State House to begin discussing gay marriage bill Monday

tootoo said on February 7, 2012 at 7:38 AM

@captjp The sick people you are talking about are the religious right that are spreading misinformation and trying to trample on people's rights, correct? Because I don't like them rubbing their beliefs in my face either.

captjp said on February 6, 2012 at 11:38 PM

No matter how you look at it we are dealing with sick people, but like all special interest groups they have worked their way into our government, media, and community centers to turn what is right into wrong and what is wrong into right. I didn't have a problem with someone if they where gay till they started rubbing my face in it. Anyone who votes for this gay marrage thing will not get our vote.

coyotebmw said on February 6, 2012 at 5:58 PM

@h8red, I believe you need to quote the entire amendment "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;", it is the "... the free exercise thereof..." part that the law will violate the amendment.

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 5:31 PM

You know what? I am NOT CONTROLLING YOUR lives...Apparently you do exactly what you want, wnen you want and you seem to be doing it just fine without me. I don't hate you, but if that is what you wish to believe I can't stop you from believing it no matter how hard I try. That is really hilarious. What are you so afraid of anyway? Rebellion is the only real reason people do what they do and they do it ALL BY THEMSELVES. With NO HELP from me. Have at it. Suit yourselves. Live it up. Go for it. I just don't happen to agree with you and neither does God but he gave you free choice to choose whatever makes YOU happy. So I do too.. Be my guest. And I don't see how you can possible call it "Hate". That really boggles my mind. Have I called you names? Have I insulted you with nasty inflamitory words with such words as "bigot", compared you to some lunitc fringe? No, I just don't agree with same sex marriage. That's not "hate". Hate is a pretty strong label.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 3:55 PM

Ordinary people are disgusted by the behavior that defines religious biggotry, those people who wish to control the lives of others who are not of the same group.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 2:48 PM

@emptynestr- Once again you spout out your drivle of your Christian way as the only way. And yes, that is the basis of thought of every radical religious group- that there is only one way to live life, and that is your way. That goes for Branch Dividians, Moonies, Jonestown, some Muslims, and,OMG, some Christians as well. This issue is not about you controlling our lives based upon your religion, it is about the equal and fair treatment of all citizens of this country. Please reference @h8red42 below for a quick lesson on what this country's laws say. And as your earlier post references another similar article with 15 pages of hatemongering, well please continue on so we can see how much hate iis in you. And BTW, I am a Christian, and even I can see that this gay marriage issue is not a church issue but a civil issue.

gritz said on February 6, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Mr Conservative - You continue to view your own opinion as the way the rest of the world works and it's just not true. Civilization has been around a lot longer than Christianity, so your first summation is wrong. Second, not all religions follow your assertion of one man one wife. I for one, am not going to propose that my religious beliefs are correct and the others are wrong, that is not for me to judge. As for moral decay, I am not sure of that either. Compared to other industrial countries the US is still pretty socially conservative. Yet we lead the world in child porn, drugs, murders, hate crimes and rapes. We are not so progressive in gay rights and viewed by other countries, pretty uncivilized. Some want us to all carry guns and revert back to Wild West days for justice. For the last two weeks you have had a constant vigil here stating your viewpoint, that a lot of time and energy. Is there more to your story then fear that having gays marry, somehow affects you personally?

gritz said on February 6, 2012 at 2:46 PM

coyotebmw - 99% of all animals don’t wear clothes, get married, watch TV or use a bathroom. What’s your point? Your gay friends must really think you are a jerk. You seem to think it's OK for employers to discriminate on supplying benefits to only heterosexuals. Please explain the taxpayer and how it’s different for gay marriage and non gay. It is true that this is a distraction, but for most this is really a non issue, but there appears to be some that throw everything from religion, to tax code to gay animals to justify their displeasure on equal rights.

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 1:37 PM

@ drbooman67094921 Are YOU kidding ME???? Hate???? Give me a break. Please. REBELLION is pretty much why this world is in such trouble. You don't want anyone telling you what to do and that is pretty much an authority issue. It has notihing at all to do with hate. Greed, MY rights, MY, MY, MY everything. You DO HAVE the right to make your own choices, but that doesn't make what you or even I, right. HOW DARE YOU COMPARE CHRITIANITY TO MUSLIM TERRORISTS. That is so not even close to the truth. But you only see what YOU WANT to see and you are not even willing to learn the truth. Christianity is based on the fact that we are sinners and there is no cure for our fallen nature except that God loved us too much to leave us in our sinful state. Jesus, (who is also God in the flesh) paid the ultimate price so that we could be saved from our sins if we believe in Him and accept His payment in our place. We all deserve death otherwise. Is that so hard to accept?

h8red42 said on February 6, 2012 at 1:14 PM

The First amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion,when the argument against Same sex Marriage is based on "God" that argument is Unconstitutional. Equal rights are for all,not just those who Have imaginary friends.

coyotebmw said on February 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM

Some very interesting comments on this forum! First, if homosexuality is normal behavior, we would see it in at least 50% of all species of animals, not the .005% that can be documented. Second, in a recent discussion with some Gay friends of mine about this topic, it became evident it is a monetary and property rights issue more than anything else. Anyone know who will pay for most of the “benefits” from gay marriage? The American taxpayer is who. Why, because the ones who will benefit the most are civil servants who are gay. Third, this law might not pass the two critical tests, referendum, and court test. The court test is that the provision that business’ cannot be exempt from providing services to gay couples based upon religious beliefs. This would violate the 1st Amendment. Finally, this whole issue is distracting from the real issue, the budget.

Brian1974 said on February 6, 2012 at 12:20 PM

@onetiredguy...the Budget Committee is still at work. Don't worry. No person's rights should ever be voted on.

pixelater said on February 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM

More tail wagging the dog. You may think there are biger issues such as unemployment and the economy, but these elected oficials are way smarter than the average person, just ask them. Don't worry the State economy will turn around, Someday.

onetiredguy said on February 6, 2012 at 12:06 PM

Yup, this is definitely more important than balancing the budget. Notice how the gov got off that topic and onto her own personal agenda. They should have put it to the people to vote on and carry on with our overspending, budget cuts, etc to balance our budget. Or are we just going to pass an insurmountable debt onto our children that they w9ill never be able to pay.

hourforum said on February 6, 2012 at 11:54 AM

mr_conservative, the concepts and tradition of what marriage has been, has not included everyone in history. Marriage equality is one example where the tradition of marriage has been so narrow. Facts do remain-both for hetrosexual marriages, and same sex marriages. Both should be treated equal-and represent two persons who love each other, who support each other. Divorce is yet another issue. To say the least of it-persons should and must be given the right to be married to whom they love,just as with every other marriage.The sad fact remains, people do get divorced-because, they forgot why they fell in love to begin with.Love alone, will see any relationship though, it is kind. Hate and anger never should raise its head,however it does.

Oh-Ya said on February 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM

I can't believe after so many years of people being "antigay" we are still debating over this in the senate. I am straight... but I do believe in gay marriage. The same question will always remain "who are YOU to tell someone who they marry or fall in love with????" Just let it go people! Gay people deserve the same rights as anyone else. In my humble opinion: this shouldn't even be a issue.... Let's pass this law and move on! :) Peace!

mr_conservative said on February 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM

The state is changing the rules regarding the institution which has kept civilization together since the beginning of time. The nuclear family is the tie that binds our civilization and society together. When you mess with that, all sorts of bad things happen. I realize that we live in an allegedly enlightened age, but there are concepts and principles which have remained consistent through the ages. One man married to one woman for life: that's how it's supposed to work. Look at what happens when that gets messed up.

Brian1974 said on February 6, 2012 at 11:11 AM

@awol50...explain why this is a Homomsexual Priviledge?

awol50 said on February 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. And the State of Washington is disappearing down the black hole of red ink while the politicians debate homosexual privileges. Ain't this swell? But then again, does anyone really expect this inept bunch of bought and paid for liberal politicians to actually do what the other 95% of us want: a balanced budget? November can't come around soon enough for me.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 10:40 AM

And it seems to me that 95% of the evil and hate in this world is perpetrated by herterosexuals, a large part of it in the name of religious intolerance.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 10:39 AM

@emptynester- Your self centered religious fervor makes you sound like a radical Muslim, spouting hate and dislike for anyone who doesn't believe as you do, not wanting others to live peace, denying others the rights that you so much enjoy, rights given by this civic state(this is man's country, not God's country). If you want to follow God's word why don't you start loving others as you seem to so much love yourself.

swatguy said on February 6, 2012 at 10:08 AM

Like stacking deck chairs on the Titanic....

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 9:33 AM

And BTW..God is no respector of persons. Whether we are Christians or not, life is not fair and we all have bad things happen in our lives because evil exists and it will touch Christians as well as unbelievers the same. We are all free to choose ...for good or for bad. God wants us to WANT Him, because WE love Him, not because he forces us to love Him. What good is forced love or forced devotion? It is meaningless. Worthless. True love sacrifices for others and is not self-centered nor self serving. The way of this WORLD is to be self-serving and self-centered. And we are definitely seeing the outcome of that...in child abuse, divorces, domestic violence, immorality, murder, sexual sins, and so many other violent crimes against others. And yes, sadly, some who CLAIM to be Christians are guilty of gross sins and I have my sincere doubts if they are REALLY Christians at all. That's NOT how a Holy God works my friends. Jesus sacrificed HIS LIFE for US because He loves us.

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 9:08 AM

And as for the question about what rights we would lose? We are being told we can't preach certain things in our churches because they are "offensive" to some people. (And if we do we should lose tax exempt status.) Well, golly gee...I'm really sorry but we don't get to just pick and choose what part of God's word we want to abide by and toss out the rest. It is there for our guidance and instruction. We don't have to LIKE it nor agree with it but it is still God's truth and He gave us the freedom to accept it or not. It doesn't change the outcome. The problem many have is how they percieve God. Some lean toward him and believe while others will deny him. So what makes the difference? Probably for some...experiences in life that have disappointed them or a lack of respect for authority in their lives to the point of rebellion, anger and resentment, bitterness toward other people. BUT...that is NOT God's fault. That is MANKiND'S fault. WE ALL come short of God's glory.

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 8:55 AM

And that is just exactly WHY you people believe same sex "marrage" is OK, because your hearts are hardened and God gave you over to do what you ought NOT do, because of your unbelief. It is NOT NORMAL. And there is NO GAY GENE. It IS a choice. Perhaps because so many of you have trouble finding your identity with your same sex parent or lack of one while growing up. Marriage was designed by our creator to be with ONE man and ONE woman for the purpose of procreation. Anything else is NOT by devine design. Don't believe in God? Your freedom of choice. But it still doesn't erase the fact that the entire universe was by God's design and this is the only planet that has unique LIFE on it. Anything outside of the Creator's design will ultimately fail. That is just a fact. You can TRY to break God's laws for humanity but you will only hurt yourself trying. Good luck trying.

mr_conservative said on February 6, 2012 at 8:45 AM

@tootoo - The ones who need mental help are the people who think homosexual behavior is a normal and wonderful thing. There are legitimate reasons why homosexuality has retained a stigma through the ages. Nobody is saying that they can't engage in this behavior if they so choose, but that it should not be normalized.

tootoo said on February 6, 2012 at 8:02 AM

@treeclimber I think you have mental problems and need help if you think people should not be allowed to live their lives as they please, as long as they aren't hurting anything or anyone else.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 3:09 AM

And no, I am not a gay lover or a religion hater. I am simply tired of this inequality that has been going on too long. And as for the hatemongering, really, both sides are equally guilty of slinging it deep, so everyone cut it out and just learn to accept others the way they are, because you are never going to change them.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 3:00 AM

@emptynester- And the tax exempt status that religious organizations enjoy is yet another benefit bestowed upon you by the government, a benefit and not a right. Back to marriage, why do you believe that all these government provided benefits should be based on religious participation? Do you really believe that the tax payers' money and gov. handouts should benefit you only, based upon a religious ceremony? Isn't that hatemongering by the church? What if the government suddenly said that religious marriage is no longer an acceptable way to apply for all the benefits it gives out, that the aggrement between the state and religious organizations is now void, and the only way for you get these benefits back was to enter into a new state approved contract that any two adults could enter into? Then these state provided benefits would not be based on a religious act, but upon two people making a commitment to each other, for the benefit of all. Denying other their equal rights is not right.

drbooman67094921 said on February 6, 2012 at 2:29 AM

@emptynester- You already enjoy the right to marriage, which carries many civic and equal rights benefits, most of which have nothing to do with religion. Many financial and tax benefits, medical decision making and visitation, insurance, and many others. These benefits are bestowed by the government based on fairness and justice for all citizens, basic rights that should apply to all people. They extend these rights and freedoms on to you based upon entering into a religious marriage contract. And it is the State's right to decide who to extend these benefits to, and on what basis that contract is formulated. The definition of a family unit is a civic issue due to it's biological basis, and not a religious one. How does giving others these same rights impinge upon your rights. What rights would you lose, religiious or otherwise, by passing this bill. Why do you use your religion as a basis to to deny others the the same rights you enjoy? Why why why?

flwright64 said on February 6, 2012 at 1:35 AM

"And our "tax exempt" status should have NOTHING to do with the subject. Christians are just standing up for our rights too." And, what rights would that be, exactly?

oldlewy said on February 6, 2012 at 1:05 AM

When learning sports it was always keep your eye on the ball. Well now the ball is the states lack of money to pay the bills. Where is the states coach, that would be the governor and she started this distraction. Now it is time fore our lawmakers to balance the state budget. The supreme court said our schools are underfunded, lets fund them first our children are worth it.

emptynestr said on February 6, 2012 at 12:35 AM

Here we go again. More church bashing. It is really interesting that you people call Christians and churches "hatemongers" but after the last comments I saw on this site regarding this subject (2 days worth and over 15 pages no less) I think you people need to look yourselves in the eye and see who the real "hatemongers" are. Talk about mean spirited and hateful, you liberals take the cake. And frankly when our religeous rights are being taken away and we can't even talk about certain scriptures in our Bibles, you better believe it is our business to take a stand and speak up about it. And our "tax exempt" status should have NOTHING to do with the subject. Christians are just standing up for our rights too.

freedomfrank said on February 6, 2012 at 12:03 AM

Hope they can get around to the budget after they are done with the gay marriage thing and spending time admonishing the Susan Komen place,,, banning tanning beds and all the other important stuff thats getting in the way of fixing our money problems that they created for us. How about it Olympia, ready to actually do what we pay you to do?

flwright64 said on February 5, 2012 at 11:46 PM

It bothers me that organizations who enjoy tax-exempt status in the name of religion would actively pursue discrimination. Once "Marriage" becomes part of our laws and our tax code, religious organizations need to understand this will be fought to the Supreme Court, where they are most assuredly not guaranteed a win.

andyblue555 said on February 5, 2012 at 10:14 PM

Yaaaay!.... that's all. : )

mr_conservative said on February 5, 2012 at 9:40 PM

They'll rubber stamp it and move on to something else not related to improving the state's most important problems. Hey phil49 - the Sodomites already have equal rights to marry someone of the opposite sex. Keep your perverse sense of morality out of society.

baldeagle said on February 5, 2012 at 9:35 PM

They are trying too pass everything but a balanced budget.

javajoe said on February 5, 2012 at 9:29 PM

While they are at it they may as well introduce the Bald Eagle Same Sex Restoration Project………

phil49 said on February 5, 2012 at 9:06 PM

Let's keep this an equal rights issue. Religion has nothing to do with civil and equal rights. Churches need to confine their activities to their members and not impose their beliefs on society. Keep church and state seperate..