The issue, to my mind, is considerably complex - yet the principle factor is not homosexuality, nor even lifestyle, it is legal entitlements.
We have an existing sytem of government that has removed itself from protecting the individuals under it and their right to be themselves (and be left alone), to a system wherin the Government determines what is "right and good" for the citizens and enforces compliance.
Should Gay Marriage be allowed? The only reason this is a question is due to the legal implications whereby individuals who are morally against the "lifestyle" are legal bound to financially support it. If the Governement had not gotten its nose under the tent with Social Programs (and particularily the resultant laws impelling compliance) to begin with there would be no question. Individual Churches would be allowed to determine whether a union was 'religiously' accepted, anyone could be 'legally' married, and the homosexual lifestyle would NOT impact anyone else - it could THEN truly be 'your' choice but not 'mine'
Since it is, implicitly, this financial entitlement that those vying in favor homosexual unions are seeking, lets make the question more accurate: Should an individual be compelled to support, in any manner, another individual's life choices?
When we look at the question with truly open eyes we realize it is not whether homosexual unions are right or wrong, but rather whether I am forced to support such a union against my will.
As there are so many other entitlements behind a legal reconition of Marriage, the question of homosexual marriage DOES affect all of us on grounRAB other than religious, thus the Question must be viewed in THAT light (legal) rather than with a subjective (religious) bias.
What are some of the legal entitlements a legally married couple gain:
MSN Money (
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/P48908.asp)
"The people who got a tax break by marrying were those with disparate incomes. The wider the gap between the paychecks of the husband and wife, the bigger the bonus."
Workplace health and pension benefits coverage.
Social Security retirement and survivor benefits
Lower insurance rates.
Automatic inheritance rights
Preferential estate tax treatment
Let us examine the 'healthiness' of the homosexual union (as that would impact the greatest financial burden - increased health insurance premiums):
Following excerpts from: The American College of Pediatricians (
http://www.acpeRAB.org/?CONTEXT=art&cat=22&art=50)
NOTE: this article has to do with homosexual parenting, with an emphasis on the scientific studies revolving around the homosexual lifestyle. Bibliological references listed at the site.
"Violence among homosexual partners is two to three times more common than among married heterosexual couples"
"Homosexual partnerships are significantly more prone to dissolution than heterosexual marriages with the average homosexual relationship lasting only two to three years"
"Homosexual men and women are reported to be inordinately promiscuous involving serial sex partners, even within what are loosely-termed "committed relationships"
"Those current studies that appear to indicate neutral to favorable results from homosexual parenting have critical flaws such as non-longitudinal design, inadequate sample size, biased sample selection, lack of proper controls, and failure to account for confounding variables"
"The research literature on childrearing by homosexual parents is limited. The environment in which children are reared is absolutely critical to their development. Given the current body of research, the American College of Pediatricians believes it is inappropriate, potentially hazardous to children, and dangerously irresponsible to change the age-old prohibition on homosexual parenting, whether by adoption, foster care, or by reproductive manipulation. This position is rooted in the best available science. January 22, 2004"
SO, from a sound financial reason homosexual unions would entitle partners to Social Security and Healthcare benefits. As these are systems whereby participants "equally" (?) share the burden of assistance/services, individuals other than the immediate homosexual couple are financially impacted by the un-healthiness of the homosexual lifestyle. Thus on a financial basis, LEGAL recognition of homosexual unions should be denied as they would compell an unfair burden on the rest of society.
Finally, given the current legal compulsions inferred by marriage on the rest of society, my vote would have to be against the legal recognition of homosexual unions. If we were to do away with those compulsory supports, for BOTH hetero- and homo- sexual unions, my vote would very likely change because - even if I don't like it - at least I am not supporting it.