roguenuke, thanks for your candid response.
I'll largely concede your opinion, and agree to disagree. I cannot prove my opinion incontrovertibly. But neither can anyone else here. I can only base them on evidence that suggests particular correlations; simply because the hard science isn't there yet. I cannot prove gay marriage harmful to society, I can only infer, it will be harmful. I made that case, and you can decide for yourself whether you agree with it or not.
I do have two small criticisms though.
The distinction between conduct, and orientation is important? Why, because on its own, a sexual orientation is completely harmless, and irrelevant - only when is it acted upon does it have consequences, and primarily those consequences concern public health issues. Society has the right and the obligation to regulate public health issues. As abhorrent as pedophilia is, as an orientation, it is harmless, very much for the same reasons as homosexuality is harmless. Why do we regulate the act of pedophilia? Because of the harm it brings on the victim. But how is this harm measured? It's measured, that, even though a act of pedophilia wouldn't necessarily cause distress to the victim, the very knowledge that the victim is incapable of rational thought, makes the crime a crime. We protect those that are incapable of protecting themselves, even from themselves. Likewise, without knowing the full implication, and causation of homosexual influence among adolescents, should we, and damn, don't we have the right to regulate it? Shouldn't we err on the side of caution, even if at the expense of the adult homosexual wishing to marry?
I don't disagree with this view. Adults have the right to do what they want, or should be able too, however, I was asked why I oppose gay marriage. I oppose it for the specific reason that involves the sanctioning, and or institutionalizing the behavior by the state. We can parse words all day long about legal and illegal, but the fact of the matter is that, homosexuality is not illegal, homosexual marriage is. By repealing homosexual marriage constraints we invariably validate the behavior. Once done, the game is one. it WILL absolutely be introduced to public school children as a valid form of sexual expression, and in some circles even promoted, and encouraged. No conspiracy theory there, it's already happening. So, if one assumes the truth of premise to be true, then my conclusion is also true. The premise is that homosexuality can be catchy to adolescent children - for lack of a better term. Now if you believe, much like I suspect you do, that homosexuality is not catchy, then you must conclude that I am wrong. That's fine, I'm ok with it.
In the US it is still a legal, affirmative defense to divorce, or annul a marriage because the other partner is unable to bear children.
In any event I appreciate the civility.
Tim-