Prejudice is always wrong. I have nothing against homosexuals. But secularist hypocrisy in general is summed up by the comedienne and journalist Julia Gorin.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/julia/gorin120105.php3

In the scramble for each minority interest, its forgotten the very civilisation that allows the freedom to pursue them is imperiled. We live in civilisation that can't even reproduce itself. 'Why Nations Die'

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/GH16Aa02.html

A geo-political journalist of singular quality will put all these kinds of debates in context. The complete Spengler Asiatimes online

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/others/spengler.html

So in the end it amounts to a non-issue.

I don't know what exactly you consider to be a "non-issue" Martin, but I can assure you for the many people in long-term, committed same-sex relationships missing out on the legal rights and responsibilities - in areas of taxation, welfare, public sector superannuation, defence force pensions and parental duties, just to name a few off the top of my head - to which they should be entitled, because of an unjustifiable, increasingly redundant prejudice, it is very much not a "non-issue".

And no, contrary to your sweeping, unqualified generalisation, society would not be "imperiled" for granting legal equality for same-sex couples via civil unions. Two men or women officially committing to one another has no direct effect on the marriage or relationship of two heterosexual people unless they are particularly insecure in their relationship.

Beware the person who includes the line "I have nothing against (fill in the gap), but..." In almost all cases they do.

Dear queerpenguin,

Reading the articles in the links should have made it clear that rampant secularism is what is putting our civilization in peril. A passionate, radicalized Islam senses the weakness, and grows more assertive day after day while attacks against, Christianity, the Church and traditional morality continue. If it wasn’t for these essential components of western civilization debate about individual rights would never have got this far. Julia Gorin the comedienne and journalist sums this spirit up I think:

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/julia/gorin120105.php3

So read the articles by ‘Spengler’ of the Asiatimes. You’ll understand how the rights of not just homosexuals, but everyone are dependent on whether Islamism is defeated. It is this that imperils civilization.

P.s. Is it not encouraging that the PM has said “I would be opposed to a recognition of civil unions, although I am strongly in favour ... of removing any property and other discrimination that exists against people who have same-sex relationships."

queerpenguin,

I read your words and feel your frustration.

However (there is always a ‘but’) you must understand and accept the fact that homosexuals are the minority in the social scheme of things and therefore must be grateful for whatever concessions they get from a free democratic system. Spare a thought for those who are really harassed and even executed for their lifestyle choices under different regimes.

With every privilege comes responsibility. What I got from your last post is that you don’t seem to care much for the feelings of others as long as you get what you deem is rightly yours.

Let me tell you that other people have a problem with atypical lifestyles. Especially when their beliefs and values are vastly different than what you may consider ‘normal’.

It seems that once again it is up to the majority to bite the bullet and ‘accept’ the minorities or else get to ware all the nasty labels.

Coach

Indigenous Australians are also a minority - should they also be "grateful for whatever concessions" the majority allows them to have?

Concerned Citizen,

No – Without getting into the real benefits that Native Australians are actually getting – I think this is an unfair comparison on your part and should not have been brought here.

The minority group in question here has made a lifestyle decision to become a minority and decided that the rest of us should support it. And we did.

The point I was making is that it this lifestyle is not considered ‘right’or acceptable for most other people; and the minority should exercise more tact in dealing with the people who still adopt the normal way of life and must tolerate them ...or else

As a follower of Christ Jesus I love these people but like him I hate their choices.