Homosexuality

[G.N.H.S.04]

Many people believe that same-sex marriage or its equivalent under another name will become available to all loving, committed adult couples throughout North America, western Europe and other countries in future decades, whether they be same-sex or opposite-sex spouses. Do you agree?

[CM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.N.H.S.04 Many people believe that same-sex marriage or its equivalent under another name will become available to all loving, committed adult couples throughout North America, western Europe and other countries in future decades, whether they be same-sex or opposite-sex spouses. Do you agree?

I believe in Western Europe that should be more than likely. Baring Spain and Italy you should have same sex marriages allowed by the end of the decade. Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark leading the way, these countries have usually be the ones that champion individual rights and set the norm in them.

US I personally think this will be a state matter and not a federal matter. Considering the amount of influence of religion in the current white house, don't expect it to be considered up for legislation until 2020. Simply because it would take that long for people to be swayed towards even considering such a bill. People would basically need to contribute heavily to campaign financing to get this bill passed.

The rest of the world? Muslim countries will not accept this for another 50 odd years to say the least. Of course it could be even less depending on the US plans in the Middle east.

The ASEAN region, Latin America and Africa? No clue.

[dragon wench]

Rather an interesting first post on Game Banshee....

Anyway, the subject of same sex marriage has been covered quite extensively in the past.
Personally, I am in complete agreement with the idea.

[Lestat]

I heard this a while ago on BBC world, concerning South-Africa. I haven't heard anything further about it, and though there were some positive reactions, it caused quite an outcry all over the continent. See reactions.
Note: if moderators feel that because of the content of some of the reactions, this link goes against the rules, please remove it. But since it is a link from the BBC and because it fairly accurately reflects attitudes towards homosexuality I (and other people I know) encountered in Africa, I thought it was worthwile to post it.

Oh for clarity: I fully support the idea of same-sex marriages, though before the law. I do not think they should be forced upon religions.

[Phreddie]

Im not against it, but Im not going to Jump up waving a rainbow banner to get it passed, although I will sit down and explain any to anyone why there is no legal grounding for a ban on SS mairages, mos tpeople I have talked to about this have said, "its in the the bible, so it should be illegal", thats who ive talked too, but it is also the main reason for alot of people to oppose it, Religion, almost all Religions are against Homosexuality, in fact I know of none that are ok/support it ( are there any?) I do believe in the states It will take about ten-fifteen years to actaully get a majority of the states to ahve legislation similar to massachussets, where it is legal as of now, unfortunately some of the more conservative states might swing towards california, where they outright banned Mairagge, and if im not mistaken civil unions too, after a highly publiscized controversial debate. Im hoping we dont go into a political civil war soon, over this and all the other big debates popping up in the last couple of years... meh thats not going to happen, but there will be an uproar in washington whihc will make for interesting reading if nothing else soon.

I support it, it will be ok, but expect to wait 100 years until there is not much opposition too it, it will be legalized in 30 for most parts of the world, but just like the civil rights movement in the states, not everyone is going to be ok with it, there may be some violence, there will be unrest, to what degree we will hae to wait see.

[Luis Antonio]

In Brazil the catholic church is still very strong, so it is a no go. Gay people are also seen as sick people by some evangelical churches here (opinion that I despise) and it seems that pretty much the same happens on the other countries around Brazil.

So, Latin america is a no go.

[Aramant]

I was watching television a couple of days ago. I forget if it was the news, or something on the Discovery Channel or a similar station, but there was a feature on "breakaway" churches either in Canada or the United States... or both. Essentially, some individual parishes or diocese or whatever you'd like to call them decided as a group to do certain things that their religions officially disallow. One example was the induction of a number of female priests into a Catholic church.

If this turns into a significantly wide-spread movement, it's possible that another religious reformation could occur some time in the relatively near future. If that's the case, same-sex marriages might become religiously sanctioned by these new denominations at some point.

As a bit of a tangent, it's interesting to think about how new religions or branches thereof were (eventually) accepted publically in the past, but the idea of a new faith or denomination coming into being now is generally met with derision. For example, Hollywood seems pretty into the whole Scientology thing, but the impression I get for the most part is that the majority of people think it's insane. More specifically with these breakaway churches, even if they gain enough support, I have to wonder if they'd ever get official recognition, either by secular or non-secular groups.

[VonDondu]

This reminds me of "newsletters" that are put on people's windshields in church parking lots by conservative political activists.

What exactly is the purpose of the question posted by the person who started this message thread? Research? Energizing a political base? Trolling? What do YOU think?

[CM]

VonDondu does it matter? I mean who really cares why he or she asked it? Does it affect the daily workings of the lives of any of the people on this forum? The man or woman asked a question. Many have done that before and many will continue to do so.

[Georgi]

Quite topical - the Civil Partnership Act was passed in the UK earlier this month, and the first same-sex couple got married in Northern Ireland yesterday, in Scotland today and weddings are scheduled for England and Wales tomorrow.

I applaud it.

But surely a more apt thread title would be "Homosexual marriage" or somesuch... It does, as Von says, look like it might be a trolling thread.

[VonDondu]

Does it matter why a troll trolls? Does it affect the daily workings of the lives of any of the people on this forum? Many have done that before and many will continue to do so.

CM, sometimes people who ask such questions have a hidden agenda. The reason why it matters is because such people can actually manipulate other people. It has been proven many times over. If you don't care, that's your choice. But don't try to deny the consequences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgi It does, as Von says, look like it might be a trolling thread.

G.N.H.S.04's post looks so "canned" to me, I wouldn't be surprised if it was written by a web bot. Have you ever heard of "astroturf"? It's the nickname given to fake grassroots campaigns in which a political action committee plants a scripted message in a bunch of letters to the editor across the country. It's not personal opinion; it's a carefully controlled political message with a specific political purpose, and it is very dishonest.

[Georgi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonDondu Have you ever heard of "astroturf"?

Erm, I used to play hockey on it at school...?

Quote:

It's the nickname given to fake grassroots campaigns in which a political action committee plants a scripted message in a bunch of letters to the editor across the country. It's not personal opinion; it's a carefully controlled political message with a specific political purpose, and it is very dishonest.

Right, but GNSH04 hasn't expressed an opinion, and sparking debate isn't a crime... and SYM is full of tree-hugging liberals anyway.

[VonDondu]

As Dottie might say, it is darn easy to find the source of the sentence that precedes the question with a modicum of reaserch. It is quoted from another website, Religious Tolerance.org, which is maintained by a group (or individual) that calls itself Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. The fact that someone quoted a passage from that website has implications, but I'm not sure what they are.

We still don't know who G.N.H.S.04 is. Maybe he or she is sympathetic to the idea of same-sex marriage, or maybe he or she is a reactionary who finds it threatening. But do you still believe it's not a loaded question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgi but GNSH04 hasn't expressed an opinion, and sparking debate isn't a crime...

Obviously, I haven't gotten my point across. Honest debate is one thing, and I'm all for it. But spreading a loaded "question" on a bunch of message boards without any intention of joining the "debate" it sparks for the purpose of arousing liberals and/or reactionaries to manipulate them emotionally is something completely different. It's distantly related to the practice of joining message boards just to post a deceptive link to a Bulgarian escort service, and morally equivalent.

[dragon wench]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonDondu This reminds me of "newsletters" that are put on people's windshields in church parking lots by conservative political activists. What exactly is the purpose of the question posted by the person who started this message thread? Research? Energizing a political base? Trolling? What do YOU think?

I concur. I am wondering if this might have something to do with the upcoming Canadian election, given the source of the 'message' and the fact that the recently passed legislation allowing for same sex marriage is something of an election issue.

I also find it peculiar that G.N.H.S.04's one and only post here thus far is in SYM rather than one of the gaming forums, and that it is an extremely neutrally-worded question on a very controversial topic.


This link to recent news stories provides more information with regard to the Canadian election angle.
http://news.google.com/news?q=Stephe...ab=nn&oi=newsr

[Coot]

Wewll, to support VD's theory, G.N.H.S.04 has not replied yet. If it was me puting my first post here, at least I'd say 'hi' first. Also, there's no additional info at all in his/hers/it's public profile.