Posted by AuntieMel on February 9, 2006, at 11:50:17
In reply to NH Weighs in., posted by deirdrehbrt on February 8, 2006, at 15:47:52
I agree with you.
Is NH, by chance, facing some close senate/house elections? That ammendment was put on a lot of state ballots during the presidential election - mainly in close states. Call me cynical.
My logical brain has a hard time with this one. Especially the argument that "marriage" is holy, but a civil union would be fine.
But - what is marriage? In modern times it is two things. It can be a sacrement, blessed by a church, but not recognized by the governemt. And it is also a civil contract, which *is* recognized by the state.
But both have the same name.
By outlawing "marriage" but at the same time allowing a civil union are we actually telling churches that they can't perform gay marriages?
Or are we actually using religious terminology to outlaw a civil contract?
If it is the first, my opinion is that the government should not tell churches what they can and cannot do.
If it is the second one, well - why not just be honest about it and say we don't want gay unions to be legitimized in any way?
Are we letting our personal feelings get in the way of what is the "right" thing to do?
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Now - my emotional response.
My sister is gay. A couple of years ago she needed major open heart surgery and could have died. If her kids had wanted to, they could have legally kept her partner away from her while she was out of it.
I love my sister very much. This illness could have easily killed her - and the idea that she could have died without the person she loves near her... well it would have broken my heart.
Luckily her kids feel the same way as I do.
Many years ago one of my dearest friends died of aids. His partner of many years took care of him night and day until the end, where he died at home. If his parents had wanted to they could have taken over and he would have also died without the preson he loved near him.
That, too, would have been too much for me to bear to watch - especially since most of his other friends had disappeared.
How can either of those relationships diminish what my husband and I have together? If anything they are shining examples of love, and I can't see how love can ever be bad.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:607584
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060204/msgs/607927.html