Is God in the Bedroom?

[Kellanved]

Many Europeans see gay marriage as a basic human right. A majority of Americans say it violates God's will. What accounts for this deep divide? Can it ever be reconciled?

When I got married my 15 year old cousin was thrilled. She'd already been to three weddings, she said, but mine would be her first straight one. Her response, admittedly, was extreme, but Berkeley, California where she grew up has always been a tad loopier than the rest of the world. For many Europeans, America is also becoming such an anomaly -- but for opposite reasons.

While much of Western Europe is embracing homosexual unions or even marriage in some cases, the majority of Americans stolidly reject them. That became clear in last week's election, when all 11 states with ballot initiatives on same sex marriages voted them down. Eight states voted to cut the rights of people -- gay or straight -- who are in civil unions and domestic partnerships. At risk, voters insist, are core American values: the role of family, the education of children, even the choice to live a sinful or moral life.

In much of Northern Europe and even parts of Southern Europe, such mixing of the political with the deeply personal would be unthinkable for many. This cultural stiffness (remember in Europe it often takes people who work together years to call each other by their first names) also influences the reasoning behind Europe's arguments in defense of homosexual marriage.
...
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,327229,00.html

[Poor Richard Lex]

1. my wife swore she saw him just last night

ba-dum dum

[BlueEyedSon]

4. "You were thinking about Him again, weren't you???"

:)

[jody]

2. Is God in the Bedroom? Yes SHE is and having a wonderful time n/t

[liberDave]

3. God is in my bedroom.....

at least my wife says so! Oh God...Oh God! or something like that. I'm not sure...because I am saying Oh God....Oh God to myself. Acceptance of Homosexual Marriage in this country for the foreseeable future is a loser issue. We must accept it and move on.

[UL_Approved]

5. This is not about "morality" or "God's will"

This has been said over and over in most parts of the world. These "Christian" values are not based on any supposed moral law. This is about control. A select group of people want to make this an issue to have a new scapegoat and blackmail tool. More than that, this is a precursor to more restriction of civil rights. Europe is moving ahead in social terms while the U.S. moves backwards.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Any more details on this?

"Eight states voted to cut the rights of people -- gay or straight -- who are in civil unions and domestic partnerships"

I'd heard about the votes to ban gay marriage in states, but nothing about existing rights being cut. Can anyone expand on this?

[Sugarbleus]

7. My exact question also...was just about to post on that issue...

Is this true?

[SharonAnn]

8. Yes, many of the state ballots didn't just deny gay marriage,

they denied civil unions, partners benefits, inheritance, etc.

The media just never talked about it. I guess it was too boring to actually talk about the details. Heavens, someone might actually know what they were voting for or against.

Anyway, Ohio was one that voted against civil unions, etc. in the ballot against "gay marriages".

Added: Of course, high-tech companies were against these even being on the ballot. It's going to cause lots of recruiting problems when some of the best talent won't come to your state becuase you've legislated against gays in so many ways.

[norml]

9. The "Conservative" Sermon On The Mount... please steal and use

Blessed are the rich for all good things trickle down from them. Cursed are the poor for poverty results from their moral failings. Blessed are the war makers for they keep freedom on the march. Cursed are the peacemakers for they shall be called appeasers. Blessed are those who inflict harsh punishments for they maintain law and order. Cursed are those who forgive for they shall be called soft on crime. Blessed are those who pray loudly standing in the churches and on the corners sounding the trumpet before them. Cursed are those who shut the closet door and pray in secret for their prayers are not heard. Blessed are those who cast the first stone for the sake of sexual morality for that is the only morality that matters. Cursed are those who see sexuality as a private matter for marriage must be defended against them.