Letters
Marriage definition matters
After reading editorials from other Catholics, I think a distinction is needed between defining Maine families and marriage. Stand for Marriage is not about discrimination of the gay community.
First, natural law tells us something about the body that is evident in and of itself. Natural law also tells us that the body was designed for the procreative act of husband and wife.
Secondly, for Catholics, divine law elevates marriage to being a source of grace for couples. Scripture is clear, a man and a woman join together in a complementary way becoming one flesh.
The church has spoken out in favor of laws that protect domestic partnerships because family matters. The Catholic Church was criticized for supporting this law but stood strong because of the dignity of individuals and their right to fair treatment.
Same-sex partner relationships must be defined differently because of the intrinsic nature of marriage between one man and one woman.
Defining marriage as any two consenting adults without distinctions introduces a dangerous precedent. Society recognizes that not all people have the "right" to marry. Example, a father cannot marry his daughter, etc. Such a situation inherently makes marriage impossible.
As Catholics, when our bishop speaks, he does so in solidarity with the Apostles who handed down the teachings of Jesus. Yes, following Jesus is challenging.
Let's strengthen laws protecting genuine civil rights without changing the definition of marriage. Marriage between one man and one woman matters.
Join me in voting "yes" on Question 1.
Ruth H. Oakley, Auburn
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Regarding natural law, if
Regarding natural law, if you go to this link
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0722_040722_gayanimal.html
you will find an interesting story by National Geographic on homosexual behavior among nature's (or God's, whichever you prefer) creatures.
Being gay does NOT go against nature's laws.
Couldn't pull up the
Couldn't pull up the article,but I didn't need to. The act of homosexuality in animals is usually out of necessity due to a dearth of one sex or the other. Human homosexuals don't become homosexuals for any reason other than preference.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate
Well the fact that we
Well the fact that we wouldnt exist if the cave men were homosexual tells me (free thinker) that sexually speaking the purpose for a sexual organ is for procreation. Any other use is for pleasure only..Do what ever you want at your house but dont tell me Im wrong for what I do at my house.. And surely dont tell me that my beliefs are WRONG. ITs kinda like saying white bashing black racism is wrong but black bashing white racism is ok.... Cant have the cake and eat it too. COMPROMISE... If its not about re-defining marriage then whats wrong with giving them all the same rights and terming it "CIVIL UNION". That keeps all groups happy.
verified You have it the bull's
You have it the bull's eye...good post.
Okay, they can ride the bus,
Okay, they can ride the bus, but they have to sit in back.
Homosexuality is so much
Homosexuality is so much more than sexual behavior. What part of that is so confusing to you all?
verified How can you ask that?
How can you ask that? Homosexuals differ from the rest of us in only one way; how they choose to have sex and with whom they choose to have it; ie, members of the same sex. Their sexual behavior defines them. They are not unlike us, they just behave differently. It's not right and it's not wrong; it is what it is. Marriage is not really the issue here. It's just that they want their way in every issue that they can think up. After same sex marriage, it'll be something else. Only God and they know what that will be.
Next it will be seeking
Next it will be seeking legal ground to sue god to avoid hell at the final hour, petitioning god because he made them the way they are and its not fair for it to be considered a sin if they were created in his image....when does it end?....NEVER......
could you please elaborate
could you please elaborate more about what the differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals are besides sexual orientation please?.....Im just not clear about what your eluding to. Maybe Im one of the "you all" that is confused. I have homosexual friends that would argue that other than sexual orientation they are exactly the same people that heterosexuals are and shouldnt be considered any less of an individual. Or any better an individual for that matter .....please elaborate.
I wrote that homosexuality
I wrote that homosexuality is so much more than sexual BEHAVIOR. A person is complex and multi-faceted; sexuality is only a part of the whole. Why do many of you only see gay people in terms of a sexual act?
verified Because their sexual
Because their sexual orientation is what most of them have allowed to define them. Heterosexuals don't walk into a crowded room and say, "Hi, I'm Bob...and I'm straight." But many homosexuals will say that they're go after introducing themselves. Why is that?
Ok GDLS1.. you should stop
Ok GDLS1.. you should stop before you make it worse for yourself......take a gay person........remove the homosexuality......what are you left with????????? ANSWER= still a human being no different than any other.....your claims of it being so much more than that is simply an interepretation you have subscribed to that there is more to a gay persons humanity than a heterosexuals humanity........Sorry to have to break it to you but we are all human beings.. no more no less.....
"Sorry to have to break it
"Sorry to have to break it to you but we are all human beings.. no more no less....."
Okay! What's the problem then? Marriage equality for all! Vote No On 1. Thank you.
I guess I have to spell it
I guess I have to spell it out for you.......You claied being homosexual was much more than the sexual acts.......Fact: no it isnt..... as I have stated above ,the only difference between hetero and homosexuals IS Whom they have sex with. Now to answer your question of "whats the problem then". As I stated above you cannot give one group or the other what they want without descriminating or forcefeeding your views to them, THis goes against all that america stands for and the only solution is compromise on both sides of the coin..... I am not against gays/lesbians joining in a civil union and reaping all the same benefits as traditional married couples (MAN AND WOMAN. However if calling it marriage is in turn telling a specific religion or belief system that in the eyes of the law they are wrong then it stomps on they're rights.. So if you are gay and want to get married then in legal terms they can call it CIVIL UNION... If you want to call it marriage around your dinner table, go ahead. No harm in that.... But in the court room and the state house it can be called a CIVIL UNION. That way the bible thumpers dont get descriminated against either..
no , they can ride the bus
no , they can ride the bus and sit wherever they want...... I just wont ask why they dont drive a car. NOne of my buisiness. This is not an apples to apples comparison..
Oppression is oppression.
Oppression is oppression.
verified Darned parrot just informed
Darned parrot just informed me that he wants a sex change. Wants to be called Patty, not Parrot. I knew I shouldn't have given him that catnip.
Does your religious belief
Does your religious belief dictate who can ride the bus? Mine doesnt. Oppression is wrong.... Dont oppress the catholic belief and defenition of the word that marriage is between a man and a woman by forcing your defenition of marriage on others who disagree or believe differently... Websters dictionary is and has been for decades pretty clear on the defenition of marriage. However homosexuals should be allowed to join in a CIVIL UNION and get all the same benfits or rights that married men and women get.. The difference is that in the eyes of the law it would be called a CIVIL UNION not marriage. Call it whichever suits you at your dinner table just respect that at my table I dont call it marriage. And dont try to force me to.
The fair thing is to have
The fair thing is to have ALL consenting couples who commit to each other enter into marriage or civil union. I don't care what it gets called, but it is discriminatory to have two categories/names for the same thing.
verified Some of us might call it
Some of us might call it common sense
verified So animals engage in
So animals engage in homosexual BEHAVIOR. There's nothing new about that. Every farm boy or girl knows that.
But it most certainly IS agains the laws of nature. Nature dictates that in order for their species to survive, they must mate with the oposite sex.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
sorry, at the end of the
sorry, at the end of the link I am unable to add the "ml" just add it and you'll get to the article.
verified iangol, that's a stupid
iangol, that's a stupid remark. Because 1 gay couple split all gay couples don't stay together longer than heterosexual couples. One can never accuse the Yes on 1 crowd of being rational.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
It just reaffirms why I
It just reaffirms why I voted YES on 1 already and am very glad I did. I encourage every one to vote YES on 1.
verified concerned KD, The law
concerned KD,
The law specifically protects religious faiths. Its passage will not discriminate against them at all.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
Well there goes the theory
Well there goes the theory No on 1 is saying...
Rosie O'Donnell and her WIFE have split up and the wife (Kelly) took one or more of the children with her.
Hmm sounds like the argument that homosexuals stay together longer then heterosexals is a misconception.
This was perfect timing for Rosie and Kelly to split up.
by the hollywood litmus test
by the hollywood litmus test then hetrosexuals should never be allowed to marry I mean every week some marriage is breaking up.
Hell I remember one starlet who was only married for 55 minutes.
But some how these are still reguared as more genuine then a homosexual couple who'd been together for 20 or 30 years
I would not use any start,
I would not use any start, or Hollywood person as a way to use as a litnus test. On how things show be. There the least secure people in matters of reality
verified Concerned KD, natural law is
Concerned KD, natural law is not scientific fact. natural law is a system of belief based on supernatural processes. Natural law was developed centuries before there was science or a scientific method. While its true reproduction requires at least up until now a egg and sperm, The product of reproduction is not 100% heterosexual. Human reproduction normally and naturally produces a wide range of sexual orientations.
Saying that bigotry is OK because its traditional is stupid. And exposed by saying that marriage is "a social institution". If its a social institution and therefore secular it can be changed at any time.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified Gays should be rejoicing
Gays should be rejoicing instead of bashing the Catholic Church and badmouthing opponents of same sex marriage.
The government in its largesse has just made any attacks of any sort against gay people a HATE CRIME. Of course, they slipped this through as part of a DEFENSE spending bill. Sneaky, eh?
So now, there remains only one unprotected class of citizens in our country. WHITE, WORKING, HETEROSEXUAL MALES.
verified I would have to disagree...
I would have to disagree... it is discrimination, and its sad that the 'home of the free' and other morals inc. religious morals, at this day and age-as a nation STILL are having to deal with it in our country. I have not heard one pleasant debate that is factual and does not include god or that persons religion (like THEIR religion is the ONLY religion). I would have to say more times than not yes on 1 supporters are the ones who get personal and start bashing NO on 1 supporters. In all honesty, all of this makes me ashamed to be a human being let alone a mainer...
verified This is currently how the
This is currently how the law in Maine reads regarding the definition of marriage:
Title 19-A, p650,
1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that:
A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.
2. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are:
A. To encourage the traditional monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life;
B. To nurture, sustain and protect the traditional monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and
C. To support and strengthen traditional monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts.
Those are pretty powerful statements, and I agree one hundred percent. The State has failed in its moral obligation to "nurture, sustain and protect the traditional monogomous family unit" with the passage of this so-called "equality in marriage" law.
The State has the authority to extend the same bennefits that "traditional monogamous" married couples now have, to same sex couples and heterosexual couples who are not married. THAT would be the most logical thing to do, and it does not discriminate against anyone, religious or otherwise. I might add, they should probably be extended to single parrents as well.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
Agree totally
Agree totally
verified "ashamed of being a human
"ashamed of being a human being?"...Wow, that's heavy. The parrot sez you should be happy you're not a bird. He sez you should try having a pirate for your boss; it can be pretty lousy at times. You can't change being a human, but you sure can change being a Mainer.
So queenHB- The problem here
So queenHB- The problem here is neither side of the issue can get they're way without descriminating against another group. No matter if it is a religious group or a group of sexual orientation, imposing your beliefs upon others is wrong and against the fundamentals that this country is founded upon. So I ask you, If compromise is not the answer then what is the answer?
verified 'imposing your beliefs upon
'imposing your beliefs upon others is wrong'
verified No argument there. So why
No argument there. So why are WE so expected to join the same sex marriage bandwagon when it is against our beliefs? It's the gays who want US to give up OUR definition of marriage--a union between one man; one woman.
To jalbrecht-poorman-lil.
To jalbrecht-poorman-lil. natural law is NOT ignorance , it is scientific fact.... EXAMPLE, 2 sperm cannot be used to create life..ONLY a sperm and an Egg work, if you question this ask your doctor because you are the ignorant one.... second : to bash on this author (Ruth) you are acting as the bigot against her.. She is standing up for her beliefs as a catholic, and for anyone to say the hateful things said by the first few bloggers here is inherently un-american. we are founded on the principles of tolerance and YES equality. But noone should have to change they're religious systems or beliefs to suit others beliefs(Hence why the hatefull groups like the KKK are still tolerated to exist in this countryagainst the will of the majority)Its called freedom folks.. This is the freedoms that make this country great and if you dont like feel free to leave this great country... we dont want your type anyhow.
Now as for the gay marriage issue...... I agree with Ruth, and yes it is my personal oppinion, however for Law to be passed that dictates to other religions/belief systems that they are wrong and another particular groups belief is the right one is fundamentally un-american.
MARRIAGE:the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.
This defenition is very clearly stated and illustrates that marriage is defined to be between a man and a woman.. However this does not mean that gays/lesbians cannot join in a CIVIL UNION and reap all the same rights/ benefits as hetero couples do. THis is not a statement of bigotry it is a way of giving both sides what they want without telling any one side they are wrong in they're beliefs..
COMPROMISE:a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.
This wouldnt have to be so difficult if BOTH sides were willing to compromise. And not claim descrimination just because they dont get they're way. After all if calling a union between same sex couples "marriage" is descriminatory towards a religions beliefs, forcing this way of thinking on them is in turn descrimination.. Thats my oppinion and I welcome yours.
I have to agree, that the
I have to agree, that the Catholic church has gone out of its way, to declare that Gay marriage is in moral. Where were they when all the pedafile priest were all being accused. No they sent them to New Mexico for re hab, thinking they had a desise and could be re abillatated. They probable want to do the same with the gay people, Hoping their is a cure.
So richest way of thinking. And wonder way so may Catholic are leaving the church.
Because some bishops chose
Because some bishops chose to disobey the laws of the Church and listen instead to the liberal elites who convinced them that pedophile priests could be rehabilitated, doesn't have any bearing on the Church's teachings on sexuality - which have been consistent for 2000 years.
verified The disease is sin, Jesus is
The disease is sin, Jesus is the cure.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
jchick writes: "The disease
jchick writes: "The disease is sin, Jesus is the cure."
The disease is intolerance, acceptance is the cure
NO on 1 supporters, keep
NO on 1 supporters, keep spewing hateful names at those us of brave enough to stand up for what's right. It shows how childish they can be. "If we can't get our way, or if people speak against us, we'll just hurl insults at them to try to make them look bad." In our letters you can see that those in favor of repealing this law have said we don't "hate" gay people, but homosexuality is a deviation and against God. Yes you all come back saying we're bigots or worse. I will continue to pray for those who are going to VOTE YES, and those who are either undecided or planning to VOTE No, that they will be brave enough to vote to uphold Marriage as 1 man & 1 woman.
verified Its not about redefining
Its not about redefining marriage. Natural law is simply ignorance called traditional.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified Natural law is simply
Natural law is simply ignorance called traditional?
From Wikipedia:
"Natural law or the law of nature (Latin: lex naturalis) is a theory that posits the existence of a law whose content is set by nature and that therefore has validity everywhere.
Natural law theories have exercised a profound influence on the development of English common law, and have featured greatly in the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas, Francisco Suárez, Richard Hooker, Thomas Hobbes, Hugo Grotius, Samuel von Pufendorf, John Locke and Emmerich de Vattel. Because of the intersection between natural law and natural rights, it has been cited as a component in United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States."
"The Law of Nature also refers to Physical law, a scientific generalization based upon empirical observation"
So basically, what you are telling us is that science and our system of government is based on tradition and ignorance.
From Maine Law Title 19-A, 650:
"A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage."
The "equallity in marriage" law IS EXACTLY about redefining marriage. It re-writes Maine marriage law to redefine the "legal" definition of marriage so homosexuals (people of the same sex) can be "legally" married.
Nice try.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
verified Same sex marriage is a
Same sex marriage is a perversion of natural law. Your campaign is based on the false premise that it is civil rights issue. This is an absolute farce.
Question: If all of the benefits not covered under the existing civil union laws were suddenly INCLUDED, would you still insist on being MARRIED or would a legal civil union suffice? YES or NO.
Yes or no? It's such a
Yes or no? It's such a simple question. I'm anxious to find out the answers.
verified I don't expect any. Too
I don't expect any. Too simple for them. They have to convolute stuff to understand it.
verified poorman.. Mainers don't need
poorman.. Mainers don't need bigots to look like idiots. That's why the've been electing democrats for the last 35 years. "If you don't like gay marriage don't get one". That's right up there with "I know you are, but what am I?". Sophomoric school yard crap.
A liberal is a Democrat who
A liberal is a Democrat who became so open minded their brains fell out. Author unrecalled
verified To show their true colors,
To show their true colors, the Catholic church is associating with a known hate group called Mass Resistance.
______________________
Franklin D. Roosevelt
verified Lil, prove it. Where can I
Lil, prove it. Where can I find this info.
verified Parrot wants to know why Lil
Parrot wants to know why Lil so dislikes the Catholic Church. He's a member of the church of the holy frisbee and has been thinking of changing affiliations. Since he's considering his options, he needs all the information he can get. So....what is so wrong with the Catholic Church, Lil?
Very good letter, it is
Very good letter, it is about rdefining marriage. God bless us all.
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