When it comes to religion I suppose there are many things that we find abhorrent about other faiths. I don't think the African habit of circumcising girls is acceptable, but then I don't particularly think the circumcising of boys in Britain is either. I don't hold with arranged marriage to any great degree, I accept it happens, but as long as there is no law against it then it's something I have to accept. (Just to clarify, that's arranged, not forced)

Something I do have an issue with in relation to our own domestic Church, is the rights of women to reach positions of authority, in any other arena sexism of this kind would be smashed under the full weight of the law, but for some reason the Church sits unmolested.

Something I have an issue with with regards to LGBT communities is their seeming desire to push the envelope of marriage, not because they have faith, at least not in the way the OP does, but because the RIGHT to marriage is a (and pardon the pun) Holy Grail of equality for them. A case maybe of it being more about the getting than the having. And that kind of bloody mindedness comes at a price for people like the OP whom do hold those old fashioned/ outdated maybe, views. But they have a right to a quiet life too and they have the same rights as any other religious types, to be able to enjoy their religion without harassment by circus, which to me is what the Gay marriage issue is turning into.

Yes, I did many years ago when I used to be a regular churchgoer. Now I see the quote for what it really means, shame the OP can't which, at the end of the day is what this whole debate is about.

The question I would ask Kirkstaller is "what makes you think that your version of 'GOD' is the right one and all others who either believe in a different 'GOD' or none at all are following the wrong one"?

I can see how religion was once necessary to "control the uneducated masses" but these days it is more divisive than helpful. The principles of "love thy neighbour" are simply a good code to live by, rather than the edict of an omnipotent being. The fact that religion (and again who's to say which one is "right"icon_wink.gif is used to justify the horrific acts of violence commited by both "Christian nations" on Muslim ones and vica versa, should be reason alone for an end to such blind indoctrination.

Further, when the words of the Bible are used to persecute another human being for a predetermined sexual preference, it becomes nothing more than a "boys club" which is seeking to limit its membership.

Whilst I will always support your right to express your opinion, frankly I find the whole thing very distasteful.

This is my question – for example, a Muslim believes that theirs is the one and only ‘true’ religion and a Jew believes that theirs is the one and only ‘true’ religion. Both believe to their absolute core that they are right, at the very minimum one of them is wrong.

How does someone with an unshakeable belief KNOW that they are right when there are literally millions of other people with different beliefs who KNOW that they also right?

In more ways than one by not allowing women Bishops etc. So not only do they not allow two people who love each other to marry, they do not allow women to hold high ranking status within the church.

It seems to me that there is an awful lot of non tolerance that goes on in the Church, and quite frankly although not perfect myself, I like to think I am tolerant of others regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

I would be genuinly interested to hear the OP's explanation of why this is so.

Here's an idea, how about saying that religious same sex couples are sinfull and cannot marry, where as the rest (non believers) can be left alone as it doesnt apply in anyway to THEIR beliefs. Believe what you like but don't try force it upon the rest of us.

Because selected bits of a book written and re-written hundreds of years ago have been interpreted that way by some blokes.

Totally agree and I can't get over the OP's arrogance in what he says. All through my debate here and on sinbin I have stated that this is my opinion. Never at any point has the OP said this is only his and his religions opinion, he has stated it as fact. Opinions can't be wrong but as McF pointed out the debate stops when opinions are stated as facts.

That's simple, outdated views on women voters, black rights, slavery...the list goes on, are just that, outdated and fair minded people realise they are no longer acceptable. The bible however, by it's very origin and nature mean that the indoctrinated believers leave less wiggle room when it comes to judging others and their rights.

I dont know very much about biblical scriptures and I'mnot as articulate as some on here,but if this thing about gay marriages came up I would have been dead against it.Now having met gay people in the work place etc and came to feel ok in their company and although I'm not fully comfortable with the gay marriage thing I am not going to sign a petition to stop people who I have found good work colleagues and decent citisens from having same sex marriages

I cant see how gay marriage could make you uncomfortable. I dont see how it affects you.

Im not trying to say that as a criticism, i mean it honestly. I cant see how someone else making a lifelong commitment to anyone else affects you in anyway shape or form. Whether that be straight marriage, gay marriage or any other type of commitment.

after all marriage is just the word for that type of commitment, like vow, pact, promise, pinky swear are other words, for other type of commitment. How can a word which adequately and neutrally describes something make someone uncomfortable?

I said I am not the most articulate.I meant a dew years ago I would have been against it,times are changing and so are my views,and as for the bible did people really live to hundreds and hundreds of years old in those times?I said I Would not sign that petition which means I Am not against gay marriage

Too much of this form of debate coming from the OP, in my opinion.

You are Tracy Emin and I claim my £5.