It really is perverse logic to argue that same-sex marriages should be outlawed so that churches are not compelled to conduct them.

I fully support churches being free not to marry gay same-sex couples if they choose (though I hope they choose otherwise). But I also support same-sex couples being free to marry if they choose.

The churches already have complete freedom to decide who they will and will not marry. The Roman Catholic church marries divorcees only in very limited circumstances. Other churches choose to marry only active members of their own denominations, and few would marry a couple of an entirely different faith.

I wonder where the real totalitarian impulse and motives really come from, and who is advocating and dramatizing such motives and actions.

Again, these references apply to the USA, but it seems to me that they have a trickle-down effect all over the world, including here in Australia. Affecting such outfits as the Australian Christian Lobby and right-wing politicians such as Cory Bernadi and Kevin Andrews.

Building God's Kingdom by Julie Ingersoll

Libertarian Theocrats by Michael McVicar (an essay)

Kingdom Coming by Michelle Goldberg

American Fascists by Chris Hedges

The Family by Jeff Sharlett.

Just another godbothering bigot.
Ignore.

To think this whole debate can be easily settled by adding a simple clause to the marriage act that states ' between two people' thus allowing all couples to choose between a man and a woman, or between two people.

You want equality, what can be more equal than allowing all couples to choose in a non discriminating way.

Gays don't want equality they want our world to be changed to accommodate their tiny minority and show total disregard for normal couples rights.

Walters: Discussion is turning to the importance and practicalities of preserving freedom of conscience and religious belief alongside acceptance in law of same-sex marriage. The possibility, even desirability, of a two tier system separating civil and religious definitions and functions concerning marriage has been raised by prominent church leaders.

The SSM legalisation case is a sham. There is no justification for legalisation of SSM.

The media and pro-same-sex marriage politicians have been disingenuous by not acknowledging how the fundamental freedoms of speech, conscience and religion have been suppressed since legalisation of SSM in Massachusetts and Canada.