Christians, tell me: why should I be worried about changing the definition of the word "marriage"?

your question shows a complete and total lack of understanding of the basic functions of society, taxes, insurance and the medical community. I hardly know where to begin educating you.

Marriage is not a "right", it is a status. The status was created to protect families. The status has financial and economic consequences, burdens and benefits, pros and cons. It was created to protect the rights of two people who could and potentially would become parents and raise a family, which is ALSO a social and economic hardship, which has financial consequences. The American tax system, as well as insurance and medical systems are designed and setup to recognize and take advantage of the "Marital Status" of an individual or their partners and dependents. These economic factors, tax breaks and insurance benefits are NOT "rights" to which Homos are entitled.

Marriage as a religious institution is a binding agreement between a man and a woman, a ceremony which confers the "status" of marriage.... again, marriage is not a "right" the church grants.

Let me put it simply...I do NOT have the "right" to declare my family an International Corporation with offshore holdings (and thus tax exempt)... nor do I have the "right" to declare my family a "church" (and thus free from legal regulations)... nor do I have the right to declare my family a "licensed business" and thus get "group insurance rates for all employees" at a huge discount.... so homos do not have the "right" to declare their civil unions "marriages" in order to get these tax breaks, insurance benefits or other legal considerations reserved for couples with "marital status". They ONLY want to do so in order to STEAL tax breaks, insurance payments and medical discounts from the REAL couples these benefits were DESIGNED for.

The term "civil union" is a PERFECTLY fine checkbox on government forms, and it SHOULD be used so we dont HAVE to rewrite and redo HUGE volumes of Tax Law, Insurance Policies and Medical Forms to exclude "married (but gay)"couples. And you WILL continue to be excluded no matter WHAT label you lobby for and apply to your civil unions.

Marriage is and always has been a matter of civil law! Whilst churches are allowed to carry out the service it must be in complete compliance with that law and any deviation or omission would make the marriage null and void and probably involve criminal offenses!

HOMOPHOBIA: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. - - - - - - - - Please note this is a psychiatric definition!

Primitive religion has always lagged behind the improvement in moral attitudes and that is what these people are doing to Christianity – making it primitive!

There were people who opposed the abolition of slavery, emancipation for women, the banning of discrimination of women, the attempts to eradicate racism and now the need to eradicate homophobia!

Taking one sin to indulge in intolerance, hatred, bigotry, homophobia and persecution will never be acceptable in the eyes of God!

Anglican leaders from around the world have clearly stated their opposition to the "victimization or diminishment" of gays and lesbians, saying demonizing and persecuting them was "totally against Christian charity and basic principles of pastoral care".

"We say that no one should have to live in fear because of the bigotry of others."

The Mormons poured millions into forcing through prop 8 in CA: to ban gay marriage. In August 2010 the court held that to be unconstitutional. On 15 June 2011 the San Francisco court upheld that decision because it violates the constitutional rights of citizens. On 7 February 2012 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck the California law again finding that the California state constitution banning same-sex marriage violated principles of due process and equal protection under the law.

The court found that the ban violates equality laws to target a minority group and withdraw a right that it possessed, without a legitimate reason for doing so. Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California. The constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.

It is now awaiting the Supreme Court verdict which is expected to uphold the early court decision.

If that happens then gay marriage will become legal everywhere and that will be marriage and not civil partnership!

In the UK The intolerance, bigotry and homophobia from Christians resulted in it being classed as a hate crime with severe sentences. It has led to the government framing legislation which if enacted will replace "Civil Partnership" with full marriage. France, New Zealand, Spain and ten other countries have legalized gay marriage and others have commenced legislating to do so!

The loving god works in mysterious ways.

Marriage used to be an arrangement between families.

The state & church became involved to protect rights.

Many wives were abandoned, & children illegitimate.

The church declared marriage to be sacramental.

@ Fah King

Why shouldn't married gay couples get the same rights and protections as married hetero couples?

there are 1000+ rights and protections given to married couples, and they are not all tax breaks.

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/an-overview-of-...

Marriage is not a man with a man or a woman with a woman!

You can call a gay relation ship anything you want but it will never be a marriage.

I can call my dog a donkey, but he is still a dog.

Cause you is attacking the DICTIONARY!!!!

here we go. this should be good.