Cameron: "Let's export gay marriage!"

[Flosshilde]

As you said, Ams, many men used marriage as proof of their heterosexualiy, & therefore might feel that such a use of the institution has been 'devalued' as a result of same-sex marriage.

[scottycelt]

... very well. What is your objection, then?

Dear oh dear ...

This seems to be a favourite tactic of some members. No matter how many times you say it there will inevitably be those who claim you have never said it.

Let me now hand you over to the professionals who might be able to explain it a bit better for those members who, wholly out of character, are suddenly pleading ignorance on the subject.

Once you are aware of the clear issues involved you might even end up signing the petition!

http://c4m.org.uk/

[vinteuil]

Scottycelt :

you don't say what your objection is.

You have indicated that it is not that it affects you personally.

Many gay people want to get married.

What is your reason for saying they shouldn't?

[amateur51]

Dear oh dear ...

This seems to be a favourite tactic of some members. No matter how many times you say it there will inevitably be those who claim you have never said it.

Let me now hand you over to the professionals who might be able to explain it a bit better for those members who, wholly out of character, are suddenly pleading ignorance on the subject.

Once you are aware of the clear issues involved you might even end up signing the petition!

http://c4m.org.uk/

From the link I see that same-sex marriage may result in ...

"Profound consequences

If marriage is redefined, those who believe in traditional marriage will be sidelined. People's careers could be harmed, couples seeking to adopt or foster could be excluded, and schools would inevitably have to teach the new definition to children. If marriage is redefined once, what is to stop it being redefined to allow polygamy?
- See more at: http://c4m.org.uk/#sthash.CsLVSktT.dpuf"

How will traditional marriage (the one with the high divorce rate?) be sidelined, in what way and by whom? Who would be pushing for polygamy? Where would the push come from? Why would they be irresistible?

These are unsupported woo-woo objections (with apols to Mr GG for using his term of which I am extremely fond )

[scottycelt]

It's impossible for scotty to tell you, as it's based on mindless prejudice. All he can come up with is nonsense like 'devalued'.

Actually, I never used the word which demonstrates the current level of debate on the 'pro' side. I agree with the member who did use it, though.

Not a word about the homosexuals who are themselves opposed to 'gay marriage'.

Strange that. What do you think about them, Flossie? I think we should know.

[french frank]

If Darby (widower) and Joan (widow) are permitted to marry for companionship for the rest of their lives, why should Darby and Derek not be allowed to? [Indeed, if Wayne and Sharon, why not Julian and Sandy? Or Judi and Sharon?]

PS I do hope this will be the last thread about gay/equal marriage. It's mainly the same set of characters rehearsing the same lines.

[scottycelt]

Scottycelt :

you don't say what your objection is.

You have indicated that it is not that it affects you personally.

Many gay people want to get married.

What is your reason for saying they shouldn't?

Right ... for the very last time!

I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman as it always has been through history and as described in dictionaries. You may not agree but I can't make it any clearer. Hundreds of thousands have already signed a petition opposing the new laws so obviously I'm far from being alone.

If homosexuals wish to find an alternative word for their own unions I can assure you I would have absolutely no objection or any further interest in the matter whatsoever!

[scottycelt]

If Darby (widower) and Joan (widow) are permitted to marry for companionship for the rest of their lives, why should Darby and Derek not be allowed to? [Indeed, if Wayne and Sharon, why not Julian and Sandy? Or Judi and Sharon?]

PS I do hope this will be the last thread about gay/equal marriage. It's mainly the same set of characters rehearsing the same lines.

Yup, and you included!

[vinteuil]

I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman

... and so your "belief" should stop people who wish to be happy by getting married from doing so???

What kind of reason is that?

[french frank]

Yup, and you included!

I don't think that answered the question about Darby and Derek. If you consider me one of 'the same set of characters', I'm surprised: I hardly every express an opinion on the subject - merely a sigh each time it's revisited.

[jean]

Not a word about the homosexuals who are themselves opposed to 'gay marriage'.

Well, no - there aren't that many of them, whatever you may have been told.

They are mostly Syd's friends (I suspect he overestimates their number):

This silly idea of "marriage" misses the point entirely. A sizeable majority of homo-sexualists find it ridiculous.

and they do not reject marriage because they feel they are encroaching on territory that rightly belongs to heterosexuals; as Syd goes on to explain:

The correct attitude is to campaign to abolish marriage in all its forms. Imagine signing up for a lifetime with one other! No thank you!

[Mary Chambers]

Right ... for the very last time!

I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman as it always has been through history and as described in dictionaries. You may not agree but I can't make it any clearer. Hundreds of thousands have already signed a petition opposing the new laws so obviously I'm far from being alone.

!

Do you know, the descriptions/meanings of words in dictionaries regularly change. 'Gay' for one.

It is SO difficult not to respond....but there is not much point.

For the very last time....Sigh.

[mercia]

not wishing (in any way) to prolong the discussion, but surely it is possible to have companionship but not be married ? [I hope so]

[vinteuil]

not wishing (in any way) to prolong the discussion, but surely it is possible to have companionship but not be married ? [I hope so]

I certainly hope so too!!

But many men want to marry women, many women want to marry men, many men want to marry men, many women want to marry women.

And I can't see any reason why they shouldn't if that's what they want to do....

[EDIT - I think we're still waiting for Scotty to give his reasons as to why they shouldn't... ]

[ahinton]

A fine argument except that for many men unsure of their sexuality, marriage (to a woman) was often used as proof-positive of their heterosexuality

That's as maybe, but I was considering a wider "value" than just that and I think that my point stands in the specific context in which I felt obliged to try to make it, namely this "devaluation" nonsense!