Are Those Opposed To Gay Marriage Bigots?
Nick Clegg has got into hot water over the draft of his speech saying those opposed to gay marriage are bigots.
I must admit, that the only people I’ve ever heard, who are against gay marriage, and there haven’t been many, have been opposed to homosexuality as well.
I get a lot of evangelicals knocking at my door trying to convert me and I asked one, what their views on gay people was. They were told politely to Foxtrot Oscar, after I heard their views.
The other thing that annoys them, is when I say my God is female. But it has the right effect and they move on.
The Anonymous Widower 
I am not opposed to homosexuality. I have many good friends who are gay. I am not opposed to civil partnerships either, I believe they are an important step forward in recognising that many gay people have long term committed relationships in just the same way as non-gay people. I dont know what I feel about gay marriage. This not knowing, however, is probably linked to many of the conversations I have had with gay friends; a lot of the ones I know are uncomfortable with the idea of marriage per se. However, I do think it would be wrong to try and force churches, mosques, synagogues etc to conduct such ceremonies.
Comment by Liz P | September 12, 2012 |
I don’t think that anybody is going to force any religious institution to conduct such ceremonies.
Comment by AnonW | September 12, 2012 |
Churches can now conduct civil ceremonies, and some are now doing that, mostly Unitarian churches. But when places of worship were told they could hold them, there was a lot of stuff around, particularly in Christian press, suggesting that gay couples may legally challenge churches which didn’t want wish to hold them. And sooner or later, I dont doubt a gay couple will decide their human rights are being infringed by a church which is unwilling to perform the ceremony.
Comment by Liz P | September 12, 2012 |
I must admit, that if you had to force a church to do anything controversial that you were in favour of, then you’d probably go to one that was more welcoming. Years ago a friend married a divorcee. In those days, they got married in a Register Office and then had a blessing in the church. The vicar felt that in many cases, that was a good option. I assume it still is.
Comment by AnonW | September 12, 2012 |
In the litigious society we live in today, sadly whilst logic would suggest gay couples would choose sympathetic churches, nowadays there are people (not just gay people) who choose to make a big scene by insisting they want to do something in a particular way and a particular place. Just so they can make a scene, get their five minutes of fame, and hopefully sue for megabucks. Not that I am cynical you understand . Regarding divorce, my own church will marry divorcees who are church members, not sure about other people, but suspect we marry all comers. C of E usually wont marry divorcees, despite re-married divorcees serving in ordained ministry of that church. A lot depends on the church I think.
Comment by Liz P | September 12, 2012 |
You are not cynical, Liz. I think that lawyers are constantly looking for innovative ways of earning money from organisations that have it. Look at personal injury and PPI cases for a start.
The real trouble is we have too many unemployed lawyers.
Comment by AnonW | September 12, 2012 |
I am inclined to agree, there are many lawyers who will take on silly cases just for the money. And people are encouraged to “to stand up for their rights” because they are “entitled” to compensation. After the accident which disabled me I chose not to make a claim, because although the elderly lady whose house `i was at had relevant insurance, it was to me morally wrong to sue an 87 year old aunt with early dementia whose daughters were both dead and whose grandson was causing her massive problems. There was more to it than that, but basically, it was something that happened, an unfortunate accident. But folk assume I must have sued and are amazed when I say `i haven’t.
Comment by Liz P | September 13, 2012 |