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bunky..not sure what you mean in your post? Are you saying that you choose to be straight because it is in keeping with your religious beliefs but inside, you feel that you are gay? If true...this drives me nuts! Look what happened to our previous Governor..not so much what he had to go through but what his poor wife had to go through because he could not be true to himself - I'm sure his issue wasn't much different than yours. If you are struggling, I suggest that you seek outside help..not just help from your pastor or priest, but a therapist! Doing the "right thing" because your are being taught that it is the right thing otherwise you'll be going to hell - is wrong! Lying is a much larger sin in my opinion...living a lie..deceiving others is a sin!
i personally don't understand why bunky even responded. same sex civil unions has not affected his life in nj at all - because i don't believe he even lives here.
i personally don't understand why bunky even responded. same sex civil unions has not affected his life in nj at all - because i don't believe he even lives here.
Thanks for the responses thus far, everyone, and also thank you for keeping them civil (I know how "heated" threads can often become on this forum). To the 3 voters so far who have voted "Yes" (it HAS detrimentally impacted your quality-of-life), could you please elaborate upon what exactly has been diminished in your life? I'm not trying to pick fights. I just honestly am trying to better understand what makes Pennsylvanians tick as I begin to lodge my own campaign against the passing of this proposed amendment here west of the Delaware River. I personally couldn't care less if PA banned same-sex marriage or not, but I never understood how government-sanctioned civil unions had any bearing upon religious beliefs, which is really the only way I can see it "irking" people. I also don't understand why hospital visitation rights have to be banned; isn't that just cruel?
Hasn't impacted my life negatively or positively. I'd think the only people whose lives have been impacted would be the ones who find this personally relevant to them.
I never understood how government-sanctioned civil unions had any bearing upon religious beliefs, which is really the only way I can see it "irking" people. I also don't understand why hospital visitation rights have to be banned; isn't that just cruel?
Yes, it is! What about best friends, who have remained single and gotten on in years, with no other family to speak of but their best friend? Not even gay, just their partner in life, shut out by being neither family nor a "union".
And also, I agree 100% regarding government sanctioned civil unions have no bearing upon personal religious beliefs. I don't think the state should recognize "marriage", marriage is part of religion, and a union is something the state should recognize. Its something more basic, about an economic agreement, imho.
Yes, it is! What about best friends, who have remained single and gotten on in years, with no other family to speak of but their best friend? Not even gay, just their partner in life, shut out by being neither family nor a "union".
And also, I agree 100% regarding government sanctioned civil unions have no bearing upon personal religious beliefs. I don't think the state should recognize "marriage", marriage is part of religion, and a union is something the state should recognize. Its something more basic, about an economic agreement, imho.
Separation of Church and State! I couldn't agree more! And you're absolutley correct - what gives a hospital the right to decide who should and how shouldn't be allowed to come to the aid of their partner - whether straight or gay!
I can't even fathom how this would negatively affect someone else's life that has nothing to do with the couples in question. I am a conservative and this is one of the only issues in which I diverge from the overall platform. Its ludicrous to me.
I can't even fathom how this would negatively affect someone else's life that has nothing to do with the couples in question. I am a conservative and this is one of the only issues in which I diverge from the overall platform. Its ludicrous to me.
It's ludicrous because it will never effect your situation because you are straight! What if the world was suddenly turned upside down and our goverment decided that straight couple could not marry or would have no rights protecting them from harm or even our laws. What if your wife..or significant other was in a seroius car accident..you rush to be by her side only to have the hospital tell you "sorry, but we do not recognize your relationship - you'll have to go and wait in the waiting room" - and when they do finally come to see you, the news is "sorry but your "friend" has passed! This has happened to people I know and it's horrible! It's about human rights not gay or straight rights!
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To the 3 voters so far who have voted "Yes" (it HAS detrimentally impacted your quality-of-life), could you please elaborate upon what exactly has been diminished in your life? I'm not trying to pick fights. I just honestly am trying to better understand what makes Pennsylvanians tick as I begin to lodge my own campaign against the passing of this proposed amendment here west of the Delaware River. I personally couldn't care less if PA banned same-sex marriage or not, but I never understood how government-sanctioned civil unions had any bearing upon religious beliefs, which is really the only way I can see it "irking" people. I also don't understand why hospital visitation rights have to be banned; isn't that just cruel? 
