Believer, you lambasted Catlady for not having a specific piece of scripture that says Gods spark is in all of us, yet you defend 1 man / 1 woman as scripturally based, when there is also not a specific piece of scripture to back that up. The two you cited do not specifically state this. They may alude to it, just as there are passages that alude to Gods spark.

It's time to be fair and gentle with people's interpretations.

Or maybe we should all be Fair and Flexible like Sprint.

Well, I think, in effect, it's pretty much like that in the UK really - isn't it the same in the USA?

To be married, all couples must be joined by a registrar. The thing is, because the Church of England is the official religion of the country, Anglican vicars are also registrars, so they do both bits - the religious bit in the church and the register signing in the vestry or somewhere.

Most Roman Catholic priests, for example, are not (or were not ~ don't know if things have changed) registered and so Catholics have to have a separate civil union conducted by a registrar. I think that it's usually done at the same time here, while in France there are two 'events'.


'The legal requirements to be fulfilled for a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony are those that apply to civil marriages.'

http://www.weddingguide.co.uk/articles/ceremonies/catholic.asp


'All marriage ceremonies must take place in the presence of a superintendent registrar or an authorised person (for example, an authorised vicar or priest) and be witnessed by at least two competent people, who will be required to sign the marriage register. '

http://www.weddingguide.co.uk/articles/legal/englandwales.asp


'The religious building will usually have a person appointed to register your marriage. If this is not the case you must confirm with the Register Office of the district that they have a Registrar available to register your marriage.'

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/community-and-living/births-deaths-and-marriages/marriage/;jsessionid=bXjIDvuAlY09

In the USA, the couple must first obtain a marriage license (you have to have a license for everything, it seems, but die <grin>). That is obtained at the Court Clerk's office (can't remember which one - I think the County). And various states have/had requirements for blood tests and/or waiting periods.

Then the officiating or "marrying" could be done by a justice of the peace, a notary public, or a pastor ordained by a denomination (or so licensed by the state). The officiator and witnesses sign the marriage license, and it is sent into the State for entry into the official records, and an official wedding certificate issued.

Even though I know that San Francisco was allowing same-sex marriages for a while, that was later overturned. And I really don't know which states are allowing them, or civil unions. I think Canada is.

I don't keep up with it as much as my daughter would like. No excuse, other than Marge and I have had a lot of things going on the last couple of years.

Also judges, and Captains of vessels at sea can perform marriages.

It's surprising, though, how many parents change their minds if and when this happens.

Most parents - not all, I appreciate that - naturally want to protect their children.

Gay children are probably more vulnerable than others, because of the prejudice that they may encounter.

They probably need a mother's love more than most. I couldn't deny my children that.

When Marge and I were in Northern California, on her nursing assignment there, we attended some events within the Gay and Lesbian Family in San Francisco, with my daughter. Not only did many tell us how much they admired our support of my daughter, but they kind of viewed us as "honorary" family.

Just like a kid can't have too many loving grandparents, so there can't be too much caring.

For those who wish to discuss 'marriage', as opposed to this 'gay issue', here are some other threads:

Topic: Gay marriage
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000140#000000

Topic: Marriage - an outdated institution?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000139#000000

Topic: Marriage
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000234#000000

Topic: Seven Brides for ... One Man!?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=13;t=000281#000009

Topic: Arranged Marriage
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000271#000000

Topic: Priests, marriage & celibacy
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=13;t=000185#000000

Having sorted out our thoughts on homosexuality in general, what now are your thoughts on homosexual clerics in the church?

Whoa - I step away for a day and I miss all the angst. Really - I just feel bad for all the homosexuals who grow up in Christian households - It must be horrible to feel that conflict of disappointing God and your parents, over something that you have no control of.
It just makes me want to hug my kids and feel good that at least in this household, my children will not have to contend with disapproving parents as they grow into their adult roles. (Unless my daughter gets a nose ring and my son gets any body piercing at all )

As to the question at hand about homosexuality in the priesthood - again it is interesting to figure out ones motivation for entering the priesthood. I contend that most enter, doing just as stephtrex infers - trying to inhibit their own desires, thus not "doing the deed". But I had not thought about (what I think Catlady brought up)the fact that the priesthood offers a secretive environment for men to do whatever it is they do behind closed doors. I wonder if men choose the priesthood for THAT reason - to be with other gays - or just really trying to squelch their own impulses. Regardless, I think once a gay man gets in that private situation, it would be hard not to act ... which really does not bother me - so long as the priests limit it to the priests and not involve the altar boys. Of course, that's just me, who had Roman Catholicism ranked dead last on my religion personality quiz. I wonder how many Roman Catholics would be comfortable with the notion of the priesthood peppered with homosexual priests involved with eachother. Oh to be a fly on that stain glass window.