Australia Legalises Same Sex Marriage

Occams Barber

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On 7 December,following several days of debate, the Australian House of Representatives, in a near unanimous decision, has passed legislation legalizing Same Sex Marriage in Australia.


This decision was a follow on from a non-binding postal survey where all registered voters were asked to indicate a Yes or No opinion on Same Sex Marriage. 80% of voters responded to the voluntary survey with an overwhelming 62% of voters voting ‘Yes’.

The legislation contained basic protections for religious organisations, including religious charities, not wishing to participate in Same Sex Marriage. This cover does not extend to discrimination by non religious organisations.


This makes Australia the 25th country to adopt Marriage Equality.

OB
 

badatusernames

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On 7 December,following several days of debate, the Australian House of Representatives, in a near unanimous decision, has passed legislation legalizing Same Sex Marriage in Australia.


This decision was a follow on from a non-binding postal survey where all registered voters were asked to indicate a Yes or No opinion on Same Sex Marriage. 80% of voters responded to the voluntary survey with an overwhelming 62% of voters voting ‘Yes’.

The legislation contained basic protections for religious organisations, including religious charities, not wishing to participate in Same Sex Marriage. This cover does not extend to discrimination by non religious organisations.


This makes Australia the 25th country to adopt Marriage Equality.

OB

Yay for Australia! I was glad to hear the news. I am a Side-B Christian, but I still support marriage equality.
 
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Occams Barber

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Yay for Australia! I was glad to hear the news. I am a Side-B Christian, but I still support marriage equality.

I've heard of a lot of Christian denominations but I've never heard of a "Side-B".

Does it have something to do with vinyl records?
OB
 
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badatusernames

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I've heard of a lot of Christian denominations but I've never heard of a "Side-B".

Does it have something to do with vinyl records?
OB

Side B refers to the argument about homosexuality and the church right now. "Side A" Christians believe that LGB people should not only be fully accepted and welcomed into the church as they are, but also that same-sex relationships are not inherently sinful. "Side B" Christians like myself agree that while LGB people should be welcomed and accepted into the church as they are, they are called to celibacy as same-sex relationships are sinful. "Side X" Christians believe basically anything else: same-sex attraction is inherently sinful, it's demonic, "not real", mockery of love, intrinsically disordered, etc. They somehow believe that these people must repent of being gay or experiencing same-sex attraction.
 
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Occams Barber

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Side B refers to the argument about homosexuality and the church right now. "Side A" Christians believe that LGB people should not only be fully accepted and welcomed into the church as they are, but also that same-sex relationships are not inherently sinful. "Side B" Christians like myself agree that while LGB people should be welcomed and accepted into the church as they are, they are called to celibacy as same-sex relationships are sinful. "Side X" Christians believe basically anything else: same-sex attraction is inherently sinful, it's demonic, "not real", mockery of love, intrinsically disordered, etc. They somehow believe that these people must repent of being gay or experiencing same-sex attraction.

Thanks for the explanation.

Based on your definitions, wouldn't you be a Side A? Can you support same sex marriage if you believe it's 'inherently sinful'.
OB
 
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Zoii

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Many people here have strong opinions about this legislation. Most here will strongly condemn it. Similarly most here are categoric that homosexuality is an abomination.

My take on it is to, just for a moment, park your objections. Instead consider it not in terms of whether it is right or wrong, but rather whether laws passed in a country should discriminate against a particular ethnic, gender, religous or similar cohort.

Should a goverment be able to say:
  • You may drive a car unless youre female (in some countries that is how it is)
  • You may swim in a public swimming pool, only if you are caucasian (that has been the historical law in many countries)
  • You may marry - but caucasians may not marry non-caucasians (that has been the historical law in many countries)
  • You may marry who you wish - but not someone of the same gender - today in Australia it was recognized that our existing laws were similar to the previous three - that it was not law for all Australians but excluded some Australians.
I'd ask then to consider that this may not be about a provision for an abomination (in some eyes) but rather amendment of a law and made better provision for equality. If this law failed to be passed then what next....
Should we say: women may wear what they like within the bounds of decency - except some groups may not (this has already been tried with an aim of outlawing moslem head coverings). What would be next after that?

Despite the concerns I know many will have, today in Australia was a good day for us in terms of our provision in law for equality.
 
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mindlight

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On 7 December,following several days of debate, the Australian House of Representatives, in a near unanimous decision, has passed legislation legalizing Same Sex Marriage in Australia.


This decision was a follow on from a non-binding postal survey where all registered voters were asked to indicate a Yes or No opinion on Same Sex Marriage. 80% of voters responded to the voluntary survey with an overwhelming 62% of voters voting ‘Yes’.

The legislation contained basic protections for religious organisations, including religious charities, not wishing to participate in Same Sex Marriage. This cover does not extend to discrimination by non religious organisations.


This makes Australia the 25th country to adopt Marriage Equality.

OB

It is a sad thing that Australia now directly affirms sin and dysfunctional relationships in its legal code. I had no problem with civil contracts - which respected peoples choices without specifically endorsing them. In effect it undermines the rule of law by disconnecting the law from truth and justice.

"Marriage" "equality" has got nothing to do with the love of God for people. He does not call good evil and evil good even though he welcomes us from whatever sinful state we come from.
 
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