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The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the federal government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another.
Although early Christians experienced heavy persecution, by the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had significant religious and political power in Europe. To maintain its authority, the Church suppressed heretics. The Church had a very specific definition of heresy: A heretic publicly declared his beliefs (based upon what the Church considered inaccurate interpretations of the Bible) and refused to denounce them, even after being corrected by the authority. He also tried to teach his beliefs to other people. He had to be doing these things by his own free will, not under the influence of the devil.
The Spanish Inquisition was unique in that it was established by secular rulers, King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, with the approval of Pope Sixtus IV. The monarchy was Catholic, and it had just united two kingdoms, Aragon and Castile, as a single country in the late 15th century. Reasons for the Inquisition included a desire to create religious unity and weaken local political authorities and familial alliances. Money was another motive -- the government made a profit by confiscating the property of those found guilty of heresy. Historians speculate that the monarchy convinced Pope Sixtus IV to allow the inquisition by threatening to remove Spanish troops from Rome, where they were needed to prevent an attack by Turkey.
Originally posted by MathiasAndrew
reply to post by hoochymama
So, your argument is about the RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE for tax purposes and legal rights. Who made up the Tax Code and the Legal Rights?? The Bible or the Country you live in
Huh????
Only issue i have is with the terminology. The title, the label.
Marriage = man + woman
I'm not a religious person. However I do think that religion deserves some respect in certain aspects of society.
Marriage was developed through the church and was a religious ceremony.
If gays get married, then can I marry my dog? Can I marry my blow up doll? Can I marry my computer?
Seriously? That is the most b.s statement people who are anti-gay marriage use. Why would marrying another human be the same as marrying an animal or an inanimate object?? Homosexuals are humans just like heterosexuals so saying that marrying an animal or inanimate object is the same thing as a homosexual marrying another homosexual is absurd & extremely illogical.
If gays get married, then can I marry my dog? Can I marry my blow up doll? Can I marry my computer?
I'd like to point out that religion and the stuff churches push are religion are different. Churches and their dogmatic ways have been holding society back for almost as long as churches have existed. Churches said that the Earth was in the center of the Universe and wanted to keep it that way & ostracized Galileo, look at how right they were with that. How many wars & how many people have died in the name of Church/God??
However I do think that religion deserves some respect in certain aspects of society.
Originally posted by L00kingGlass
reply to post by lost artistic
Ok I promised myself not to get involved with these hot button topics, but I can't resist! (Please mod don't hurt me.)
But let me just say one last thing: I have a gay friend, and my sister is gay. I've had this conversation with them many times, and they don't seem to mind.
However after some thought, I decided that I'm wrong. They can do whatever they want, it doesn't affect me. Sometimes I find myself getting caught in the ways of social conservatives, and I strongly dislike their ways. It's very easy to get into that sort of mentality if we're not careful. It can make well meaning people turn into hypocritical controlling tyrants.
Marriage in general is not all it's cracked up to be. Straight people by percentage are probably worse at it these days. It's true. Sometimes I wonder if it's enough to just be loyal to that one person you care about and just try to live a good life. But again, just my opinion. I'm really starting to have doubts about alot of stuff the last few weeks.
My apologies if I had offended anyone.edit on 9-2-2012 by L00kingGlass because: (no reason given)
Only issue i have is with the terminology. The title, the label.
Marriage = man + woman
[snip]
If gays get married, then can I marry my dog? Can I marry my blow up doll? Can I marry my computer?
Originally posted by SteveR
Gays [...] are incapable of childraising that meets the developmental needs of children.
Originally posted by SteveR
reply to post by optimus primal
You are so far out of context you're in outer space. Blacks, asians and whites are equally capable of the same relationships.
Originally posted by Rren
Originally posted by SteveR
Gays [...] are incapable of childraising that meets the developmental needs of children.
Citation needed.
Why should homosexual couples not be allowed to call it a marriage?
Originally posted by SteveR
reply to post by optimus primal
You are so far out of context you're in outer space. Blacks, asians and whites are equally capable of the same relationships.
Originally posted by SteveR
they are incapable of childraising that meets the developmental needs of children.
Originally posted by staver
BTW, here's an interesting little tidbit to clog the gears of your brain:
www.christianity-revealed.com...
Originally posted by optimus primal
and yet for some reason you act like gays are a different species. or robots. incapable. right dude. right.
Originally posted by SteveR
Originally posted by optimus primal
and yet for some reason you act like gays are a different species. or robots. incapable. right dude. right.
Homosexuality and hetrosexuality are fundamentally different concepts. Therefore they are incapable of the same relationships. Do you deny homosexual relationships are any different?