Ah but that's the thing, places of worship don't have to perform the ceremonies at all - their right to follow/protect their teachings is protected in the legislation. So the freedom of places of worship to refuse to perform the ceremony is protected, just as your right to attend a place of worship that is closer to your beliefs...

But any place that is closer to my beliefs would be criticized by people as being "un-PC" even if we have the right to do that. THat's what I DON"T like about this country. We somehow HAVE to have liberal beliefs in order to be taken seriously. If we don't, we're rednecks or "old country" (depending on how long your family has been here). I used to think I'm very CBC/Banana, but the more I think of it, the more "old country" I'm becoming.

I wish America was as progressive and gave people the freedoms that Canada is giving its citizens. Just because I'm not gay doesn't mean my gay friends shouldn't be allowed to be married because they choose to live their lives differently from me. The world would be a terribly boring place if we were all the same :)

Yay Canada!

What has come about someone who would say such a thing?

That's not true at all, and is complete speculation on your part.

Yes, I have liberal views. I believe that all Canadians, regardless of sex, ethnic background or sexual orientation should be entitled to the same rights and responsibilites as everyone else.

The whole debate on whether religious institutions would be required to performs homosexual marriages should have never been an issue. Religious institutions are not forced to perform heterosexual marriages they do not agree with, why all of a sudden would they be forced to perform homosexual marriages.

The problem with Canada is that the government feels the need to protect us from everything. The sooner they learn to stay out of my beadroom and away from my body, the better. The are spending way to much time on this issue when the should be worrying about the $1 billion + gun registry program that doesn't even work.

You've hit the nail on the head right here. There are some people in the US that think this too (the self appointed "enlightened" LOL). Just continue to be yourself and don't be afraid to be bold in your beliefs. Yeah, some people will have something to say (look at this thread) but that's to be expected. But as I said before, sometimes, you've got to be bold.

Being quiet isn't the same as being "tolerant" nor is it being "intolerable".

I disagree. I tell people that I'm conervative, that I voted Conservative both federally and provincially, I get a bad reaction from them. This has been my experience, both in real life and from Canadians on this board. At school, I hear people criticize conservative people all the time, but if I criticized anyone who was more left wing, I'm considered "backwards". The list goes on.

See I think the beauty of this law "pleases" both sides and everyone has their rights and freedoms that they should have had in the first place and not "granted" to them.

If you choose to have a same-sex marriage, yay for you and if religious institutions choose not to sanctify them, yay for them.

I will not get into a debate on the "perceived" evils (or lack there of) of homosexuality, which I believe is a religious discussion and I really try to avoid those.

This law should make everyone happy, regardless of beliefs

and if you are scared to express your beliefs or what someone is going to say/think of your beliefs, then you have bigger issues than this law.

DO NOT LET THEM SWAY YOU or be ashamed of your beliefs, stand up and declare them from the roof top. This is your core, you need to defend them and say "this is what I believe and you have no right to look down on me for them, just like I have no right to look down you 'cause of your liberal beliefs." Screw 'em and move on

How does someone "force" someone to go to a Pride parade? Did they strap you on the back of a motorcycle driven by a big butch girl in a leather harness?

The thing that gets me about some Conservative denominations is that they try to put out the message that their denomination/church is welcoming to all, that they provide succor and shelter to all, but at the same time, they turn around and champion discrimination. I'll never understand that.

WTF is it to you or anyone else if Betty and Susie or Rico and Amir from down the street want to have legal, civil, and social recognition of their loving relationship? How in the world does a relationship between TWO people threaten any relationship that you or anyone else might have? I'm not being facetious here -- help me to understand. If I told you that my husband and I are polyamorous (which we are not, BTW), what's it to you?

The one good thing that will most likely come out of this legislation is that there will be a creative "brain-drain" from the US. Lots of lesbian and gay Americans will move north and bring their disposable incomes, talents, and skills along with them. When the creatives desert a society, that society is in trouble.

Basically, it would look impolite if one doesn't go. The entire congregation was going to go to the parade together after the service. The church is within walking distance of the parade.

But it's better to look 'impolite' by practicing discrimination? Okay. Gotcha. :confused:

Seriously though - maybe that's why I don't get churches. If that kind of groupthink exists in your congregation - regardless of whether it's liberal or conservative groupthink - I don't blame you one bit for looking for another church.

Actually, this is only partially true. As it stands right now, there's no way for civil servants to opt-out of performing same-sex marriages. Basically, there has to be someone on staff who is willing to perform the ceremony at all times. If you're in a small town and you're the only clerk, you'll have to marry Rico and Amir (or Betty and Susie) even if it goes against your beliefs.

That's one thing that I hope they work out ASAP. Because as much as I champion same-sex marriages, I don't think anyone should be forced to participate in something that goes against their religious beliefs.

(And that includes going to war, but that's a different topic for a different thread...)

OK . . . now I know little of your daily life in Canada, nor do I care, especially at the rate your logic is declining. However, this bit is absolutely insane, and you should consider invoking RC's Greekchat Rule #1.

-RC
--It's also called the Principle of Parsimony.

Yes, there will always be someone who will criticize your choices, but I think what you have done is make a sweeping generalization about Liberals/liberals.

i used to vote Conservtive until they went to far to the right for me. They did not reflect my values or my beliefs so I stopped voting for them. But the way you phrased your comments was as if you and like minded people were the only victims. I know people criticize me for voting Green and I know people criticize me for having what they might consider "backwards". You're not the only person this happens to.