The Same People

More than 50% of hetero marriages end in divorce, so that shows that you have respect for this holy instituition? Being gay, i want something better than "marriage"..its outliving its usefulness. For those who are saying its the end of the world..less than 10% of the population getting a right to marry is going to make a difference in your life? And do you really think that all 10% will get married? Um, no..try about 3%. Separation of church and state people..SEPARATION.

Regardless of what anyone says NO civilization lasts forever. They all fall for one reason or another. Natural disaster, war, disease you name it. As for using Rome as an example of what happens if homosexualty is allowed to "run rampant" then they obviously haven't read or fully understand the dynamics of that ancient civilzation. It can also be said that homosexuality didn't destroy Rome because it fell AFTER the Christians took over not before. The Holy Roman church sanctioned prostituition and convents were actually brothels so I would not be so quick to paint to much gayness as thier downfall.

Bottom line...government should not be in the business of marriage only the church should if it's a so called religeous institution however all the same benefits should be afforded to civil unions as marriage.

I don't think following the example set in 2nd century Rome is such a good idea. I think we need to learn from the the mistakes of former "fallen" empires and avoid the issues that led to their ruin. How we define marriage, entertainment and truth should not follow after those used by the fallen Roman empire. Marriage is very old, much older than even the Roman empire and it had a purpose. Entertainment, is not just merely amusement (a = not, muse = think) but has moral and political implications. Allow entertainment to degrade and your country isn't far behind. And finally truth - does anyone know what the definition of "is" is? The thing about truth, is that it does not vary from person to person, day to day or place to place. Truth is absolute or it isn't truth just a convenient bit of situationalized information.
The issue isn't over yet; there is one ballot not yet cast...

All of you using God to your advantage in this debate are living in the dark ages. No one knows what God thinks. And the Bible? It's about as real as a Dr. Seuss book. You put all your faith into a book that has been edited over and over by whoever happened to be in power at the time. Have you ever stopped to notice that you sound just like those Islamic extremists? No, of course not, you speak the truth because a book written by men 2,000 years ago says so. If it were up to you, people of different races or religions couldn't marry either. Go ahead and respond - Blah, Blah, Bible says, Blah.

So, Ms. Quindlan, if "man" says it's okay then of course it must be okay! To each his/her own, right? Afterall, if someone has an attraction to sheep - let them be! Oh, what about multiple spouses? Why not? Hmmm, can't seem to stay away from the young ones so, it's their right! Remember, every nation (just like Rome) that has fallen, has fallen from within. We are on that path, Ms. Quindlan, and you will have to one day answer for your bravado stance as an ally to those who are an abomination in the sight of God. Oh, by the way, what if one of your mac 'n cheese eating kids just happens to say to you at the immoral dinner table you set, "Hey mom, mind if I download some child porn on your pc?"

IF THE DEBATE IS REALLY OVER ..... then why are their so many posts arguing with Anna's point?

No, the debate isn't over. DUH!

It is a bit ironic that as a counterweight to the claim that gay marriage will bring about the fall of civilization Ms. Quindlen refers to a second century poem from Rome, a civilization which indeed did fall relatively shortly thereafter.

At the end of the day (or days), religion is a personal matter between each individual and God. That is different and separate from government. The role of government is to ensure equal treatment for all out citizens.
Legalizing gay marriage will not prevent those of you who believe it is inmoral to continue to believe that, or to teach that belief to your children or to preach and reach out to those indivuduals you believe have strayed. In fact, it will have no impact on you at all.
The same arguments against gay marriage were used 50 years ago when arguing against interracial marriage; the destruction of our society, the crumbling of the moral fabric of the nation, etc. Most of us would agree that those predictions were wrong. I say "most" because I'm sure some people still are repulsed by interracial marriage.
Lets discuss what gay marriage is not equivalent to:
1. Marrying a child. That is and should be illegal because it is damaging to an underage individual who cannot make his/her own decisions.
2. Marrying a cousin. That is and should be illegal because of the medically acknowledged risk of birth defects for any children resulting from such a union.
3. Marrying an animal. That is just gross.. :)

My point is that the only objection against gay marriage is one based on religion. As such, the California Supreme Court was right in acknowledging the unequal treatment given gay people in the issuing of marriage licenses.
I will admit that I agree that "marriage" is a religious institution as such, I believe that government should not be in the business of issuing "marriage" licenses to any citizen. Governments should issue only perform Civil Unions for both gay and straight couples and all legal and tax rights should derive from that union.
"Marriage" should be performed only by a religious authority and said authority should have the right to decide who to marry in accordance with their beliefs.

first of all, I just want to say i am not a christian, although I was for a long time, but I have studied the bible and read it front to back 10 times and read the Christian Testament alone a lot more. if you would actually read the new testament of the bible, there is really no place where anyone says that homosexuals are sinners. sex out of marriage is a sin, true, but since homosexuals can't legally get married they're stuck between a rock and a hard place.Paul wrote a letter to one church, that tiny little church in Rome, that they should stop having orgies and sleeping with everything that moves. that's it. that's the only place in the Christian testament. read the bible and maybe, although i know this is too much to ask, read about the history of the early Roman church. if you are Jewish and follow strictly to Levitical rules, okay, gay marriage may not be for you. if you are a Christian, read your own damn book a little more thoroughly and stop assuming that homosexuality is wrong. Jesus would have been the first to celebrate at a lesbian wedding.

Everyone in the world needs to be protected from religion. I dont mean God, I mean you psychos going around wielding the bible, shoving your version in everyones face, not actually doing anything except placing judgment and casting stones. You think the end is coming soon? You're probably right because we'll self destruct over religious differences and ego maniacs like yourselves. A bunch of Jihads is all you really are, move to Irag ffs!

...and look what happened to the Roman Empire!

"...the most sacred business of judges is not to ratify the will of the majority but to protect the minority from its tyranny." Where is this phase when it comes to abortion? (yes, subject change). It's amazing that one rule can be bent of broken for one case, and rigidly upheld in another. I believe that's called a double standard. It seems people will say anything to justify doing whatever they want to do.