Posted by Don Wallace on January 15, 19101 at 15:08:20:
Regardless of what word one uses to describe it, the
committed male-female relationship (that we have
traditionally callled "marriage") is different from
same-sex relationships. The marriage ceremony is
a social recognition of the male-female difference
which lies at the heart of who we are as a species.
It is unique.
Same-sex relationships need to be recognized and
celebrated; and same-sex couples need to be granted
the same civil rights as male-female couples, e.g.,
(depending on the country), spousal medical coverage,
inheritance, and so on.
Trying to combine the two types of relationship under
the same term ("marriage") is an apples/oranges
mistake.
BTW, I am a Christian who does NOT find homosexuality
to be essentially sinful so don't go there. My
opinions come not from bigotry but from a desire
to recognize and celebrate all types of relationships.
Don Wallace