The same-sex marriage referendum debate

[imtommygunn]

No I wouldn't be in favour of recriminalising homosexuality,but I am vehemently opposed to the normalisation of homosexuality and the debasement of the holy sacrament of marriage.

So just outcast gay people but don't prosecute them?

[gallsman]

Gawd, homophobes seem to hate being called homophobes even more than free staters hate being called free staters!

Just to be clear, who are you calling homophobe here?

You will find that most play the homophobic card when anyone doesn't openly embrace all things gay, it truly is quite pathetic really.  I bet most defending homosexuality to the max would have a wobble or two if their son / daughter told them they were gay.

Yes, that's it. People who criticise those who wish deny equality are the ones with the real issue here. 

An emoticon rolling the eyes does not distract from the fact that the gay rights campaigners here would wobble if their child told them they were gay.  It amazes me that a debate on issues concerning homosexuality always pan out the same way - those who say anything negative are homophobic, the rest are civil right campaigners fighting for the equality across society and shouldn't be questioned.

You base this on what? Do you personally know any gay people? Do any of the other, yes, homophobes on this forum?

So anyone who disagrees with any aspect of the gay agenda is homophobic in your eyes?

What in the name of christ is the "gay agenda"?

No, but anyone who can't explain their opposition to it without hiding behind, "it's abnormal" or "it's against my religion" etc (i.e. everyone in the no camp here), would seriously struggle to find another reason to explain their thoughts on the matter.

Tony, you have repeatedly been told that this has nothing to do with the church and the "holy sacrament of marriage". Francis and all those paedo priests and administrators you love to defend aren't the only ones who get to define marriage. Thankfully.

[screenexile]

No I wouldn't be in favour of recriminalising homosexuality,but I am vehemently opposed to the normalisation of homosexuality and the debasement of the holy sacrament of marriage.

The 'normalisation of homosexuality'? What exactly does that mean. As a society we should look down on homosexuals and tell them they are not normal?

Also you're getting confused there about what the referendum is about. It has nothing to do with the sacrament of marriage that is a Catholic thing while we are talking about legal marriage. The legalising of same sex marriage has pretty much zero to do with the Church!!

[heganboy]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

"All of the incentives, all of the benefits that marriage affords would still be available, so you're not taking away anything from heterosexual couples. They would have the very same incentive to marry, all the benefits that come with marriage that they do now."

[T Fearon]

Civil marriages are conceptual replications of the divine sacrament of marriage.Gay marriage is not normal,not necessary

[heganboy]

Civil marriages are conceptual replications of the divine sacrament of marriage.Gay marriage is not normal,not necessary

Finally Tony, glad to hear civil gay marriage is fine, pretty sure that's what the thread is about. No one is asking a church to change their policy and you get to keep your divine sacrament. Delighted to hear it. Thanks Tony

[J70]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

"All of the incentives, all of the benefits that marriage affords would still be available, so you're not taking away anything from heterosexual couples. They would have the very same incentive to marry, all the benefits that come with marriage that they do now."

In fact they'll be gaining the right to gay marry too!

Win, win for everyone!

[muppet]

Civil marriages are conceptual replications of the divine sacrament of marriage.Gay marriage is not normal,not necessary

How do you know it is not necessary?

Have you tried it?

[T Fearon]

Well we've lived for aeons without it.So why is it necessary now?

[annapr]

Fearon what would you do if you had a son or daughter who came to you and told you they were Gay?

[imtommygunn]

We lived for aeons without many things in this world. Women couldn't vote - ah sure we lived with it. Black people had no rights - ah sure we lived with it. The list goes on. Also maybe you should be reminded about the lack of rights catholic people had for a long time in NI. Ah but sure we lived for aeons with it.

[johnneycool]

Civil marriages are conceptual replications of the divine sacrament of marriage.Gay marriage is not normal,not necessary

I think the vow of celibacy taken by grown men in order to serve their god isn't normal or necessary, surely you of all people will be in agreement?

[Oraisteach]

Tony, by referring to the divine sacrament of marriage, you are defining marriage in very narrow terms, i.e marriage within the Catholic Church, and by saying that other unions that take place outside the divine sacrament are mere conceptual replications, you are showing that your disagreement is not just with same-sex marriage but with any marriage not blessed by the Catholic Church.  So, do you object to Protestant, Jewish or atheist marriages and consider them sham imitations and not really marriages at all?

  And by the way, earlier when you were talking about abnormal marriages, despite your protestations to the contrary, you were definitely placing same-sex marriage on a par with marrying a dog, which in my view is equating same-sex marriage with bestiality, a view held by many in the NO camp such as famed US neurosurgeon and crackpot Ben Carson (sorry, Armaghniac, despite his intellect, I do think he's unhinged)

[T Fearon]

I think that any marriage not occurring in church and therefore God's endorsement is absent is invalid,in the eyes of God.Once again my objection on religious and moral grounds is the normalisation of gay relationships,to the point that they should be accepted as the norm.

[Eamonnca1]

Gawd, homophobes seem to hate being called homophobes even more than free staters hate being called free staters!

Just to be clear, who are you calling homophobe here?

The No campaign and its supporters.