tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12366201.post2281040515046207211..comments2024-03-29T02:23:57.482-07:00Comments on aka pastor guy: Framing the Conversation: Dr. Baird & Big LoveMark (aka pastor guy)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12920114022832644455noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12366201.post-51857055209989812762008-11-04T20:03:00.000-08:002008-11-04T20:03:00.000-08:00Comments on your comments on my ... oh, you get me...Comments on your comments on my ... oh, you get me. :-)<BR/><BR/>I feel marriage is a <I>human right</I>, that's why sentients-only. On the other hand, if dolphins are judged to have souls someday, I guess we'd have to extend marriage rights. For now, I think I'm safe in ignoring the possibility.<BR/><BR/>Child prostitution in the Far East <I>does diminish</I> me. It's a violation of the value of an individual and their right to self-determination. And to me, so is denying two people the right to have their relationship formalized by the state so they can gain all the benefits accrued to other formalized relationships.<BR/><BR/>I have yet to see evidence that society is harmed by a gay relationship formalized and recognized as a legal entity.Jeff Boeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252208460270474613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12366201.post-16502744656741898442008-11-04T12:41:00.000-08:002008-11-04T12:41:00.000-08:00Jeff, I'd ask you to read all of my posts enti...Jeff, I'd ask you to read all of my posts entitled "Framing the Conversation" and see if that doesn't help explain my personal position.<BR/><BR/>As well, you could take a look at the NY Catholic bishop's statement at http://www.nyscatholic.org/pages/news/show_newsDetails.asp?id=466.<BR/><BR/>A few random comments on your comments:<BR/>- If the definition of marriage doesn't matter, why hold the line at non-sentients?<BR/>- While I understand your arguments & your desire to live & let live, the standard for whether something is good or bad is not whether it threatens you personally. Child prostitution in the Far East does not threaten me, but it is wrong for me to turn a blind eye to it.<BR/>- Again, while I understand your point, the fact that you "feel" that society does not suffer does not make it true.Mark (aka pastor guy)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12920114022832644455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12366201.post-27347254798150576802008-11-04T06:51:00.000-08:002008-11-04T06:51:00.000-08:00I'm a life-long Christian, currently a member ...I'm a life-long Christian, currently a member of a UCC church, and I was a leader in that congregation's discussion and adoption of an Open & Affirming statement. So I'm squarely on the side of gay rights; for me it's a fairness issue.<BR/><BR/>What I want to see from the "other side" is a discussion of <I>why it matters</I> to them that marriage be defined as "one man plus one woman"? How does it impact my marriage in any way, if someone else's marriage to a member of the same sex is recognized by the state? Or to multiple people? (We'll hold the line at marriage to non-sentients, thanks.)<BR/><BR/>There are billions of people in the world who are married outside the Christian church, and those marriages in no way threaten my marriage. There are billions more who are living together outside of marriage, again, no threat to me. There are cultures where a 30-year-old man can legally marry a 14-year-old girl, and while I may question this from the standpoint of whether the girl's rights are respected, I have no doubt that it's a marriage, just not one I would enter into.<BR/><BR/>My opinion is: what the state recognizes as a legal union, and what my church recognizes, and what <I>I</I> recognize, can be different things. I'm not diminished by it, nor do I feel that society suffers for it.Jeff Boeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252208460270474613noreply@blogger.com