Quote:
Originally posted by Exquisite5
...As a Christian, I consider homosexual behavior sinful. I also believe
marraige is a religious institution. However, I beleive that two men of legal age or two women of legal age should be allowed to consent to a Civil Union which under the eyes of the law , not the church, will afford them the rights and privileges of marriage. Just as two athiests can get "married" in a courthouse, I beleive that two homosexuals should be able to enter into such a union as well. The difference here to me is that even though athiests fundamentally don't believe in God the consumamtion of their marriage will not be sinful, but I cannot give the word "marriage" to a union whose fundamental act of consummation will be sinful...
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This is a very good point to make. Whatever one may think about homosexuality, I think it's important to note that there are differences between a "civil union" and a "marriage".
Forexample, if a heterosexual couple gets "married" in a church they are married under the eyes of God, however if they don't have their marriage license, they are not LEGALLY married.
Having a "civil union" is a legal joining, not a religious one.
Right now, a bill to legalize gay "marriage" is in a reference stage in the House of Parliment here in Canada. One of the questions on the reference is concerning whether or not religious organizations would be compelled to marry homosexual couples. This a ridiculous question only because I don't see how churches and other religious groups would be comepelled to marry homosexual couples when they are not even compelled to marry heterosexual couples. Churches, etc can refuse to marry anyone and they do not have to give a reason, (or at least here they can).
I see no reason why a homosexual couple cannot legally join and be afforded the same rights and responsibities that heterosexual "married" couples have. There is no reason that their union should be recognized by God.