Posted by rayww on February 6, 2004, at 20:06:36
In reply to Re: faith in family » rayww, posted by NikkiT2 on February 5, 2004, at 8:21:35
I hope dialogue is allowed. You have asked some pretty good questions. Does anyone but God have the answers? Here is the "missing link" that was left out of my former post with some answers, official statements, etc. http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1458-1,00.html
My answer to your main question,
("in your eyes, and in your understanding of the church - is marriage about making babies and raising them. Or is it about two people who love each other very much and want to spend the rest of their lives together and celebrate this love with other people??")
my answer would have to be, BOTH. Marriage is about making babies and raising them, and about two people who love each other very much and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Hey, the world gets confused on a lot of issues. That's why we need to seek truth and figure out what life is all about; where did I come from, why am I here, and where will I go after I die, sort of things. Those are the faith issues. Faith means believing in something you know to be true, even though it can't be proven scientifically, "yet". Can it be scientifically proven that gay marriage shouldn't be allowed? Polygamy was declared illegal 150 years ago, and those who were already practising it were prosecuted and imprisoned. What would happen if the same thing happened today against gay marriage? I think we have all learned a lot about human rights, but not quite sure what direction our learning is taking us. I wonder if a frank discussion on this topic is appropriate for the faith board. I mean, why is it not possible to discuss this civilly? Is it simply a cat and dog issue?, or a designer label topic? Heck if I know.
rayww
> Sorry, but I'm keeping this here as I am interested in the religious perspective here.
>
> So.. married people who choose not to have children?? Are they any different, in the eyes of the church, from a homosexual couple who are unable, obviously, to coneive children naturally. I have gay friends with children.. (one couple, male, adopted - one couple, female, used artificial insemination).. The male couple even had a religious blessing for there union here in London, by a gay clergy man.
> On the other hand, I was married in an entirely civil ceremony with no religious aspect to it at all. My hsband and I have been amrried 4 years, and through choice have no children (these might come in the future, but they might now!)
>
> To quote you "["institution" of marriage and family was founded upon essential elements of love, loyalty, mutual trust and respect, and of course moral integrity]".. my gay friends have alot of love, alot of loyalty, mutual trust and respect, and indeed moral integrity.
>
> So, I guess my question here really, in your eyes, and in your understanding of the church - is marriage about making babies and raising them. Or is it about two people who love each other very much and want to spend the rest of their lives together and celebrate this love with other people??>
> Thanks for the dialogue
>
> Nikki x
poster:rayww
thread:308757
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040113/msgs/310329.html