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Live and let live...............Whats the big deal....................How does same sex marriage effect you............

I agree with "live and let live".  I also don't understand why homosexuals could not be allowed to wed.  But it seems that "marriage" as defined is a union between a woman and a man.  I thought a "civil union" was a pretty good compromise.  There is no reason to deny any financial benefits.  I do not agree that to deny any one a marriage license is telling them that they cannot love the person of their choice.  I am wondering if this whole mountain could not be made back into a mole hill if the need for politically correct semantics were not involved.

Now it seems that a constitutional amendment will be sought.  Just because someone does not want someone else to use a certain word or someone is not allowed to use that word. 

Not a suprise at all, she deserves all the pounding that she gets, her little claim that it was because of a shortage of staff, resources, etc. is obviously bs as it came after she was advised by the county da that she could not choose who to marry and who not to.

I hope everyone makes up their own minds on this issue and DOES NOT listen to all the crap that is spewed by local politicians and ken mettler.

A little historical perspective:

During the first 100 years of this country people went to the "Justice of the Peace" to wed.  It wasn't until later that religion absconded with the term "marriage" and encouraged people to wed in churches whether they were believers or not.

Churches have never been able to offer free standing marriage as an institution.  people still must have a secular license from the state to get married, be it in a church or out in the woods.

Marriage is a legal contract.  The government issues the license to be married.  Then does someone (who is licensed by the state to perform a marriage ceremony) have to sign off on the license in order for it to be valid?  So, now people will have to take the government-issued license and find someone to sign off on it, right?  Rather than being able to get both steps done in one place there will now be a delay, and perhaps a higher cost, to complete the validation of the contract.  Sounds like poor people will get hurt the most in this.

Personally I believe the government should not be in the business of marriage, it is a religious ceremony.   The government should only issue permits for civil unions and a civil union is between any two people.   

Separate Church and state.

I"m with reffup...     I'm straight and I myself, would rather have a civil union instead of  a "marriage"   Why is the government even involved in religous matters?   We need a separation of Church and state so that all Americans can be free, happy and have the same rights as any other American.  

Hmmm, I guess the chef I saw on television the other morning should be whipped with a wet noodle. He actually stated he was going to MARRY two ingredients to make his sauce. Shame on him!!!!! 

Anyone who is "threatened" by same sex marriage doesn't have much of a marriage themselves...

Well Reffup, I'm going to surprise a few people here. Your statement isn't completely true. I suggest you do a little research by using Google and search "history of marriage." Even I leaned some things. From my reading Its only been in recent years that marriage became a religious ceremony. Before that is was only a civil matter.

Even from the prospective of the Holy Bible, although they're some specific requirements but I won't go into that here because I’ve already stated that elsewhere, it is a civil matter.

Job...really?  That's interesting.

I'm not shocked that you would go outside the Bible to find out the history of marriage.  If anything I am disappointed in myself for never having googled it.  I naively went by what people told me.  "Gays shouldn't have the right to get married because it's a religious rite".  I have heard this many times over.

If this is true, maybe we should go back to the way it  was... a civil matter.   Civil unions between people who love each other gay or straight will happen if we make marriage a civil matter.  I believe this because many religious people I know say that they don't want gays to be allowed a marriage ceremony, but they have no problem with civil unions.

What do you think...will this make everyone happy?

My first marriage happened at the court house, the second marriage by very close friend who got his "license for the day" and married us at city park.  You normally cannot get married in a church unless you belong to that church and go to classes and believe in this or that or the other. 

Sparks, I highly doubt everyone will ever be happy. We are humans with free will and we'll never be perfect in this life. As for what is best for the human race, you already know my answer. But I have said that whatever our government decides, I will accept it and continue to move with the life I live without malice or anger.

I want to tell you something. I have a friend that I’ve known for about 18 years. My late wife and I knew his lifestyle and never said anything about it. We accepted him for who he is. He is a very good man and loving. He is well known among Hollywood celebrities. Last year at a celebrity fundraiser he commented how the churches didn’t agree with his lifestyle. I put my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye and said, “Tom, Terri and I may not agree with your lifestyle, the church may not agree, but I want you to know, we never held that against you and never would. I love you and God loves you. I consider you a good friend. That’s all that matters.”

Job...it was a figure of speech... lol   

I know we can't eliminate bigotry in the world.    It's not hard to have a gay friend since 1 in 10 children are born gay.   But, I doubt that you can love someone and still deny them a right to happiness.   You being Tom's " friend", and telling him God loves him is not all that matters to Tom.  I'm sure not being hated by bigots and having the same rights as any other American is at the top of his list on what matters.  I would be interested to see you in the shoes of a gay man for ONE day...see what it is like to be hated by Christians and extreme right winged bigots, and denied equal rights...shamed and condemned.   One day....try it sometime.  If you do this you will UNDERSTAND being gay is NOT a LIFESTYLE as you call it.   There is no choice for gays they are born to be gay. 

" Personally I believe the government should not be in the business of marriage, it is a religious ceremony. "

Marriage is not a religious ceremony--it is a legal contract between 2 consenting adults.  People CHOOSE to make it a religious ceremony.  How do people who do not believe in God or don't affiliate with a church get married?  They go to the county, get their license and are married there.  It is a low cost alternative to those who cannot afford a wedding or don't  want to get married in a church.   The county provided a much needed service, as evident by how many people have used it.  And the service is not free--it is an additional charge which made enough money to cover the costs.

According to Fox 58 News, Barnett also consulted a conservative anti gay group about legal protection before she announced her decision not to offer marriages any more.  She needs to follow the decision that the State Supreme Court made and continue to offer the services as a public official.

Sparks, I will not debate the issue if a person is born gay or not. Science research is leaning in the direction of a person being born a gay. And that may very well turn out to be 100% true. Science is making all kinds of discoveries now. Maybe my choice of the word LIFESTYLE was not appropriate. But saying that gays don’t have a CHOICE, I disagree. We all have choices to make everyday of our lives. I had the choice to comment or not just as you did. I had the choice to or not to get up this morning and meet with a bunch of men at Starbucks at 6 a.m. I have the choice to walk into a bank and rob it. What if science proved that some people were born to steal? Are we going to say they were born that way and we should just except it and not hold them accountable? That’s what freewill is all about; we have the right to make our choices every day. I believe the natural law for every one of us is to do evil. Yes, I think we all are born with it. Fortunately most of the human race chooses not to do evil. Although that is becoming more difficult to see lately and based on my learning it’s going to get worse for some time to come. (And no, I’m not saying gay is evil.)

I find it interesting that you would try to make an assumption on how Tom would react to what I said to him or what he may have thought. You were not there. It’s quite alright for you say how you may have reacted. For what it’s worth, your scenario was far from the truth. I don’t think you considered the fact that Tom and I have known each other for nearly 18 years. We’ve developed a relationship and even when I may say something incorrectly, he knows my heart and he would’ve certainly corrected me.

As for me putting the shoes on as a gay man, I don’t think that is necessary. I watched a documentary a while back where this was done. You are right; they're some so called Christians and bigots that are not following the teachings of the God I know. For years I have disagreed with the actions of these people. I think about the years ago of the actions of some of these people at abortion clinics. They were wrong too.

I have strong convictions and as I said, I will defend my beliefs. But to put me in the same category as Christian extremists and bigots is unfair and untrue. But then it is your CHOICE to formulate your own opinion.