Civil partnerships are not carried out in religious buildings and do not involve religious readings. Given the generally bigoted opinion of many religionists on this issue, I'd imagine this does not upset too many same sex couples.
Bigotry may or may not have a bearing on it. I don't know. I suppose it will in some instances and not in others. I know that marriage is defined in the Christian sense as a sacrament with a specific meaning and purpose to a heterosexual couple and it just does not apply to gay couples. I just wondered what Obama meant by the term 'marriage'. The debate can get confused between overt opposition to homosexuality and an understanding of what marriage is.
The church, in its official capacity at least, regards marriage as a heterosexual union and most ministers or churchy officials do not condone the use of their buildings for the purpose of same sex marriage.
Is there a legal difference between the two? The Civil Partnership Act 2004 gave same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities similar to those in a civil marriage. Civil partners are entitled to the same property rights, the same exemptions on inheritance tax, social security and pension benefits as married couples. They also have the same ability to get parental responsibility for a partner's children as well as reasonable maintenance, tenancy rights, insurance and next-of-kin rights in hospital and with doctors. There is a process similar to divorce for dissolving a civil partnership. Any practical differences in the ceremonies? Until now it has been banned for civil partnership ceremonies to include religious readings, music or symbols and forbidden for them to take place in religious venues, regardless of the views of the building's owners. In Scotland, which has its own legislation, some church parishes offer blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Strasbourg ruling says that if gay couples are allowed to marry, any church that offers weddings will be guilty of discrimination if it refuses this facility to same-sex couples. The British consultation document has said that there would be no question of forcing churches to hold these ceremonies on their premises. Neil Addison, a specialist in discrimination law, said: "Once same-sex marriage has been legalised then the partners to such a marriage are entitled to exactly the same rights as partners in a heterosexual marriage. This means that if same-sex marriage is legalised in the UK it will be illegal for the Government to prevent such marriages happening in religious premises."
You are stating that Obama is "compromising" the right to free Religion by supporting gay marriage. My point is if you're not gay and they are not involved in your church, then really having an opinion on the validity of a gay marriage is poking your nose into something which doesn't involve you.
The answer is to abolish Religion then we wouldn't have to spend so much time and effort pussyfooting around it.
what you doing up? not as simple as that really if you think about it Civil ceremonies have in essence done away with marriage, which you would think in an increasingly secular world would be better but when it comes down to it religion is the daddy hence when those who disobey it, homosexuals, want to be recognised by it ie marriage in a church
The answer to some of that, certainly in the case of david cameron, is to do with the case at the ECHR basically the politicians were getting in first so they werent seen as being 'forced' by the ECHR however it seems (in the case of the french lezzers) the ECHR hasnt quite found in favour of gay marriage
I don't have any problems with homosexuals but I guess I would have a problem with a religious homosexual - when you know, Religion tells that individual that they are going to hell for being themselves. I really wouldn't want the churches to change to allow gay marriage, as it would just be another tactic to convince us that they are somehow relevant to modern society and there would be a load of idiots who buy into it as well. No, it's better just for the churches to stay exactly the same and then all right minded individuals with half a brain can see them for what they are.
Its like every other debate/discussion imo. You cant have a reasoned argument without being labelled, in this case homophobic etc. As I said if you look at how this movement started, and its by no means supported by gay people as widely as some believe, the motives are not as 'nice' as what get put forward. The people pushing it have an agenda and dont really care for the views of even gay people. In this case the agenda being religious establishments Like you say the better 'right' would be to call an end to marriage to be replaced by civil partnerships As a muslim, years ago you would have to have a registry office 'marriage' to be officially recognised as being married, now a nikanama (muslim marrriage cotract) is enough Maybe the gay community need to 'invent' a ceremony and have that recognised PS they are going to hell
gay groups/organisations the likes of Peter thatchell (sp) You should listen to gay people/politicians like that Bradshaw bloke. Openly gay and argue that its not a priority for the gay community
How about the Churches and people with Religious views just go away and leave the rest of us alone. If and when Big Gay Religious Dave and Tony try to elope in your Mosque we'll allow you to have an opinion on it - while they stay to **** away from anything to do with your religion then really it's none of your business. To that effect, I don't agree that the Church gets to own marriage. I'm getting married next month and there won't be a Priest/Minster in sight - I'm still married and I don't a flying ****ing which church recognises it or not.
Ben Bradshaw is not against gay marriage. He just believes that David Cameron is using the issue to try and make the Tories look modern.
which is what I have been saying. Its not religion who is getting in your face, as it were. Its the gays who cat leave it alone
If they have Faith in Islam or Christianity or Voodoo Monkey Bollocks then they are your problem, they are one of your clan now, they believe in your god - I'M OUT!
