[Shasown]

Originally Posted by calyman

You need to consider what the Church has condoned through the centuries, it's attitude not just to Gay people, but also women, slavery, it's involvement in genocide, it's Inquisitions, it's murdering those who'se scientific enquiry challenged the Church, it's selling of salvation for money. The Church has done all of that but mostly changed it's stance. Is it such a major step to do likewise with regard to Gay marriage?

A marriage is a union, a construct, a social or legal agreement. it does not exist in some rarified exalted place that only certain people who meet unnaceptable standards are entitled to. Marriage is and should be open to all.

No you dont need to consider what was done in the past in the name of religion, you need to consider how likely churches (because there are more than one) are to accept same sex marriages when they view same sex liaisons or even long term relationships as a state of sin.

Marriage is the blessing of a union, you cant expect a religious organisation to endorse what is to them a state of sin.

A lot of different churches still dont accept women as priests/ministers. Which do you think is more likely to occur in the future? Some churches are truly international, if churches have to accept same sex marriages in the Uk what about in countries where homosexuality is illegal?

If homosexuals were really that bothered about marriage they may be better advised to set up their own Christian Faith where anyone can marry anyone in their church.

That might sound like a homophobic comment but its not, its realistic, the number of civil partnership ceremonies is actually dropping on a year on year basis. The Catholic Church wont accept same sex marriages, well at least for the foreseeable future. Look at the problems the Church of England faced when introducing women ministers and bishops.