same-sex marriage. Its wrong and for same-sex marriage.Its sending the wrong message to our kids.
Just one questions Mama Bear:
1. By voting against SSM what message are we sending our children that are gay and lesbian?
Its wrong and the bible tells me soo.
Equal treatment under the law must be adhered to, our Constitution tells me so.
Truthfully, civil marriage for same-sex couples is the right thing to do, so that ALL Maine families have the option to protect the lives they build together, and the children they raise together, with civil marriage.
So U.S. civil law and the Constitution should be trumped by Biblical Law?
the message would be that many people think its wrong-abnormal.
If you had a child and that child came to you and said “I’m gay” you would want them to believe the are “wrong/abnormal”? Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?
I sincerely hope neither trashtocash or Mama Bear has a child that comes to him/her and say they are gay …… there would be two more homeless LGBT kids trying to find a safe place to live. There are too many of those kids on the streets now whose family’s have kicked them out.
Couldn’t agree more with you.
What message would that be? That it’s okay to spend the rest of your live with the person you love? Would you rather continue the message that all people must marry someone of the opposite sex, no love required?
Husband and wife is the way to go…….. Not Adam and Gev or Betty or Beverly
An oxymoron by every sense of the definition when a brace of homosexuals are foisted upon Mainers as the new normalcy. Notwithstanding that homosexuality — like pedophilia, murder and other social aberrations — is a personal choice that defines the individual, Mainers are asked once again! to step aside while the institution of marriage is tread into the ground by legions of nouveau sybarites. Homosexuals will not relent from this assault until they have compromised and violated every shred of remaining decency in America, and forced its citizens to pay homage to a perverted and sinful lifestyle. Pity them, attempt to instruct them concerning the error of their ways, but never, never! grant them the power to destroy our families and the future of our children.
nicely said
Wow. So to you homosexuals are no better than murderers?
Your offensive judgement is an affront to rational, loving people everywhere.
Also, one could say religion is a personal choice that defines the individual.
When did you choose to be solely attracted to the opposite sex? Did you say eeney, meeney, miney, mo …. or did you actually not choose? If you did not choose your orientation, why do insist that gays and lesbians do?
The pro gay marriage folks preach “equality” and “love and devotion”.
Equality and “love” eqates to deviant sexual behavior.
Picture this if you will…
Men performing fellatio on each other, performing sodomy on each other, women performing cunnilingus on each other, performing intercourse with a prosthetic penis……get the picture?
Deviant sexual behavior.
Why do you fantasize about gay sex?
More importantly, I have yet to see anyone attempt petition drives and constitutional amendments to restrict marriage from rapists, murderers, thieves, etc… So your opinion that we should stand against gays and lesbians due to you thinking we are immoral is a bit hypocritical, anyway.
That is no fantasy, that is fact.
It’s a fact that you fantasize about gay sex? Well, at least you’re honest…
Completely understandable that you are foolish enough to believe that.
“Why do you fantasize about gay sex?” – ConvivialVisits
“That is no fantasy, that is fact.” – phantom2driver
You admitted to fantasizing about gay sex. Don’t blame me for your Freudian slip.
Where did you find proof of your facts? Do opposite-sex couples ever engage in these behaviors?
It is not hypocritical. If a rapist, murder or thief wants to marry and they find someone willing to accept them, God would look down upon their sin and not their marriage. If we were doing petition drives it would be to stop rape, murder and stealing. Since the sin here is same sex marriage, it is not hypocritical.
The mental gymnastics you go through to stand in the way of treating other Mainers equally is impressive.
No gymnastics needed. God gave us all the BIBLE. God gave us everything we need to know, we just have to read and follow.
But we are talking about extending civil marriage to same-sex couples.
Gays and lesbians already can have religious marriage in churches, we have for as long as I can remember. We are restricted from the civil marriage license, which is a matter of equal treatment under the law.
There is nothing immoral nor sinful about a supportive couple who has been blessed enough to find each other in this world. We should celebrate more couples entering into civil marriage, not decry it.
I am truly sorry that you equate marriage with sexual relations. It is so much more than that…. honor, love, respect, mutual support, taking care of each other …. will yours (assuming you are married) fall apart when the two of you or one of you is unable to engage in coitus?
Its a shame for people who call themselves christian yet try hard to spread hate n violence against people.
I m a conservative christian, grew up in a catholic school, But yet, I m gay n I m pro-gay marriage, Coz I believe in a jesus Who Loves 2 men in a loving relationship, as well as people who use Jesus as a base for their hate. Its un-christian, n VERY IMMORAL.
Bible NEVER mentions homosexuality as wrong, It only states, homosexual rape (genesis 19:1-20), Homosexual Orgies (Romans 1:26-27), homosexual sex in idol worshiping (Lev 18:22 n Lev 20:13). n Timothy n Corinthians were made anti-gay by the Roman-catholic church after the 1940s. So, Bible is against gay marriage is a Lie, God made gay people, n to call his work unclean is a direct violation of Acts 10:28, 15.Homosexuality is NOT all a SIN, But according to the bible, pride, hate, ignorance n hypocrisy is.
If you are a Christian, please pray for wisdom and read again. I am not saying this to be smart, but am trying to help out another Christian. Remember, Pro 28:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
since the 70’s abortion has been a political platform, Gay marriage is the newest political football.. Hey!! look over here as politicans distroy the country with their other hand..
Then let’s put this issue behind us, extend civil marriage equally as it’s obviously the Constitutional thing to do, and move on to the REAL problems our nation faces!
To dirigodad: I’m sorry, but your paranoia is not an excuse to deny American citizens their rights.
If you so-called christians spent as much time working for positive change as you do preaching intolerance you might actually make the world a better place. I am forced to tolerate your presence in this world but i don’t have to tolerate your insistence on influencing government. If you felt that people had made up there minds already, your hate mongering sect might spend that money on something that may actually better society. if you need to tell someone how you disagree with same sex marriage, tell your imaginary friend in the sky, so the rest of us don’t have to hear it.
Real Christians do work for positive change. Churchs help feed the poor, house people, cloth people and help needy. The bigest positive would be teaching Gods word! We are the light in the world. Christians are not hate mongeres as you stated. We are following Gods word and don’t like the sin but love the sinner. As for the imaginary guy in the sky, He is real! Christians are spreading the gospel to help others have the chance to enter Heaven. It is your choice, God gave you and all mankind the freedom of choice. When the time comes to meet your maker, He will remind you of your choice.
“don’t like the sin but love the sinner.” – And I hate the beliefs, not the believer.
“When the time comes to meet your maker, He will remind you of your choice.” – And if your god is the homophobic jerk that you make him out to be, I would gladly choose hell.
I am sorry to hear that. If you would choose hell then you don’t believe in hell. I know that you don’t care but I will pray for you.Mat 13:49 So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous, So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous, Mat 13:50 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
How about instead of praying for me, you do some actual good and voluteer at an LGBT homeless center to see all of the “good” religion has done for the kids who were kicked out and disowned by their parents.
Lev 20:13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.