Bold: I don't think you understand what these influences you mention are. They aren't like your friend trying to convince you to smoke. You don't notice them, you don't consciously react to them. Similar to how abused dogs are often agressive and un-friendly, these influences affect you subconsciously. It isn't a choice whether they affect you or not.
Enviroment...that covers a BROAD area of things. I know what I was stating, and trust me, it supports what I'm saying. The things mentioned in that citation proves that it's not inherent. It's no more inherent than myself who dealt with racism growing up, being outcasted, and exposed to urban life, chose to ignore that and rise above it. I finished school, I hold no grudge towards other races, I chose not to let the affects of people being shot, and. jumped affect my judgement. (Which I was personally jumped for the sole reason I was black.) I chose NOT to let things that were inherent my family and things around me to mold me into a bitter person. I could easily have done so. I could easily have let the actions of my brother going to jail, and my father losing his temper on an employee (He paid for itm even though his assault was clearly aggrivated) affect what I do.
As others have said, the Bible is not a credible source unless used in a debate directly about God. Just because you believe the bible does not make it a universal law that all must abide by.
I was addressing what was said about it not being in the bible...at that time. Pretty much my goal in that.
[/quote]It doesn't matter. Homosexuality doesn't hurt anybody.[/quote]
Can you honestly say that? It doesn't hurt anyone? It hurts the people who feel ashamed to let their parents know. It hurts the parents and those around them that find out. It may even hurt them because some people are much more vehement about their disdain for homosexuality. I mean...the fact that the argument is there is people being REAL technical. YES it does hurt people.
From ancient times, people were forced into slavery and mistreated. There was controversy over slavery as well in the US when it was banned (There was a war over it, actually). Just because the popular opinion is against something doesn't mean that the popular opinion is correct.
Yes, and in ancient times those that were put into slavery were victims of war. In essence, the losers. Those that owed a great debt were put into slavery to pay it off. In ancient times slavery caused war or was the result of the after war product. In America, Slavery was just pepole being taken as slaves for no reason.
What exactly is your point here? This has nothing to do with the moral correctness of gay marriage.
Perhaps my point seemed a bit off, yes. But in essence, the core of the gay marraige situation is spawned from whether or not homosexuality is right or not. So you would have to bring up other facets of homosexuality. You may disagree with my reasoning, but let's be real. There are cases of people who are victims of it, who have become Homosexual. Are you going to tell me that the child was MEANT to be homosexual? Are you saying that a situation such as that is right?
If I offended anyone on that matter, I apologize. It is rather offensive to a person to say the bible should have NO hold whatsoever when it is VERY clear that many of our morals we goby are drawn from the bible. I don't like to get ridiculously technical in situations, but sometimes when people get technical, the only way is to get technical back.
Let's clarify something: Do you support gay marriage or not? I'll make it easier:
If I don't condone something, that means I'm against it. I, however, don't believe I should make a large issue over it, either.
If your state proposed a new law granting homosexuals the right to marry, and you had to vote for or against this proposition, would you vote pro-gay marriage or anti-gay marriage?
See that's the thing, I stay neutral in political affairs. I'm not going to vote on situation involving state laws. THAT is keeping religion and state seperate. You pay dues to government and you pay dues to religion. Don't let them conflict with one another. Involving myself in politics would mean I believe I have a right to rule people or have a hand in it. I don't believe I do. When it directly involves me, I handle a situation properly. If it involves a person I know, I can only offer advice, and not tell them what to do. I can ask, I can suggest, but I can't tell. What right have I to tell anyone what to do? When it comes to something I have authority over, (children in my immediate family) I can exercise authority. Even still...when they hit a certain age you can't MAKE them do anything.
On a side note:
To be quite honest...I had planned on staying away from this debate in particular. The response to Chibo quoting the bible was rather disconcerting. I thought I could avoid stepping on some toes in how I used examples. It was said that it can't be a debate if everyone agrees, correct? Can we avoid being insulted for just a moment, here? My comparison had reason, and I stated it. How is...well in essence...bashing the bible as being valid any better? Especially when most people just say, "Religion and state shouldn't mix" as their argument? I at least gave reason for my usage. I don't think I should be shot at since I didn't just needlessly throw it out there in a one liner.
