I have a question

[kisc]

Warning: there is some NSFW language herein, and some of it is spoken by me. In addition, there is an actual Gay Man, and I love him like my other brother. And we talk like brothers. It ... isn't always pretty. Those of you who are not regularly a part of the discussions held by the community formed around MasterNinja.com may want to bypass this

Comments

[ruthanolis]

I've been thinking about this myself lately so here's my worthless couple of Australian cents [about one and a half US cents ... >_<].

The Proclamation on the Family: "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God."
That pretty much has the Church's stance set right there. But what I could never understand, until you made me think about it some more today, was why?
Simple really, nothing deep and hidden behind closed doors:
The Church considers Marriage a special priviledge, a gift from God, Sacred - not a generic right. Therefore, Marriage is for those "Doing the right things", just like Temple Recommends, Priesthood authority/power, etc. To become married, you are required to be doing at least "some" things right.

{{{ Hah!, I just checked my email and saw your comment to my earlier post to check this out! Yay for permission! =P }}}

Anywa, up until now, I've been sitting in a similar, if opposite boat to you. I have no problems with people being gay in general [being ghey is a different matter]. In fact, as long as they respect my decision to be Not Gay™, then I literally have no problem with them.
It may be a sin to be homosexual, but until I'm perfect [LAWL], I really can't judge anyone on anything [except maybe mass murder, and even then I'd rather reserve my judgement].
I've always thought that gay marriage should be allowed, but after going through this in my head today I realise where I was wrong. I was thinking of marriage in a different way to the Chuirch.

I can totally understand why homosexuals of both persuasions wish to feel included in society in this way, and only ask for similar rights to those heterosexuals receive already. I am for that. Equality regardless of decisions that don't endanger others is what we need.

But with my new [and possibly incorrect] understanding, I have to be against gay marriage [and I'll hold to it until someone can convince me otherwise both intellectually and spiritually].
Civil unions I can't say either way, perhaps even de facto/common law/whatever it's called over there laws need to be adjusted to where marriage isn't an issue anymore.

I don't know if that helps you at all. It's still somewhat confusing to me. [Especially as to how I would debate the issue!]

[kisc]

This is actually the best thing I've ever heard a fellow Mormon say about why marriage is such a big deal.

This, I shall memory.