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Topic: Gay Marriage should be legal!
no photo
Thu 12/18/08 07:49 AM
Edited by Unknow on Thu 12/18/08 07:51 AM


In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..

Yes but what is the foundation of marriage, the state started doing later, they took over a religious ceremony.
It does not matter. That my friend in a case of true discrimination. Plain and simple. Can you say double standard!!! Just because its alright for one makes it wrong for another!!

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 07:50 AM
Edited by Unknow on Thu 12/18/08 07:54 AM


In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!! That's the law of the land..Not religion.

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 07:54 AM



In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!!


I do know that, but for religious people it would mean that by the law of their religion they live in sin. I have no problem with either, I would go as far as recognizing a couple that lives together for years without any cert as married, because that's what in fact they are. I have to add IMHO

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 07:56 AM
Edited by Unknow on Thu 12/18/08 07:56 AM




In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!!


I do know that, but for religious people it would mean that by the law of their religion they live in sin. I have no problem with either, I would go as far as recognizing a couple that lives together for years without any cert as married, because that's what in fact they are. I have to add IMHO
The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!! I think we agree anyway but had to say that.

Seakolony's photo
Thu 12/18/08 07:59 AM



In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!! That's the law of the land..Not religion.

LOL u r awesome.........yes but they took it from religion, LOL. basically everything is a way to justify a way of thinking. If you go back to chemistry laws, how do you know red is red as color is a reflection of light, someone just named it that and religion or people who formed the religious foundation created it and named it marriage, other should come up with their own name a ceremonies and call it what they wish. Yes the Bible is written by man as any other book to put forth an idea. Just as we write here to put forth an idea.

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:00 AM
The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!!


I know that, too, but religious people have this herd instinct.
They fear to be closed out of their community.
It's hard for me to explain as I'm not religious, I just try to walk in their shoes for a while.

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:01 AM




In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!! That's the law of the land..Not religion.

LOL u r awesome.........yes but they took it from religion, LOL. basically everything is a way to justify a way of thinking. If you go back to chemistry laws, how do you know red is red as color is a reflection of light, someone just named it that and religion or people who formed the religious foundation created it and named it marriage, other should come up with their own name a ceremonies and call it what they wish. Yes the Bible is written by man as any other book to put forth an idea. Just as we write here to put forth an idea.
I hope that was a compliment as I do not intend to disrespect anyone..

Seakolony's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:01 AM





In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.
But mans law does!!!!


I do know that, but for religious people it would mean that by the law of their religion they live in sin. I have no problem with either, I would go as far as recognizing a couple that lives together for years without any cert as married, because that's what in fact they are. I have to add IMHO
The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!! I think we agree anyway but had to say that.

But many come from a religious aspect.

Lynann's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:01 AM
The founding fathers did not come up with the pledge of allegiance you know today.

In God we Trust wasn't inserted into the pledge until much later. During red scare of the 50's politicians and propagandist sought to distinguish the good old God fearing U.S.A. from those godless commies who were our enemy. Up pops the new version of the pledge.

Seems many people think it was the founders who came up with the phrase, heck even Sarah Palin said during the campaign that if it was good enough for the founders it was good enough for her haha


Here is a little history lesson courtesy of http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_mott.htm

The replacement motto: "In God We Trust:"

The war of 1812 was an unusual conflict. Both sides claimed victory. The winner depends upon which history books or which country's schools you attended. Also, the war lasted well beyond 1812.

During 1814, Francis Scott Key (a.k.a. Frank) had an eventful September. "Traveling under a white flag, Key met with both an enemy general and admiral, recovered a war prisoner, became a war prisoner, watched a historical bombardment, lost a night's sleep, and wrote" what eventually became the American national anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. 1
The final stanza reads:

"And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

In 1864, the words were shortened to "In God We Trust" and applied to a newly designed two-cent coin.

Almost a century and a half ago, eleven Protestant denominations mounted a campaign to add references to God to the U.S. Constitution and other federal documents. Rev. M.R. Watkinson of Ridleyville PA was the first of many to write a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase in 1861 to promote this concept. 2 Watkinson suggested the words "God, Liberty, Law." 3 In 1863, Chase asked the Director of the Mint, James Pollock to prepare suitable wording for a motto to be used on Union coins used during the Civil War. Pollock suggested "Our Trust Is In God," "Our God And Our Country," "God And Our Country," and "God Our Trust." Chase picked "In God We Trust" to be used on some of the government's coins. The phrase was a subtle reminder that the Union considered itself on God's side with respect to slavery. Congress passed enabling legislation. Since a 1837 Act of Congress specified the mottos and devices that were to be placed on U.S. coins, it was necessary to pass another Act to enable the motto to be added. This was done on 1886-APR-22. "The motto has been in continuous use on the one-cent coin since 1909, and on the ten-cent coin since 1916. It also has appeared on all gold coins and silver dollar coins, half-dollar coins, and quarter-dollar coins struck since" 1908-JUL-1. 3

Decades later, Theodore Roosevelt disapproved of the motto. In a letter to William Boldly on 1907-NOV-11, he wrote:

"My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

In 1956, the nation was suffering through the height of the cold war, and the McCarthy communist witch hunt. Partly in reaction to these factors, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution to replace the existing motto with "In God we Trust." The president signed the resolution into law on 1956-JUL-30. The change was partly motivated by a desire to differentiate between communism, which promotes Atheism, and Western capitalistic democracies, which were at least nominally Christian. The phrase "Atheistic Communists" has been repeated so many times that the public has linked Atheism with communism; the two are often considered synonymous. Many consider Atheism as unpatriotic and un-American as is communism. The new motto was first used on paper money in 1957, when it was added to the one-dollar silver certificate. By 1966, "In God we Trust" was added to all paper money, from $1 to $100 denominations. 3

Most communists, worldwide, are Atheists. But, in North America, the reverse is not true; most Atheists are non-communists. Although there are many Atheistic and Humanistic legislators at the federal and state levels, few if any are willing to reveal their beliefs, because of the immense prejudice against Atheism. If they were open about their beliefs, none would ever be elected.

During the 1950's the federal government's references to God multiplied:

* The phrase "under God" was added to the otherwise secular Pledge of Allegiance.
* "So help me God" was added as a suffix to the oaths of office for federal justices and judges. However, they are not compelled to recite the words. There has been a widespread belief that every president since George Washington has said these words during his inauguration. The belief appears to be without merit.
* American paper currency since 1957 has included the motto "In God We Trust." 4 The Freedom from Religion Foundation has been unable to find any other country in the world which has a religious motto on their money. 5 However, it appears that:
o The Dutch have had a religious motto on their money for over a century (one source says since the 18th century; an other says since 1816 CE). Coins carry the motto "God zij met ons." ("God is with us."). This motto has been carried over into the Netherlands version of the new 2 euro coin. 6,7
o During the 1980's, former president Jose Sarney introduced into Brazilian paper money the phrase "Deus seja louvado" ("God be praised.")
o Although not a motto, many British coins contain a drawing of the queen identified as "Elizabeth II D.G. REG. F.D." This is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase which means "Elizabeth II by Grace of God Defender of the Faith." In Britain, the monarch is the head of the Church of England. Canadian coins carry the phrase "Elizabeth II D.G. Regina." She is the queen of Canada but is not the "Defender of the Faith," because Canada does not have a state religion for her to defend.

Seakolony's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:02 AM
I hope that was a compliment as I do not intend to disrespect anyone..
absolutely, just a keen mind for debate I always appreciate that

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:02 AM

The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!!


I know that, too, but religious people have this herd instinct.
They fear to be closed out of their community.
It's hard for me to explain as I'm not religious, I just try to walk in their shoes for a while.
What funny is I believe in god. Im not affiliated with any church and I believe in my heart that god accepts that..

jdcolvin's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:02 AM
Not just no but Hell no

Seakolony's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:04 AM

The founding fathers did not come up with the pledge of allegiance you know today.

In God we Trust wasn't inserted into the pledge until much later. During red scare of the 50's politicians and propagandist sought to distinguish the good old God fearing U.S.A. from those godless commies who were our enemy. Up pops the new version of the pledge.

Seems many people think it was the founders who came up with the phrase, heck even Sarah Palin said during the campaign that if it was good enough for the founders it was good enough for her haha


Here is a little history lesson courtesy of http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_mott.htm

The replacement motto: "In God We Trust:"

The war of 1812 was an unusual conflict. Both sides claimed victory. The winner depends upon which history books or which country's schools you attended. Also, the war lasted well beyond 1812.

During 1814, Francis Scott Key (a.k.a. Frank) had an eventful September. "Traveling under a white flag, Key met with both an enemy general and admiral, recovered a war prisoner, became a war prisoner, watched a historical bombardment, lost a night's sleep, and wrote" what eventually became the American national anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. 1
The final stanza reads:

"And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

In 1864, the words were shortened to "In God We Trust" and applied to a newly designed two-cent coin.

Almost a century and a half ago, eleven Protestant denominations mounted a campaign to add references to God to the U.S. Constitution and other federal documents. Rev. M.R. Watkinson of Ridleyville PA was the first of many to write a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase in 1861 to promote this concept. 2 Watkinson suggested the words "God, Liberty, Law." 3 In 1863, Chase asked the Director of the Mint, James Pollock to prepare suitable wording for a motto to be used on Union coins used during the Civil War. Pollock suggested "Our Trust Is In God," "Our God And Our Country," "God And Our Country," and "God Our Trust." Chase picked "In God We Trust" to be used on some of the government's coins. The phrase was a subtle reminder that the Union considered itself on God's side with respect to slavery. Congress passed enabling legislation. Since a 1837 Act of Congress specified the mottos and devices that were to be placed on U.S. coins, it was necessary to pass another Act to enable the motto to be added. This was done on 1886-APR-22. "The motto has been in continuous use on the one-cent coin since 1909, and on the ten-cent coin since 1916. It also has appeared on all gold coins and silver dollar coins, half-dollar coins, and quarter-dollar coins struck since" 1908-JUL-1. 3

Decades later, Theodore Roosevelt disapproved of the motto. In a letter to William Boldly on 1907-NOV-11, he wrote:

"My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

In 1956, the nation was suffering through the height of the cold war, and the McCarthy communist witch hunt. Partly in reaction to these factors, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution to replace the existing motto with "In God we Trust." The president signed the resolution into law on 1956-JUL-30. The change was partly motivated by a desire to differentiate between communism, which promotes Atheism, and Western capitalistic democracies, which were at least nominally Christian. The phrase "Atheistic Communists" has been repeated so many times that the public has linked Atheism with communism; the two are often considered synonymous. Many consider Atheism as unpatriotic and un-American as is communism. The new motto was first used on paper money in 1957, when it was added to the one-dollar silver certificate. By 1966, "In God we Trust" was added to all paper money, from $1 to $100 denominations. 3

Most communists, worldwide, are Atheists. But, in North America, the reverse is not true; most Atheists are non-communists. Although there are many Atheistic and Humanistic legislators at the federal and state levels, few if any are willing to reveal their beliefs, because of the immense prejudice against Atheism. If they were open about their beliefs, none would ever be elected.

During the 1950's the federal government's references to God multiplied:

* The phrase "under God" was added to the otherwise secular Pledge of Allegiance.
* "So help me God" was added as a suffix to the oaths of office for federal justices and judges. However, they are not compelled to recite the words. There has been a widespread belief that every president since George Washington has said these words during his inauguration. The belief appears to be without merit.
* American paper currency since 1957 has included the motto "In God We Trust." 4 The Freedom from Religion Foundation has been unable to find any other country in the world which has a religious motto on their money. 5 However, it appears that:
o The Dutch have had a religious motto on their money for over a century (one source says since the 18th century; an other says since 1816 CE). Coins carry the motto "God zij met ons." ("God is with us."). This motto has been carried over into the Netherlands version of the new 2 euro coin. 6,7
o During the 1980's, former president Jose Sarney introduced into Brazilian paper money the phrase "Deus seja louvado" ("God be praised.")
o Although not a motto, many British coins contain a drawing of the queen identified as "Elizabeth II D.G. REG. F.D." This is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase which means "Elizabeth II by Grace of God Defender of the Faith." In Britain, the monarch is the head of the Church of England. Canadian coins carry the phrase "Elizabeth II D.G. Regina." She is the queen of Canada but is not the "Defender of the Faith," because Canada does not have a state religion for her to defend.


It is still there is it not

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:04 AM

Not just no but Hell no
Come on explain!!!

no photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:05 AM


The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!!


I know that, too, but religious people have this herd instinct.
They fear to be closed out of their community.
It's hard for me to explain as I'm not religious, I just try to walk in their shoes for a while.
What funny is I believe in god. Im not affiliated with any church and I believe in my heart that god accepts that..


My beliefs are completely different, they don't exclude anyone for anything. These exclusionary laws of some religions drive me spare.flowerforyou

fairycatcher31's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:06 AM


The laws enforced in this country are laws made by man and not god!!


I know that, too, but religious people have this herd instinct.
They fear to be closed out of their community.
It's hard for me to explain as I'm not religious, I just try to walk in their shoes for a while.
What funny is I believe in god. Im not affiliated with any church and I believe in my heart that god accepts that..


I agree with you there!! I mean going to church doesn't make you a christian just as going into a garage doesn't make you a car!!

Seakolony's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:07 AM
agreed I have seen more hypocrites in church than out

fairycatcher31's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:07 AM

Not just no but Hell no


??? could you be more clear on your response??

fairycatcher31's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:09 AM
Edited by fairycatcher31 on Thu 12/18/08 08:09 AM

agreed I have seen more hypocrites in church than out


I have worked for a church...did thier finances for them and the two years I worked there made me rethink EVERYTHING about being a Christian!! A preacher is sooooooooooo different when not standing on the pulpit!!!

Oh and I am a strong believer that gays should have the exact same rights as everyone else!! And it really has nothing to do with Religion!!

Winx's photo
Thu 12/18/08 08:09 AM
< continued at this topic >
< last part of this topic is here >


In today's world not all legal marriages are performed in a church or by a member of a church. What is a Justice of the peace. They are a position held in government and not by a church. So how can anyone say that marriage is only recognized by the church..


Most religions don't recognize a marriage performed by a Justice of peace. It's sad, but a fact all the same.


Do you know what religions don't recognize it? I have only heard of the Catholic church doing that. I wasn't aware that there were more.

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