"Aren't we living in a democracy where the majority rules?"

No, we're not. We're living in a very carefully regulated constitutional republic (with some aspects of direct democracy retained) designed to prevent tyranny of the majority.

The truth it there are no sincere Christian ministers who think being gay is wrong. The bible answers the question clearly in Romans 13:10 "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfiling of the law." Gay characters or at least bisexual characters in the Bible include Israel, King David, King Solomon, Prince Jonathan, Prince Absalom, Prophet Daniel, Prophet Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul, among others. Moreover, Jesus himself had a same sex family, and confided care of his mother to his beloved disciple when he knew he would be crucified. Most of the so-called antigay passages have been mistranslated and misinterpreted (particularly the Sodom story, which was about human sacrifice to Belial, not homosexuality). The public doesn't know it because the public doesn't read the Bible, but all the ministers from Rick Warren and the pope on down, know that homosexuality is not a sin. Indeed, as recently as 1978 there was a Catholic pope, Albin Luciani (John Paul I) who had testified in Italian parliament in favor of gay families. The public are getting ired of the lame charade of the current pope.

It seems we're creating yet another bunch of "specialty" legislation to introduce yet another set of laws that favor specific minorities. Why? Aren't we living in a democracy where the majority rules? I don't give a darn about peoples' sexual preferences, and I sure don't want to have to take theim into account when I hire someone. They should leave that at home. You want to go have sex with someone your own sex, do it. Hold hands, live in the same house. Wear the other sexes clothes. Whatever. Just don't ask for a law that makes you any more "special" than anyone else. In short, STFU about it.

I think civil unions with full legal status should be granted to homosexuals. Marriage is a civil union between a man and a woman. The Catholic Church will not allow marriage between a divorcee and new spouse unless the previous marriage has been annulled in the Church. This is Catholic law and has nothing to do with civil law.

As far as adoption goes well I do not know what to think. Is it right for homosexuals to assert their sexuality over children as there heterosexual parents did on them. I think though having 2 parents from a previous relationship is better than having the kids in orphanages though. Of course if single people can adopt then I guess it could be alright for homosexuals to adopt too.

I think the Christian Right needs to get a grip on reality. First of all you have to accept homosexuals as people but no one is forcing you to be their friends. Secondly for even believing in God "the burden of proof is on them" not atheists. All I have to do is be guided by reason and that is it. Yes without God there is a purpose. I think experiences of happiness and love make this life worth living in an otherwise random universe. So all the Christian Right that calls atheists communists etc. are just arguing red herrings. Communism is an economic system just like capitalism with their own faults.

As far as the comment

In other news today, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig lost his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the airport bathroom sex sting case that wrecked his political career. Craig you may recall, was arrested June 11, 2007, by an undercover police officer who was conducting a sting operation against men cruising for gay sex at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Gay marriage must keep gay men at home and faithful, just as traditional marriage keeps heterosexuals at home and faithful.

I suppose gay bathroom sex is not a choice either.

It's a sad day when heterosexuals feel compelled to protect the sanctity of marriage from a forcible attack by homosexuals upon the values we hold so dear. Homosexuals can no more force acceptance of their degeneracy on heterosexuals, than heterosexuals can force morality on homosexuals.

Personally, I'd like to see more anti-Prop 8 riots. America needs to see exactly who is attacking our values and traditions.

and d. I'm sure there are enough Heteros being born and balancing out the equation... RELAX PEOPLE... worry about your souls... we truly are here for such a short time... Wouldn't it be terrible to waste it!!!

You know I've read through this entire post strain, sadly. And have to actually recognize that a. whatever the reason or rhyme sezuality is NOT a choice. b. it's a shame so very many people want to make the business of a few theirs. c. Homosexuality will NEVER destruct the society or world.... And if it does maybe it was MEANT to be that way. d.

Re: comment Posted By: steerpike66 @ 12/09/2008 4:57:27 AM > "Homosexuals in relationships LOVE their partners with a full and emotional love that seeks to express itself through sexual pleasure like any mature human love."

As you've described it, pedophiles would express the SAME LOVE for the victims selected to satisfy their personal expression of sexual pleasure. It is unfortunate that you refuse to admit what Prop 8 has made crystal clear.

Homosexuals in relationships LOVE their partners with a full and emotional love that seeks to express itself through sexual pleasure like any mature human love. Efforts to pretend that this is not so invariably rebound on those who use them; people like roy Rogers, who cite the barbarism of countries like Pakistand and Sudan degrade themselves. people who seek to characterise gay sex as vile only make themselves look disgusting; so go on: keep on carping aout sodomy and how we'd be beheaded in iran; these gross arguments win over more support for gays than any pride parade.

Re: Posted By: free thinkers @ 12/09/2008 12:15:57 AM - "the christians will be the downfall of civilization, their bigoted and followers, it is unreal how brainwashed people can be, who made them god, there are so many religions in the world but the evangelicals are the worst, the most hypocritical!!!"

Take your homosexuality to a muslim country and see how long you survive.
You are an anti-Christian, racist. The "evil" you espouse resides in you.

the christians will be the downfall of civilization, their bigoted and followers, it is unreal how brainwashed people can be, who made them god, there are so many religions in the world but the evangelicals are the worst, the most hypocritical!!! if you believe god didn't make any junk then why are gay people here, because god put us here, we are better educated than the rest of the world and more evolved. the christians go to church , then go out and drink, commit adultry, and everyother thing they condemn others for, they hide behind religion, when someone says i'm a good christian, i laugh, they are the worst. i don't know who your following but jesus christ was supposed to be a good evolved person, just a person, like ghandi , a person spiritualy above the rest....he would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what was going on here, and would condemn those who supposedly follow him. he was inclusive of everyone, niot like the christians who espouse love thy neighbor, as long as their like them. stay out of other peoples business, judge yourself, i''m sure that will take a lifetime to grow, have your own mind and thought, get out of the church, all they want is power and control of the masses, they are pure evil.......

It is believed that alcoholism is inherited - that children of alcoholics are likely, if they take that first drink, to become an alcoholic. Some might argue that they do not choose to be an alcholic - it is a disease. Does this mean it's okay to drink if you're an alcoholic, or should you seek help?

I am not a racist or a biggot. I am a Christian. As I look at all these comments it sicken me to no end what the world is becoming. God is coming back and the way things are becoming he is coming soon. I myself will be honored at his presence. God made Adam and Eve if he didn't want man and woman or vice versa he wouldn't have made both genders.So that tells me it is wrong in his eyes and those who think it right will be judged by him when he returns. I do not hate because it is not in my power to hate. And only one can judge and that is God. So I will pray for those that do sin in this manner.

In reply to sstidham @ 12/08/2008 6:07:16 PM - Well you are born gay.
Is that right? No "choice" or "preference" at all? No personal responsibility whatsoever? Sounds the same as being "born" a pedophile, a beast master, or a serial murderer.
I was "born" wanting dark blonde haired, blue eyed females, 5'6"-5'8", 112-120lbs. Using your logic, ANY of these ladies who deny me my Constitutional "rights" to them are prejudiced and bigoted. GOD FORBID I exercise a little "self-control".

Posted By: Roy Rogers @ 12/07/2008 4:44:39 PMWhat's the "connection" between sexual preferences and civil rights?
Well you are born gay it is not a preference like "would you like fish or steak tonight?". Is your sexual perfernce straight? In the United States civil rights are usually thought of in terms of the specific rights guaranteed in the Constitution: freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press, and the rights to due process of law and to equal protection under the law. Not being able to marry, serve in the military, donate blood etc makes this a civil rights issue, because we are not considered equal here in the US.

Now maybe you can understand the hostility. Going back years on end, Christian activists have targeted gay people to drive us underground or to punish us for being gay simply because they disapprove: no fair housing protection, no fair employment protection; no teaching in the schools; no serving openly in the military ; not adoption or custory of biological kids; no recognition of long-term relationships. Your demand for tolerance of an essentially discriminatory, ostracizing point of view carried out at the ballot box and in the public square is delusional. Ask yourself this, if you don't get it. Would you expect black folks in America to be "tolerant" of the views of the Klan demanding that segregation and Jim Crow be brought back?