Maine becomes 5th state to allow gay marriage; NH could quickly...

From the article, "Republican Sen. Debra Plowman of Hampden argued that the bill was being passed 'at the expense of the people of faith.' "

Not all "people of faith" believe that homosexuality is a sin or that same-sex marriages should be banned. Within the protestant churches alone, there are a number of branches that are open and affirming to homosexuals and that would be willing to recognize a same-sex marriage.

Isn't denying those churches the opportunity to perform such ceremonies likewise at the expense of people of faith? Or should the government only listen to one church's views? Personally, I don't think that government should be in the business of legislating religion. "Render unto Ceasar..." and all that.

Congrats Maine!(Check another state off the list for equality)

Outside Observer wrote:

From the article, "Republican Sen. Debra Plowman of Hampden argued that the bill was being passed 'at the expense of the people of faith.' "Not all "people of faith" believe that homosexuality is a sin or that same-sex marriages should be banned. Within the protestant churches alone, there are a number of branches that are open and affirming to homosexuals and that would be willing to recognize a same-sex marriage.

Don't you realize that republicans have their own church and that others views are subject to their whims?

Outside Observer wrote:

From the article,...Isn't denying those churches the opportunity to perform such ceremonies likewise at the expense of people of faith? Or should the government only listen to one church's views?

You don't seem to realize that the last administration effectively neutered the first and fourteenth amendments! We have NO freedom from religion in our government anymore!

Outside Observer wrote:

From the article,...Personally, I don't think that government should be in the business of legislating religion. "Render unto Ceasar..." and all that.

Personally, I don't think that religion should be in the BUSINESS of regulating government!

What is happening in this once great country? We freed the slaves, gave women the right to vote and gave African-Americans civil rights. But there is a trend starting in this country to reverse those rights. Same-sex marriage was determined to be Constitutional in California but group in Utah raised 10's of millions of dollars to revoke it. That was the first time in the history of our once great nation that ANY group has ever voted away the rights of another! Now, unfortunately, it looks like it will happen again in Maine tomorrow!

Mainers! How will you feel if the vote takes away someone's rights? How will you feel? Why should you care? After all, it doesn't apply to you. But, it might apply to your neighbor, your co-worker, your own son or daughter or maybe grand kids. Or maybe one of their friends. Will you be able to walk up and look them in the eye and tell them that you voted away their Constitutional rights? Will you be able to give them a good Constitutional reason why? If you vote yes tomorrow, to take away equal rights from a minority, will you come here to our home to tell my teenage son why you consider him to be a second class citizen, unworthy of the same rights as you? Will you, and could you, explain how YOU are more deserving of equal treatment under the law (14th amendment)than you? Will you look me or his sister or any of his many straight friends in the face and tell us that you are a better person that he is? You don't even know him so how could you? How can any 'Yes on one' voter possibly reconcile that?

Please vote No on 1, vote for equality, vote for what is right and just!

ActsOfBeauty wrote:

Congrats Maine!(Check another state off the list for equality)

Unfortunately, too soon to tell! Never underestimate the agents of ignorance and hate!

Must have a state full of Queers!!!!

Maine voted the shit packers law away. The Queers are jumping the gun a bit here. They'll try again next year and the next untill they get their way.

What are you redneck ninnies so afraid of? If you aren't gay then don't get married to a person of the same sex. WTF?

ActsOfBeauty wrote:

Congrats Maine!(Check another state off the list for equality)

How is that working for you and the rest of the gay community?

Mike wrote:

(nothing worth repeating)

All you have managed to do is delay the inevitable, full legal equality for Lesbians and Gays, not only in Maine, but nationwide. Of course we will be back, as many times as it takes until the rights that are supposed to be ours too under the Constitution are protected from people like you. Your kind of hate and bigotry is doomed, you just haven't caught on yet,because there are too many who choose to silently go along out of fear that they be splattered with the kind of ugliness you spew. But eventually, the tide will turn as it always does and what is right will prevail and let me tell you, you just ain't right. History will not be kind when your vote is remembered.

I didn't vote on this, but I will next time and I'll vote against the same sex marrage.