TomHaynes's Blog

With all else that is going on in the country, why is so much focus on a group or sect of people who what to live their life the way they choose? Society condemns Gays for all kinds of things but the bottom line is, they aren't running the country. For 8 years, we got the pleasure of the Bush Administration. They aren't gay...as far as we all know!!!

Sorry, although I'm a Democrat I can't go that far. Civil Unions, fine: but marriage is a union between a man and a woman. End of story.

I think that it is a sad commentary of the world we live in when we are so closed minded that we have to depend on a court to tell us it is ok for Gays to marry. Please tell me how Gays getting married is going to effect your life. I mean if we want to interupt the Bible to tell us how to live, then alot of us would be Hell bund my friends. I mean at one time eating meat on Friday was a sin, and what ever happened to love thy neighbor? It doesn't say love thy neighbor, unless they are Gay. I am a happily married straight white male, and cherish the freedoms that this country allows me. If you don't like Gays, or their lifestyle, that's cool. Just don't be Gay, but don't be so arrogant to think that God only wants us to get married. Goid wants us to love everyone. Just remember Gays, inter-racial marriages were illegal a half century ago. Keep up the fight, till the US lifts this ridiculous ban.

JJ
Lawrenceville

I think that it is a sad commentary of the world we live in when we are so closed minded that we have to depend on a court to tell us it is ok for Gays to marry. Please tell me how Gays getting married is going to effect your life. I mean if we want to interupt the Bible to tell us how to live, then alot of us would be Hell bund my friends. I mean at one time eating meat on Friday was a sin, and what ever happened to love thy neighbor? It doesn't say love thy neighbor, unless they are Gay. I am a happily married straight white male, and cherish the freedoms that this country allows me. If you don't like Gays, or their lifestyle, that's cool. Just don't be Gay, but don't be so arrogant to think that God only wants us to get married. Goid wants us to love everyone. Just remember Gays, inter-racial marriages were illegal a half century ago. Keep up the fight, till the US lifts this ridiculous ban.

JJ
Lawrenceville

It is the responsibility of the courts in every state to protect the rights of individuals. California's Supreme Court has decided that denying basic rights to an individual is unacceptable, leading to today's ruling. Refusing any basic right to any individual based on something you personally or religiously disagree with has nothing to do with law, rather it has to do with forcing your beliefs and opinions on individuals because you believe they are correct. I applaud the court for its decision and hope that eventually every state will realize that legalized discrimination is wrong regardless of the premise it is based on. Unfortunately, Georgia voters decided in 2004 to make all same-sex couples second class citizens, denying rights under the guise of the "Protection of Marriage." My relationship with my partner of 5, 10, or 20 years, shouldn't be considered equal because of gender, however the union of one man and one woman, coupled for only a few hours, on a tryst in Las Vegas is more sacred than mine? I beg to differ. Kudos to California for seeing beyond the religious rhetoric and equalizing rights for ALL citizens and taxpayers of the state.

As a gay man, and a tax paying American Citizen, that is supposed to live in the land of the free.....I have always wondered why only certain people are really free to do what they wish in the United States. If I am a second class citizen with less rights, then why do I have to pay as much tax, wait, I pay MORE taxes because I do not have the luxury of the benefits of married couples. I am not making this about just money, it is about what two people who want to love one another and build a life as one. We are not the crazy perverts that the so many would want to make us out to be, we are everywhere and always have been, and always will be, and like everyone else who has fought for their rights, women, blacks, etc., our time is now and like it or not, we will have our rights. We are moving forward, I was scared to death when I moved from a midtown high-rise to a gated Cobb County community, wondering if my neighbors would like me and such, very happy to report that my neighbors and I are just fine with one another and they just love what I have done with my lawn and home, and tell me often how happy they are to have me as a good neighbor. Isn't that what we all are looking for and want to be, good neighbors and friends in communities helping to build EVERYONE a better tomorrow? I know that is what I sure try to do........

Hey Amey? So basically the money that Gay couples would spend for marriage licenses, and the money they would pump into the economy for holding a wedding is nog good to you.

Sorry but the Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman. Do you think that God made a mistake in not making Adam and Steve? I don't. Just MHO.

As a Christian, one of the tasks that concern us, as C.S. Lewis puts it, is the "tidying up or harmonizing the things inside each individual." We have morals and our morals are from God and because they are from God we must obey. God is always God, who never changes, and he condemns homosexuality; this nation is founded on God and the Bible.
As a person, I know Christians shouldn't stick their nose in people's business, that's fair. But being nosy isn't a sin, homosexuality is. Sin doesn't just bother me, it has consequences to society as well.

To elliott228: I am sorry you have felt so frightened about participating in American society. That is definitely not right. I would be proud to have you as my neighbor. You would probably hate ME, because I do not take care of my yard as well as I should.

If marriage is a holy thing, why does it have legal implication? Marriage is to civil union what segregation is to separate but equal. The reality is that we live in a secular nation. Anyone that says the US was founded as a Christian country never read anything written by our founding fathers. They may have identified as Christian, but they were also smart enough to know that a theocratic government is not suitable for a free and democratic society. Democracy over doctrine is core to values that our country was founded on and to anyone that disagrees, ask yourself why a "Christian country" would be founded on a concept of separation of church and state? The reality is that the moment they made marriage a legal status, they removed any right they had to call it spiritual and religious event.

To the religious, if you don't agree with gay marriage, you have the right NOT to perform one in your church. You do NOT have the right to deny it to those who would have it in another church. As long as it has legal ramifications, the rule has to be marriage for all, or marriage for none. I don't care which it is personally; but the moment you only allow marriage for some, you create second class citizens; and that defies the very basic of tenants we hold to be true as a just and Democratic nation.

Lastly, these are not activist judges. They aren't legislating from the bench. They are interpreting the law as it is written; and it doesn't say anything about denying the rights of gay couples.

Question is, will the debate on same-sex marriage enter the presidential race. John McCain has already come out against it, saying he doesn't think judges should be making such decisions. Obama and Clinton have both said they believe the issue of marriage should be left up to states. In this case (and unlike Massachusetts), California has no residency requirements to get a marriage license, meaning gays from around the country can head to California to get married. Problem is, most states don't recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. (Nor does the federal government, by the way.)

1. Keep religion out of my politics, it has no place there. Our Constitution provides for the separation of Church and State, and for good reason.
2. If for some reason, whatever it may be you don't like gays, don't marry one..........

Yes. I think the debate on same-sex marriage will enter the presidential race and this issue, once again will become more important than global warming, gas prices, war or anything else that makes sense! So disappointing...

I hope to God he meant most populous and doesn't really think California is the largest state in the country.

In the immortal words of Johnnie Cochran:(almost) If the parts don't fit, it's not legit. After all, God made them Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!

Ok so all people that don't belive in God or interpet the Bible a little different than You, aren't legally married? and People that have other religons are not legally married? So what happened to Freedom of religon? And What about the Seperation of Church and State?
I'm sure our fore fathers put that in there for some reason? Maybe they where not Married leagally either? Gee I think there are Double standards in our Laws and Government, I mean I pay taxes but i can't marry someone that I love because you don't think it's right, I mean I'm not Marrying You?

The decision in Ca is a civil one not religious.
trying to compare civil rights to the gay issue is vulgur.

when I was growing up homosexual behavior was deemed perverted, decadent, immoral, that was over 40 yrs ago. Oh how times have changed, but old mentalities and idioms are very slow to do so. I myself wonder what's the deal, whether it's Adam & Eve or Adam & Steve, whom the hell appointed the Supreme Court of Cal. or America our moral guardians when it comes to affairs of the heart, it should be an unchallenged right of personal freedom to enjoin ourselves with whom ever we feel would give us happiness.....trippy

An article/letter read just recently but published in 2000, to Dr. Laura Schlesinger:

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shell

Good Grief, where does one go when the Fire & Brimstone starts falling? Can't go to Sodom (L.A.) or Gomorrah (Los Vegas). Ah maybe Lot's house (Salt Lake City). No Wait!! Texas yeah! 'um nope hummm? Isn't polygamy the lesser of 2 evils? I got it! Ga. yeah, the Southern Baptist Conventions house. Come on people follow me! Gov. Perdue will protect us!

Normal: I didn't realize the the bible only applied to certain people at certain times in their existence or because of their specific beliefs. I thought the Bible was the word of God, meant to be obeyed by every creature. If it's the case that the above scripture only applies to gay jews, then why on Earth is everyone trying to use the Bible against others who don't believe it? The application of scripture is either all or none. In this case, it should be none because the matter is not a religious matter, it is a civil matter, and as was stated earlier, the government is not allowed to base their "one but not another" on scripture, as it is a violation of separation of church and state.

This is a great place for me to chime in on the debate... What I think... I think that the real reason many people are up in arms. Is that gay people marring is some how encroaching on something that heterosex people have and consider to be sacred. This is the one thing couples can champion over single people. Because lord knows your social life drastically changes after the plung. Anyway to the point. Gays seek the title for financial benefits as well as social exceptance. What is being missed I think is that, if they want to marry then so be it. But I bet we can all agree it's not Holy matromony. An that's what the bible and reverand say when taking the vows. So if gays graduate to matramony. We still have sanctity under holy matromony... I hope I made some kind of sense. Try to see what I'm saying.

Alot, if not most, of my friends are always debating me on the same sex marriage/gay/Bible connection. I agree with the other poster about the Bible has not changed, only society. I am a lesbian, and that makes me a sinner, because I am a firm believer in the Bible, and in God.
I do the best I can but what I don't do is to give excuses, or empty justifications, regarding my "gayness". Christians are not perfect and I am just another example. :)

The "vulgar behavior" demonstrated in our Gay Pride celebrations represents the "vulgar behavior" that heterosexuals represent at Mardi Gras, in dance clubs, and in various other aspects of life. The fact that you see the most extreme cases of this behavior demonstrates that the media simply chooses shock value for their programming. What you don't see are the "Gay Fathers" or the "P-Flag" marchers, nor do you see the aspects of the gay community that embrace family values over this extreme behavior. I'm willing to bet that your friends at Mardi Gras that continually participate in these same behaviors probably have a 9-5 job just as you and I do. Does that mean they shouldn't be afforded rights because they choose to celebrate in such a fashion? I think not.

CGoodson, I agree with your points about another family member being allowed on the insurance.

Everyone gung BLEEP for gay citizens to be married will change their tune when they're burning in hell.

Jteamaz......it says nowhere in the Constitution about separation of church and state. It simply says that our government shall not have a state sponsored religion.

It is the Federalist Papers that mentions separation of church and state. Please get your facts straight.

As for Gays and Lesbians marrying....I say let them marry and keep GOVERNMENT out of the bedroom. I'll say this though, at least you want see them on an episode of COPS because they have to much class. Wake up America and let people be happy.

One point that athenscouple was trying to make is that sin is sin in the eyes of God.

sex outside the marriage of a man and woman is a sin. this also includes sex with dead people,.same sex,sex with children and sex with animals.

my point here is not to be mean but since religion was brought into this discussion then I agree with athenscouple that probably alot of the christians doing all of the protesting is not living their baptisim.

when the govt. had to remove the 10 commandments from public buildings and remove prayer from schools it is refered to as the separation of church & state. i am not stating that i agree or disagree with this as it was not placed in my hands to decide this law. many comments here are based on religious beliefs. is that not bringing the the church to the state when religion is brought before a court to interpret? is the separation of church & state only being implimented when it is convienent for your personal situation and then tossed out the door for your other beliefs? because this IS america, not everyone shares the same god. personally, homosexuality is not for me. however, if same sex people want to be together with benefits, are law abiding legal citizens who pay taxes and you or i dont have to participate in their sexual endevours, why should we care what they do behind closed doors? i would much rather the states be populated with same sex, hard working, law abiding, tax paying productive partners then to continue on the path of footing the bill for the welfare women who keep spitting out children that they can not afford to have concieved by a variety of absent fathers because she can not keep her legs together so the rest of us are forced to pay her way and the way of those children. i would rather the states be populated with hard working, tax paying same sex partners than to pay for one more illegal imigrants anchor baby, babies mother, their housing as well as clothing, education, food & medical expenses.