Owen,
In my opinion the word marriage should not be removed. I believe that
civil marriage should be available to all consenting adults. Various
religions can then do as they please. If, in fact, this is a civil
rights (constitutional) issue then religions that violate civil
liberties should, at the least, not have 501c3 status. I try to
understand but am not sympathetic to religious angst about this as I
would not be if you substituted black, jew, Christian, etc for the word gay.
James, I am grateful to the Quakers for many of the positions they have
taken.
Orlando
James Steiner wrote:
Consider also the relligions that have.supported and do sanctify
same-sex marriages, without regard for, indeed in spite of, the legal
status of such unions, e.g. the Meetings of Friends (Quakers).
On 11/9/08, Owen Densmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Nov 9, 2008, at 12:09 AM, Orlando Leibovitz wrote:
...
In my opinion this is not a marriage issue, it is a civil rights
issue.
And there you have the problem in a nutshell. "Gay marriage"
confounds the two.
One the one hand, the word "marriage" creates considerable angst on
gay issues within the various religions. The recent Anglican/Episcopal
split was largely over gay marriage and gay bishops. This is a
complex issue where religions have to confront difficult problems
within themselves. And definitely a church/state boundary.
On the other hand, gay civil rights are clear: they are being violated
and the strictly civil rights have to be granted immediately. "Civil
union", however, may be a distasteful term to the gay community.
Most of silicon valley had to deal with this within their corporate
laws. They all grant gay civil rights by now. They simply had to
change the concept of "partner" and insurance, spousal rights and so
on were easily solved. I don't believe religions are concerned about
this solution. As far as I know, the government does not object, and
even allows for joint tax filing.
I wonder if the word "marriage" were taken out of the equation, would
it at least help obtain civil rights for gay couples?
-- Owen
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--
Orlando Leibovitz
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.orlandoleibovitz.com
Studio Telephone: 505-820-6183
============================================================
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Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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