Gay marriage up to voters
May 22, 2011 at 12:53 pm in Worthington Daily Globe
ST. PAUL An 18-month campaign about gay marriage began moments after the Minnesota House approved a constitutional amendment on the issue late Saturday. Continue Reading
Gay marriage up to voters
14 Comments
Homosexuality is wrong. Gay marriage is wrong. If you are a Christian (one who follows the teachings of Christ and those of the Bible) you know that homosexuality is a sin. You can not pick and choose what you will believe in the bible. You or either a Christian or you are not, and your actions demonstrate what you are, regardless of what you claim to be. Changing our constitution to ensure that this sin is not permitted is the RIGHT thing and Christian thing to do. The last time I checked Minnesota was filled with people who claim to be a Christian. The results of this vote will demonstrate exactly who we are by showing what we value and believe.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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The Bible also says, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. The simple fact is that anyone can find support for his or her beliefs — on ANY topic — in the words of the Bible. I do not take it upon myself to call others sinners, or to attack anyone’s lifestyle or beliefs. No one should. It’s pointless, reactionary and narrow-minded. The legislature seems to feel that this is the MOST pressing issue facing our state, since they seem unwilling or unable to get around to voting on a budget deal. Priorities are ALL screwed up. This debate will never end. Gay people are not going away. Best get used to that. Religion and politics should not be intermingled… there are provisions for separation of church and state, after all, which some choose to ignore, when convenient.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Eastender, you have misunderstood a major principle of the Bible. Christians are to love the sinner (person) but hate the sin (action). Homosexuality is a sinful action according to GOD and all sin is not to be tolerated. It does not mater if the sin is lying, stealing, hatred, murder, adultery or Homosexuality. All sin is equal to GOD and a single sin will send you to hell. Your argument is not with me but with GOD himself. GOD is Holy and Just. GOD is no respecter of person. His law (commandments) are perfect and given by GOD for us to obey. Each and every one of us has violated GOD’s law and are therefore sinners, destined for a real hell filled with fire. However, there is hope. GOD was merciful enough that he himself died on the cross as JESUS CHRIST, so that those who would choose could repent and accept the LORD Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and LORD.
Take a moment and ask yourself, where are you going to spend eternity and what do you base that assumption on. The complete WORD of GOD or your own ideas of right and wrong.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Eastender, using your words and rationalization, what about people who want to marry multiple spouses, is that ok? Remember, we can’t cast stones. What about the person who wants to marry a 12 year old, their dog, cat, goldfish. How are you going to deal with these people, don’t they have rights too
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Pat E. – your statement is ludicrous. If you choose to marry your goldfish, cat or dog, go ahead. It doesn’t affect me one way or another, and doesn’t contribute to moral decline. You’ll need a license, though, and good luck getting that! There are already strong and enforceable laws prohibiting polygamy, laws for minimum age to marry, etc. And, for that matter, there’s already a law outlawing gay marriage in MN. Only the paranoid or insecure feel that we have to “double down” on this law by amending the constitution. Virtually everyone knows at least one gay person – relative, friend, coworker, customer, shopkeeper,neighbor, etc. Who can cite one example of how a gay couple (or individual) has negatively impacted your lives?
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Whatever happened to goverment “of the people, by the people, and for the people”? this is the answer to an issue of our times. Let the people vote on it and accept the outcome. If gay marriage is good and right then it will win. If it is not in the best interest of our society then it will lose. This is how goverment and legislation should work. Why all the controversy? More issues should be on more ballots more often. Dont polarize the issues and confuse your personal beliefs with another persons beliefs. Plain and simple, the will of the majority needs to rule. Vote for or against it and we will see. Sounds to me like the majority are soundly against gay marriage.
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Beans – I found myself agreeing with you up until the point you started to contradict yourself. You said, “Let the people vote on it and accept the outcome” and “Don’t polarize the issued and confuse your personal beliefs with another persons beliefs, etc.” At that point, however, you chose to interject YOUR personal belief when you stated that it “sounds to me like the majority are soundly against gay marriage.” I don’t see in this comments section where there is any “sound majority” one way or the other. Broader surveys don’t provide “sound majority” opinions for either side, either. So, if this initiative makes it to the 2012 ballot, let’s follow your earlier advice and let the people form their own opinions and vote accordingly. There will be plenty of time between now and the election to debate the issue and hear from all sides.
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eastender, I knew if I waited long enough you’d make my point for me. You’re right, there is a law already prohibiting gay marriage, polygamy , underage ect. The reason for the double down as you call it, is to make sure this law doesn’t fall prey to one or two activist judges and not the will of the people. Like Beans says, let the people decide. I predict the voters of MN will soundly vote against same sex marriage, if not, I will stand behind whatever the people decide. Remember, if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the results!
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I wasn’t trying to make your point for you. I can’t, and won’t, try to speak for you. Judges get involved when necessary to rule on issues that violate basic human rights. That doesn’t make them “activists”, unless you don’t agree with their decisions. It’s good to hear you say you’ll stand behind whatever the people decide, if it comes to a vote. Not that you have much choice! “Doubling down” is not necessary. If it were, there would be a whole lot more amendments to the constitution to backup every other law on the books. This initiative is driven by paranoia and hate and the need, by some, to marginalize a segment of the population. Pure and simple.
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Sadly enough. Today there are some people in our country that will defend, belittle, or try to smooth over any issue that tears at the very fabric of our society. We need people that can stand up and say this is wrong and this is right or this is what we want or don’t want. That should be our representatives but they can no longer do their job for the people do to special interests money groups. At least the people will get the chance to do the job. After this one there are other issues that need to be brought before the people for a vote. The people will Git Er Done. Bring on the vote!
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To reinforce your point, explain please how gay people have destroyed the fabric of our society, or impacted you personally.
It’s going to be a long time until the 2012 election. At that time, you’ll also be able to vote out ALL the bums in government who in your opinion aren’t doing the will of the people.
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The whole idea behind marriage is family. At the government level of thinking marriage is designed to encourage and assist families with some special incentives. In other words, to give a leg up to the future. I dont see a vibrant and thriving future without the traditional family at the core. I can rant on all day and the core will agree with me/the fringe will disagree. The point that all this makes is politics can not make a social practice “right” (grant it legitimacy and acceptance) from the majority. This is why I am so against a few elected politicians making such a major social decision for me. Public vote is the way to go. And once the dust settles and the votes are all in the winning side needs to be good sports and not brag, the losing side needs to refrain from crying and carrying on. In the time leading up to the vote, I will proclaim my sides “rightness” and confidently forecast victory. That is not contradicting myself. That is confidence in the knowledge of what works and is “right”. Not just this issue, but many others: the tactic is to get it through the political arena and the masses will agree. I for one do not agree with many policies and programs of our government. What ever happened to our elected officials representing the majority of the population and their views? Elected representatives are overstepping their boundaries. This vote is very important. Regardless of the outcome, there will be lawsuits. Makes me wonder why the politicians and special interest groups are so arrogant that they think they know what is good for us, even better than we know ourselves? You can not force acceptance with a few words on a piece of paper.
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If we’re honest, we must acknowledge that the traditional family hardly exists. Take a look around. More and more people are choosing cohabitation over marriage ( a majority of couples according to recent reports). Divorce rates run around 50%, creating more single parent homes. More women are choosing to have children as single parents. Gay couples are adopting. Many couples are choosing to not have children at all. What role does government play in “incentivizing, encouraging and assisting” families to provide a “thriving and vibrant future” for anyone? I don’t see any programs that pay married couples to procreate, do you? Or programs that pay people to stay married? Perhaps you are talking about income tax credits? We all know those don’t cover the cost of actually raising a child. Surely you’re not talking about welfare programs!
Just who is the “core” you talk about? Anyone who doesn’t agree with you is “fringe”? Really? There is no longer a “core” in this diverse society. You claim to have the majority (core) on your side. History and events may prove you wrong.
You say you’re against politicians making such a “major social decision for you”, yet you seem perfectly content to let the MN legislature railroad this needless initiative onto the 2012 ballot. In this case the “elected representatives are overstepping their boundaries” as you correctly point out. Putting every “social decision” to a direct vote of the population isn’t practical, and I’m sure you know that. You’re right in that politicians and special interests groups are arrogant but you put the politicians in power and the special interests pull the stings. Unfortunate, but true.
Continue to advocate for what you believe is “right”. Just don’t assume that just because you think it’s “right” doesn’t make it right for everyone.
By the way, where is the balanced budget the legislature was supposed to deliver? Isn’t that really more important than just about anything else to ensure we “keep the lights on”? They waste time and money and not enough taxpayers are calling them out, to get their priorities straight.
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Yes, we have all those problems Eastend stated. Does that mean we should just roll over? I think not, this is the perfect issue, and chance, for voters to stand up and say we have had enough absurdity. The only way to get back to the United States of America, majority ruled, In God We Trust, country is to do just that. Let the majority rule (Vote)! Maybe the lawmakers are starting to realize that.
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