Kirk on Sulu

Did you even read my post? Or did you immediately attack me because I said my reviews were based on religious reasons? Also, there is no need to really resort to flaming is there?

I am not trying to impose my views on the gay community entirely. If people want to be together, that's their choice. I am in no position to judge people on who or what they do. I am just as flawed as anyone else, so I have no right.

I will continue to stick by my religious beliefs on modern marriage as it has been for centuries since Judaism. I am sorry you feel the need to flame me over what I believe, instead of talking about this rationally. You also need to realize that while yes there is a supposed separation of church and state, religion still influences laws and government. Any sociology class will show you that laws are generally based off the society and culture of which they are made for. Culture includes religion, thus it has a latent affect on our laws. You can see as our culture changes and religion fades more and more out of the lives of society, the laws change to match those beliefs.

Before you feel the need to attack me again, let me clarify that I am not some religious fanatic who runs around telling everyone they are wrong. I am simply sharing what I personally believe. What people do is up to them, I can't judge them on it. However, I don't agree with it.

"You can see as our culture changes and religion fades more and more out of the lives of society, the laws change to match those beliefs."

thank god

"Before you feel the need to attack me again, let me clarify that I am not some religious fanatic who runs around telling everyone they are wrong. I am simply sharing what I personally believe. What people do is up to them, I can't judge them on it. However, I don't agree with it."

And you have every right to your opinion. And share it. That's what this forum is designed for. And that, in the ideal world, is how this country should be. Free to express one's opinions and ideas. It's been a bit difficult the last 8 years to express one's opinions without having the religious fervent jump down peoples throats and telling them what they can and can't do with their bodies and the institution of marriage.

I support gay marriage. When it comes right down to it marriage these days is just a paper and the symbolism is personal for the people involved. That being said I have to agree with donkeyfly's comment to you in reference to that paper.

Marriage these days seems more like a business deal than appearing to be the union of two people. Strip the symbolic ceremony and all you're left with are insurance policies and joint bank accounts (almost forgot tax breaks).

I guess my issue is that only straight couples having rights to the business end of marriage is a little one-sided an unfair to the diversity of peoples civil liberties.

The institution of marriage shouldn't be held to those that believe they are the moral majority and withheld from others just because one sect of society finds their sexual preference morally wrong.

That's just not right.

And that's why there's a separation between church and state. By telling gays they can't marry it's the church sticking their nose in state affairs where it doesn't belong.

Once again. I fully agree with you. You are completely entitled to your opinion of not supporting gay marriage. My sister doesn't support it either...and she's not religious.

not really a sacred institution

and if you can still be happy without a piece of paper saying you're married then why do straight people get married still?

Depends on the couple. If they are both religious, then that is likely the reason. They want to declare their love for each other in front of God and friends/family, and vow to be together through good and bad times (although it seems vows don't mean much these days either).

If it is a non religious couple, then it could be for any variety of reasons. Some tradition, some just so they can throw a party, some to take advantage of tax changes, and possibly their friends/family expect it of them. Many friends turned brides have just wanted it because they felt they deserved it. Many people have truly lost what marriage really is about (not saying everyone).

The more important part is, if marriage is so sacred, then why are there so many divorces? That is what is ruining the institution.

If more people want to put the effort into sharing their lives together with all the rights and responsibilitiesthat go with it that's fine.

I'm just waiting to see if the divorce rates are lower for same-sex couples considering all they went through to get married, you would think they would take be more committed to it.

"Don't worry guys, you don't need the right to get married, you can still be happy, so that's ok."

How very convenient. I wonder what else we can get away with taking away from people as long as we tell them they don't really need it.

Just a quick obseration here. I thought this pod was about the friendship between George Takai and Wiliam Shatner. I didnt realize it was a soapbox for the right wing judeo-christians to spew their homophobic views on gay marriage. Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Kurina said:
I would believe you can still be happy together without having a piece of paper say you are legally bound to each other and changing the definition of marriage, a sacred institution that has been around for centuries.
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Marriage isn't only a christian institution ... its a generic legal institution as well where people have certian legal rights - who can make life and death medical decisions for a person ect.

Marriage existed before "christianity" that certian christian sects belive its an abomination is their right, though in the USA people have a right to their religous beliefs .

Marriage sanctificed by a perticular religon is seperate from the legal certificate of marriage.

One can be married by the church and not by the state though legal rights are then at issue.

what if the legal term were union and marriage was strictly religious

would you be against gay union