Same Sex Marriage

I love the Gay Pride parade in NYCity!

JerryR:

Unfortunately, some religions will never, ever change. The Catholic Church will never have women Priests and Orthodox Judaism will never have women Rabbis.

Never say never, New Haven. That's a dangerous way of living.

JerryR, The subject of "approval" exists, because the bible teaches that homosexuality is wrong. It's supposedly the teachings of jesus or god. I do not live by what any religious books say is right or wrong. I live by the credo to treat all living things with respect and dignity. Do I fail sometimes? Ofcoarse, but my philosophy of life is only as good as my ability to live with what I consider humanity and humility. c.i.

New Haven- I too, like the idea of the Gay Pride Parade at this point in time. It is needed to raise people's consciousness.

My hope is though, that in the future, it will not be necessary to make a point of being gay, because people will accept Gay folks just for what they all are, human beings!

Hi All!

Sorry to take so long to respond!

New Haven- I'm not expecting any of these religions to change , but I do think that alot of people's attitudes have, which at some point will affect change in some churches. (I don't know about us catholics though, we tend to be pretty stubborn, even when we're wrong! ) ehBeth's right though, never say never!

cicerone imposter- Sorry, I only meant to quote one line from you on my last post,..got a little carried away I guess! I understand how people feel the need to approve or disapprove of things,.it's kind of like New Haven's comment on how we all discriminate (which is very true ).

Phoenix- the "Gay" events are FUN, and do raise awareness, but I'm not so sure that they help more than hurt. Given the personal nature of the subject, I just don't think that it's the kind of thing we need to "rub in people's noses". I think it "muddies" the real goal of the effort.

There's definitely a question of whether any publicity is better than none, I think (with the parades, say). In an ideal world, it wouldn't matter how people came off, because policy and attitudes would be formed on the basis of just and rational thought rather than gut feelings about people/events/things. In this world, though, there's good portion of the population (and they vote) who see a gay pride parade and it just feeds into their phobias and paranoias. On the other hand, it can help bring a "community" (however artificial or superficial the definition of that community may be) together and give courage to people who may otherwise have difficulty finding it. And it's a ripping good party.

And there are probably a number of Irish-Americans who have the same sort of qualms and questions about the St. Paddy's day parades...

There was an op-ed in the NYT a coupla days ago about the closing of a famous gay bookstore (Oscar Wilde something) and the resultant hand-wringing. The point made was that the things that made the bookstore so important in days past -- a place to find books by/ for/ about gay people, a place to feel safe and accepted -- were no longer as necessary. You can find books by/for/about gay people at any ol' Barnes and Noble, and while there certainly are still threats to gay people's safety, it's much less difficult to find other people with whom they feel comfortable.

Here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/13/opinion/13BAWE.html

Hi patiodog!

I agree,..it's always a fantastic party!
(I skip the parade,.but hit the parties,..but I'm not a hypocrite! )

This is my beef:
I understand, let's say, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, as a way for the Irish, and all, to gather and celebrate their rich heritage.

4th of July Parade, people celebrating the birth of our nation.

Thanksgiving Parade, The arrival of the first colonists, and the start of the "Holiday Season"

but,...Gay Pride Parade,..is a celebration of who you have sex with,..That strikes me as really strange,..and I LOVE sex!
Why should I have a parade beacause I sleep with Steve, rather than Sally?!?! Why should anybody?

I think parades have been a powerful, positive thing, from when being gay was truly a horrible secret. What's the opposite of a secret, of being in the closet? Have a parade!!

Hi Sozobe,

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to take anything away from anybody.
I'm not trying to get rid of it, I'd really miss the parties!
If a parade is what some people need, then by all means have it.
I just don't get it.

Right. I guess what I'm getting at is that it may have been a more necessary thing in times past -- akin to the Oscar Wilde Bookstore -- and is now more of a tradition/ fun thing.

The Toronto economy would really notice it if the Gay Pride parade and accompanying events were cancelled. It's a huge tourist event, and much loved here. It's actually become kind of funny to see how main-stream it's become. The mayor rides on a float with his super-shooter water pistol and shoots at the crowd, along with the union reps and Gays on Bay group. It's delightful and delovely.

errrrrr, just thinking about some of that 'never' stuff. Who thought there would ever be married Catholic priests? Well, we've got 'em now, and i suspect the momentum for change has not ended yet.

Priests married and whose marriages are recognized and condoned by the Catholic Church, or priests who were formerly members of the Catholic clergy who have married despite the Church's stance? (I'm asking because I have not heard this and do not know.)

I know an ex-priest and a ex-nun that quit the church to marry. c.i.

I think people should be allowed to marry animals.

You could not possibly find a mate that would be more faithful than a dog.

You'd have to do all the clean up though.

trespassers will
I remember reading an article several years ago about married RCC priests. I do not remember what the special circumstances were however.

Here's a CBS News report on married catholic priests.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/17/60minutes/main525956.shtml

c.i.

The celibacy thing is what has ruined the Catholic priesthood, IMLHO.

I hope the Pope, or whoever makes these rulse can see that and let married guys be priests.