Why is it that if you don't agree with gay marriage you are called a "hater"?

I have found that it is ok to voice one's opinion, as long as it is in agreement with those agree. If one opposes the opinion, then they will do what is called an Ad Hominem attack to de-characterize the person. The reason that they do this is because they cannot defeat the argument, so they attack the individual. This is why churches are being labeled "haters", because there is no denying God's Word, nor can it be challenged, so destroying the validity of it is the only way to move past it. By labeling a group of people who trust in God's Word as "haters" they can deter others from trusting in it and the battle is won. It is pretty simple really. The only question that still remains is, "is God's Word truth and all men liars?" Regardless of what men say, do, or proclaim, there is a truth that exists.

You are right, we are all entitled to our opinions. Where the controversy comes is with stating those opinions. There are some right-wing conservative so-called Christian churches who are very hateful towards homosexuals. Those that harass people at funerals, etc. The teachings of some churches lead to harassment of gay people and even to murder. Some young people are led to suicide because they are made to feel unworthy due to so-called Christian teachings. These ARE hateful things. Perhaps you personally don't espouse the kinds of things I'm talking about here, but unfortunately there are those who say they speak for Christians who do. It seems as if you are in some ways saying that gay people shouldn't be allowed to marry the person they love. On the other hand you seem also to say that as long as a church is not forced to marry two people of the same sex then it is alright. I guess your main concern is that you not be called a "hater". I guess what you've got to do is to be careful how you express your objections to same sex marriage.

By the way, in Canada we've had the right to marry whom we wish for quite some time. It doesn't seem as if traditional marriage has suffered. In fact, I think you'd find that the number of people seeking marriage has possibly increased since gays and lesbians are not seeking marriage.

Good luck.

You have your right to your religious opinions. You dont have the right to legislate your religion, especially in a country based on freedom of religion, is supposed to have separation between church and state, and represents thousands of different religions or denominations, some of which DO support same sex marriage.

NO ONE wants to effect religion. Your church will NEVER be forced to perform a same sex marriage, or allow a same sex couple to attend. What can happen is that if a church is operating a for profit business, it can be forced to abide by non discrimination laws. That means that if your church owns the local craft store, you cant fire employees for being gay. If your church owns the chicken fast food chain, it can use the profits to lobby against gay marriage all it wants, but it cannot discriminate against gay customers or employees. If your church owns rental property on the open market, you cannot discriminate against gay tenants. But again, this only becomes relevant when the church transforms from being a private place of worship, to a business entity following the same laws as everyone else.

If you dont want to be hated on, state your opinion more clearly.... I would say something like... I personally believe marriage is heterosexual, but people should have equality under the law. That way, you are expressing both your opinion about homosexuality, AS WELL AS your tolerance for people who share different beliefs. The common assumption right now is that if all you say is you dont agree with gay marriage that means that you do not believe gay people should have legal equality, and that you should have the right to discriminate against them. Think about it. Why would you say people should be second class citizens and you should be able to legally discriminate against them if you dont hate them? I hate everyone I say that about, primarily murderers and rapists. I do believe they should be legally discriminated against the law, and I can run through a variety of reasons that do not invoke religion or tradition.

Using your religion to tell other people how to live their lives seems hateful and ignorant to me, Sexual orientation is NOT a choice, it's a trait like eye color that can't be changed, if there is a god he made people gay, I'm agnostic, so I don't believe in a God, and unlike you most people that "don't agree" with gay people getting married do actively try to stop it, which denying people rights is hateful, not to mention marriage has been around longer than most religions, and it has had more definitions throughout history than "between a man and a woman" You can have your opinion that gay people shouldn't get married, and I can have my opinion that you're a hateful bigot, see how that works? We can both have our opinions, get over it.

The reasons why people are against same-sex marriage tend to be very negative and derogatory towards gay people. It's usually the case that if someone is against same-sex marriage, they tend to hold negative views towards homosexuality.

You have every right to state your opinion, but know that your words have consequences. There are a lot of vulnerable people - especially young people - who are listening. How would you feel if you are told every single day that you don't deserve equality, that you are wrong in the eyes of God, and that you will destroy society because of who you are? I know and have come across too many gay people who want to, or have committed suicide, and dealing with self-harm and depression, simply because of the negativity that is spread about their sexuality.

So you do have a right to state your opinion, but you've got to take responsibility for what you say. Personally, I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt if someone killed themselves because of what I said.

I don't think they're sinning. The bible basically says everything other than worship is a sin. Everything. From eating ham, to shaving, to women speaking in church.

I don't see how someone can be against it when they sin as well. All sins are equal.

I guess it's just that there is no reason to not accept gay people for who they are.

I see churches that don't accept openly gay people for who they are as hypocrites because for 1, I know everyone at that church (not your church specifically but all churches like that) eat ham, shave, and so on. And also, if you're not accepting gay people, you're breaking one of the most important of the 10 commandments and that's to love thy neighbor as you love yourself.

But that doesn't mean you're necessarily hateful.

Hypocritical? Maybe a little. But not hateful.

It's because:

1. People initially came to the US for freedom of religion.

2. Separation of church and state means that religion should have no bearing on the laws of marriage.

3. People see this is as more of a freedom. Like, Women's rights. Or African American rights. So now it's Gay rights.

4. Technically, most religions see women as the one who should take care of the household, be completely obedient to their husbands, so if you completely go by religion, you shouldn't be able to work, and can't argue with men. But women (obviously) do.

5. It's a delicate topic.

There is a difference between not agreeing with it but saying people should be allowed to (like you said on here), and not agreeing and actively opposing. I may not agree with your opinion that marriage is between a man and a woman only, but at least we agree that both of us should be allowed to marry if we choose. So indeed, you are not hating, and I respect you for that.

I don't respect people who actively oppose us from gaining equal rights, however, especially not when they use the flimsiest of excuses or arguments. That is hate, simple as that.

it's ok to voice your opinion but how would you feel if a group of people said you're not right for your beliefs or sexuality or who you are

Sorry, but I doubt you're gonna convince anyone that religious sanctioned bigotry comes from a place of love. And those that think religion never influences policy apparently hasn't lived in the US very long. Plus, telling someone that an inborn trait makes them a sinner seems pretty damn mean to me.

But state your opinion all you like, as obviously you do realize the difference between civil and religious marriage. You are entitled to your beliefs and I wish you well of them. Promise to keep your religion in your church where it belongs and out of my secular laws, and I promise not to take slutty girls to your church and make out when them during the service. Then we'll both be happy.