Gay Marriage: Why the christians need to STFU about it

[LarissaAnn]

I don't think they are immoral or wrong for "being in love" but society sets limits on marriage all the time. Certain types of relative cannot get married if they are too closely related, for example. We banned polygamy even though you can easily be in love with multiple people at once. The ranges for adulthood vary as well--some places a 16 year old can get married with parental consent. Do you also see all those limits as "incredibly hurtful" or even persecution? This is an honest question, because it is something I think about myself. I'm not even trying to debate you here, just trying to understand what are the limits of a pluralistic society.

Currently some of society sees marriage as a romantic gesture between 2 consenting adults, and other people see it as something more. You seem ok with the ancient Greeks having a different definition of marriage, and you even set your own definition: "two consenting adults in love". A lot falls outside of this, and none of it would (directly) affect you either.

I said it's flawed for you to say they're wrong or immoral to be in love and united in marriage, the marriage bit being the key part there not just in love.

I know those who protest say it's "not a sin to be gay" just not fine that they're married and it's that "not fine that their married part" that's straight up persecution because it would affect you in no way at all personally if they were married. Your marriage would still be pure by your faith's definition and your faith would still endure through it's followers and leaders; it would offend you to know it's out there but it wouldn't hurt you. While at the same time your preventing same sex couples from getting married hurts them and affects their ENTIRE life, not to mention their feelings and self worth.

The incest point is a good point, but that's legitimate I think because there has been substantial proof over the years that children born from closely related parents are prone to genetic defects. There is DIRECT HARM that can come from an incestuous marriage; the only harm that can come from a same sex union is offending those who object to it.

As for polygamy, you may have a point there, but even with same sex marriage I see it as if they're not harming anyone, then who is to tell them they can't do it? Just like that show Sister Wives, it's an unorthodox lifestyle, one I'd never want for myself, but I would never dream of going into that family's household and telling them they have to break apart the love and family they've built together over the years just because I find it different to what I would do. What right would I have to do that?

What are the limits of a society you ask? In this case I would say so long as no one is physically or emotionally hurting themselves or others in their pursuit of happiness in their own homes and private lives, then the government and people have no right to tell them otherwise.

I'm not quite sure I understand your last paragraph there. You said a lot falls outside of a person's or even societies definition of marriage and that wouldn't affect me at all either, I'm not sure what all "falls outside" it that you're talking about? Can you specify a little more please? I suppose same sex couples marrying doesn't affect me personally in a way as I'm straight, but I have many gay and lesbian friends and I see a lot of beauty and love in their relationships, it's a unique and different form of love but just as valid and healthy and normal as any straight relationship and it hits me personally in my feelings to see that discriminated against and how I would feel if someone told me I couldn't legally marry my boyfriend one day. That's how it affects me, through empathy and common decency and care for the feelings of others.

And something in your defense, with Obama's birth control mandate. I personally find the Catholic church's stance on birth control one of the things about it that infuriates me the most about it. HOWEVER, though I think Obama's idea is good on paper and though I WISH the Catholic Church would change its stance on birth control because it's pisses me off, I don't however think it should be FORCED on the church through law. If I can swallow my pride, live and let live even when I strongly object to the main source of the issue, can't you consider it too?