Suit seeks OK of gay "marriage"

[Messenger]

washtimes.com/metro/20050830-103028-5815r.htm

Suit seeks OK for gay 'marriage'

By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 31, 2005

BALTIMORE -- The battle over homosexual "marriage" was waged in a Maryland courtroom yesterday when oral arguments were presented in a lawsuit seeking to nullify century-old marriage statutes and force the state to recognize same-sex unions.
Assistant Attorney General Robert A. Zarnoch said state law defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman codifies the "essence of marriage" and does not deprive any resident of basic rights afforded by the Maryland Constitution.
He also urged Baltimore Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock not be an activist judge in the mold of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, which legalized same-sex "marriage" in that state in 2003 and spurred the ongoing national debate.
"At issue here is the authority of the legislature to address issues of same-sex partners," Mr. Zarnoch said. "This is not something the court can do by itself. The legislature must be involved in this process."
An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the lawsuit on behalf of nine homosexual couples denied licenses in Maryland, said overturning discriminatory laws was not activism.
"We are not asking the bench to be activist, but to do its duty to uphold the state constitution," said ACLU attorney Kenneth Y. Choe.
Judge Murdock has indicated that her ruling could come within a month.
However, the case likely is destined for a higher court regardless of Judge Murdock's ruling.
Mr. Choe said denying homosexuals the right to marry violates the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
He said that unlike married heterosexual couples, homosexual couples are unable to visit each other in the hospital, share health insurance or inherit property as a matter of right.
Mr. Zarnoch and Assistant Attorney General Steven M. Sullivan argued that marriage is not a fundamental right but a privilege. They said current law does not discriminate based on sex because both men and women are unable to enter same-sex "marriages."
After the hearing, the debate spilled onto the streets outside the courthouse, where homosexual activists staged a rally. Some hoisted placards with slogans such as: "Civil marriage is a civil right" and "My gay son deserves the right to marry."
"I want my kids to have a family setting the way it should be," said Takia Foskey, 31, who is raising her 7-year-old son with partner Jo Rabb, 39. They were denied a marriage license in Baltimore.
Prince George's County resident Nigel Simon, 36, said he wanted to get married to protect the three foster children he adopted with partner Alvin Williams, 50.
"The law doesn't recognize us as a couple or a family," Mr. Simon said.
Across the street, a half-dozen people opposed to same-sex "marriage" steered clear of the rally.
Rick Bowers, chairman of the group Defend Maryland Marriage, said he hoped the judge would resist the temptation to rewrite state law.
"To handle it in the courtroom is to shut out the public and short-circuit the legislative process," he said.

Look at these statements:

"I want my kids to have a family setting the way it should be," said Takia Foskey, 31, who is raising her 7-year-old son with partner Jo Rabb, 39. They were denied a marriage license in Baltimore.
.

The Way a family Should Be is with a FATHER & MOTHER!

Prince George's County resident Nigel Simon, 36, said he wanted to get married to protect the three foster children he adopted with partner Alvin Williams, 50.

Protect them from WHAT? A NORMAL LIFESTYLE?

"The law doesn't recognize us as a couple or a family," Mr. Simon said

No-GOD'S WORD-THE BIBLE-doesn't recognize you as a family!

Bill

[Philly Morgana]

If two people are in love they should be alowed to get married, love is rare these days and one people find it why should ANYONE stand in there way.

[Betty]

I really do not think that 2 people of the same sex can truly love each other the way God meant for marriage to be. There are many different kinds of love. But God's idea of marriage is one man and one woman.

[Andy]

The bible says it is wrong, therefore it is wrong. The bible is Anti-Gay, therefore I am Anti-Gay!

Andy

[Messenger]

philly said:

If two people are in love they should be alowed to get married, love is rare these days and one people find it why should ANYONE stand in there way.

What kind of love are we really talking about her, philly?

There is only one kind of human love, that is talked about in the Bible, & that is between a man & a woman.

There is no place, where "love" between 2 people of the same sex is talked about, except as being an afront to God.

Bill .

[Messenger]

andy said:

The bible says it is wrong, therefore it is wrong. The bible is Anti-Gay, therefore I am Anti-Gay!

Andy

Not to disagree with you here, Andy, but the Bible is NOT total anti gay. It is anti-gay LIFESTYLE-not anti gay people!

We are commanded to love our enimies. The Bible's teaching is "hate the sin, but love the sinner"

Bill

[Andy]

You talking to the converted here.

By Gay I do not mean the person, otherwise I would have said 'Gay person'

Gay is a sin, the bible is Anti Sin, therefore anti Gay, like its Anti Abortion, anti Murder etc

[namesdan]

Now... here is my stance on the issue, and many Christians dont have this stance, so dont be offended.
I believe if they want to be married, let them. For two reasons: 1. Gods law is for Gods people, we cannot force Gods law on people who are unspiritual and recognise Gods law. (1 Corinthians 2:13-15) 2. God gives everyone the choice on whether to follow Him or not, to follow His laws or not, to grow in love and righteousness or not, therefore that choice is open to homosexual people as well. (Joshua 24:15, John 3:16, Romans 1:16, ect.)
I have a very liberal stance on homosexual actions if they do not know the love of Christ, i am pretty stern if someone proclaims to know Jesus and still is an active homosexual. That is a blatant disregard for Gods statutes and laws.

[Andy]

I was hit on today at work by a gay guy. This is the third time now. I say as he leaves 'Cya Later' and he replies 'I wish' and winks.

Gross!

Andy

[Philly Morgana]

Right Calling it gross is a lil over the top now. just explain to him your straight.

Its not exactly hard and after that most of the don't bother you. the ones that do are the idiots.

And hay your speaking to a no religion.wicca here. to me love is a bond that can be as strong between a man and a woman and a man and man. would you rather force a man who loves say another man to marry a woman. were he will never be total happy and she will pick up on it?

If they are christian and going on about being gay say your worst about them... other religions do. but no many other religions stand at gay pride with big posted saying gay is wrong.

If you understand what i'm saying is. if a gay person comes onto this board right now and says i want to be a christian and i want to follow gods law... then gay is THEN sin to him... not to his gay best mate who is of no religion.

Don't flame me for this post cause it is simplely fact. Other people belive there relgion is the true path or that no religion is the path. that means the laws of a religion that is not there do not apply to them at all.

And as i said... love is so rare these days... i'm quite happy in january to be attending the marrage of 2 woman who have been waiting for this chance for years. This world is becoming more and more corrupted by each going day... love between amily's some times lasts a whole 30 seconds. Hey i'm sitting in a room with my single mother folding towels next door now my self.

I have ranted on wwco that i love life. i have many reason and people don't seem to understand why i love this earth so. this earth isn't corrupted it is us that have spiraled into thinking we are the greatest and other people mean absolutely nothing so its ok to pretend to love then drop for money... this isn't this earth fault.
Love to me is still hear... as much as i love green grass to a rainbow in the sky after a magnificant storm.
allthought i doubt at this moment the people who are dying and starving in new orleans would agrees with me.

Anyhow rant over.. sorry for the lengthy post and i apologise if it made little sence. it's hard to portray how one feels when they love love and this earth its self to a degree were i can't wait untill it can get its self back on track once again. with or without humans. my life is not even a blink in the earth life.

[Andy]

hey im not stopping you believeing whatever you want.

Im speaking from what I believe, and what I believe God has told me to believe.

I cannot stop someone from being Gay, only they can choose that, like I cannot make someone a Christian, they have to accept God themselves.

Andy

[Betty]

Philly you stated that:
"if a gay person comes onto this board right now and says i want to be a christian and i want to follow gods law... then gay is THEN sin to him... not to his gay best mate who is of no religion."
yes sin is sin for each and every ones of us saved or not. If a person is a Christian then they have been convicted of that sin in their heart and know they need a savior. We do not condem a person. We condem an act of sin. I would love nothing more than to see all of my friends saved and to be with them in eternity. That is why we do say so much about sin. However for me no one sin is any worse than any other. We as a whole, will speak out againt the sin that is making the most headlines at the moment. When a law is passed then it effects each one of us.
You said that you love this earth. So do I. I have a lot of native american blood in me. However, this earth is not my home. My home is with God. This earth will pass away. It will come to an end but eternity is forever. I know that I will be with God in eternity and that means more to me than anything.
Our life here is very short. I want to take as many people to heaven with me as I can before I go.

[Andy]

admin said:

Philly you stated that:
"if a gay person comes onto this board right now and says i want to be a christian and i want to follow gods law... then gay is THEN sin to him... not to his gay best mate who is of no religion."
yes sin is sin for each and every ones of us saved or not. If a person is a Christian then they have been convicted of that sin in their heart and know they need a savior. We do not condem a person. We condem an act of sin. I would love nothing more than to see all of my friends saved and to be with them in eternity. That is why we do say so much about sin. However for me no one sin is any worse than any other. We as a whole, will speak out againt the sin that is making the most headlines at the moment. When a law is passed then it effects each one of us.
You said that you love this earth. So do I. I have a lot of native american blood in me. However, this earth is not my home. My home is with God. This earth will pass away. It will come to an end but eternity is forever. I know that I will be with God in eternity and that means more to me than anything.
Our life here is very short. I want to take as many people to heaven with me as I can before I go.

AMEN!

[Bill]

namesdan said:

Now... here is my stance on the issue, and many Christians dont have this stance, so dont be offended.
I believe if they want to be married, let them. For two reasons: 1. Gods law is for Gods people, we cannot force Gods law on people who are unspiritual and recognise Gods law. (1 Corinthians 2:13-15) 2. God gives everyone the choice on whether to follow Him or not, to follow His laws or not, to grow in love and righteousness or not, therefore that choice is open to homosexual people as well. (Joshua 24:15, John 3:16, Romans 1:16, ect.)
I have a very liberal stance on homosexual actions if they do not know the love of Christ, i am pretty stern if someone proclaims to know Jesus and still is an active homosexual. That is a blatant disregard for Gods statutes and laws.

Look at what you just said here:

2. God gives everyone the choice on whether to follow Him or not, to follow His laws or not, to grow in love and righteousness or not, therefore that choice is open to homosexual people as well. (Joshua 24:15, John 3:16, Romans 1:16, ect.)

Yes God DOES give everyone a choice here, BUT-that still doesn't change the TRUTH of God's word

We can say what we like about about homosexuality, but in God's eyes-it's still sin!

When it comes right down to this issue, I have to stand with PETER, when he said before the Jewish leaders-"We must obey God rather than men."

For the BORN AGAIN Believer, there is no other choice. Even Jesus Himself said, "Any who is not for me, is against me.

There is no middle ground.

I choose Jesus.

Bill

[Philly Morgana]

admin said:

Philly you stated that:
"if a gay person comes onto this board right now and says i want to be a christian and i want to follow gods law... then gay is THEN sin to him... not to his gay best mate who is of no religion."
yes sin is sin for each and every ones of us saved or not. If a person is a Christian then they have been convicted of that sin in their heart and know they need a savior. We do not condem a person. We condem an act of sin. I would love nothing more than to see all of my friends saved and to be with them in eternity. That is why we do say so much about sin. However for me no one sin is any worse than any other. We as a whole, will speak out againt the sin that is making the most headlines at the moment. When a law is passed then it effects each one of us.
You said that you love this earth. So do I. I have a lot of native american blood in me. However, this earth is not my home. My home is with God. This earth will pass away. It will come to an end but eternity is forever. I know that I will be with God in eternity and that means more to me than anything.
Our life here is very short. I want to take as many people to heaven with me as I can before I go.

I wasn't refering to you mainly by the way. if more people took that veiw then less people would be injured or driven to suicide because people will not alow them to live there life

andy said:

The bible says it is wrong, therefore it is wrong. The bible is Anti-Gay, therefore I am Anti-Gay!

Is a little bit harsh in my opinion.

My blood is mainly welsh which hold great ties with the earth and my past relatives.

To me this earth is not my home... this earth is alowing us to be here.

If in gods eyes its sin then let him and only him judge the people on the street... the people who on the street stand there and shout at me calling me child of satan and d**ned heathen don't bother me in th least but that hurts some people... there basis for this ranting is completly flawed as well..... very good example was when they were shouting it at my christian friend who broke down in tears from it.

If non christian people wish to get married in a registry office then it does not concern people who believe it to be sin.

[Messenger]

I would HOPE that this is true for all Believers:

WE do not judge Gays-God Does!

The Bible Does!

What is the responsibility of ALL Believers is to love the gay population, & let the Holy Spirit use us to show the gay population that what they are doing is sinfull, & to show them that there is a way of escape from that sin!

It must be done in the love of the Holy Spirit above all!

Bill

[Andy]

Love the sinner, Hate the sin!

[Bill]

I'm just thrilled to see all the responses here!

I never dreamed that this would draw such a response-not just here, but at all the other boards I have posted this at!

Bill

[dorey]

omg this is dumb.. my best friend is gay and he's always being told that its wrong but have you guys ever thought of thinking outside the bible for once..? like sometimes you can't help being gay or bi. plus not everyone is totally straight because maybe at least once in your life you've thought about some guy/girl that you know you really shouldnt be thinking about.
another point you can't always go by the bible because you would lead this boring life! sometimes rules are ment to be broken.
and i think to see a gay marrige would be so hott! lol

[memyselfni]

God can help you with anything.
The Bible is God's word, so if you don't want to just go off of the Bible i would suggest asking God.
God said that he will not allow anything that is too hard for us to stand up against to come against us. If you are standing with God I believe he will help you. His perfect plan is not a man and man; he made women because man was not ok by his self. Women and men think different and we pair up together and that way we have both sides of thinking.
Life w/ God isn't boring. God provides lots of excitement for those who do what he tells them, and follow his path.
Only wrong rules are meant to be broken. Since God knows everything I think that our ideas probably mean nothing pretty much. He knows the outcome of these marriages...and I know that he knows which would be better for us. So for me, I believe that what ever God says is best. And what God says, is what I am going with...
That is me
~*~**Kristy**~*~