Michie - You know what, in all this discussion, I forgot about the original priest who was being discussed - so, your point taken!
Warrior - I see your point about marriages only declared valid (or not) by Bishops, but that with same sex unions, its far more clear cut. However, I don't really agree that states only validate marriage for pro-creation purposes. I would think that historically of course that is one of the states main concerns - stability in families, etc. But I don't think its the "only" reason, certainly not in modern times, where I think most people acknowledge that often a marriage takes place for two people to promise life long unity an commitment (and if children result from that, great). I recognize thats not the Church's stance, but Im still thinking about state vs religious marriages, and that there can be two standards. I suppose the very original post was not about this, and Ive digressed. Its just a topic of great interest to me, given I have family and friends who are gay (in both the US and the UK) and who feel greatly impacted by the debate.
Warrior - I see your point about marriages only declared valid (or not) by Bishops, but that with same sex unions, its far more clear cut. However, I don't really agree that states only validate marriage for pro-creation purposes. I would think that historically of course that is one of the states main concerns - stability in families, etc. But I don't think its the "only" reason, certainly not in modern times, where I think most people acknowledge that often a marriage takes place for two people to promise life long unity an commitment (and if children result from that, great). I recognize thats not the Church's stance, but Im still thinking about state vs religious marriages, and that there can be two standards. I suppose the very original post was not about this, and Ive digressed. Its just a topic of great interest to me, given I have family and friends who are gay (in both the US and the UK) and who feel greatly impacted by the debate.
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