Philo, You are either stupid or deliberately offensive -- my guess is both. You are opposed to human rights for all, you are opposed to equality of opportunity, you have no interest in or understanding of love, science, logic, reason, compassion, ecological sustainability, history, facts... Your indoctrination has been perfectly installed. You are the puppet of your religious masters. You should be brought before the 'false advertising' commission for posing as a thinking person.
Celivia - thanks. Also to the posts from RObert that I too found both amusing and informative.

Celivia, it’s not just the Netherlands. In July 2005 Spain extended all marriage rights to same-sex couples. There was an issue with the status of non-biological parents which was cleared up in October 2005, but essentially the legislation simply widened the definition of spouse to include same-sex partners. Adoption rights were granted at the same time, so marriage rights in Spain are exactly the same for everyone. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/gay_marriage/unions.html

Uniquely, in Spain religious weddings involving same-sex partners are also recognised. As far as I know, everywhere else same-sex partnerships are formalised in a civil ceremony.

I haven’t noticed the sky falling over Spain, and opposite-sex couples are continuing to marry, oblivious to the damage that has been inflicted on the institution they are entering into ... and this in a country where 80% of the population say they are catholic (but only 42% believe in god!). http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/08/world/main1786404.shtml

Robert, ybgirp, I don’t understand why you respond to Philo. It’s clear that he doesn’t read what you write. He simply picks up on one or two words and has a mad tilt at those. Most likely he’s a sad, tortured soul, and you’re never going to change his mind or relieve his pain. Since no-one else takes him seriously, I don’t think you should either. Treat him like any crank you pass on the street – smile graciously and keep going.

How strange- I replied to your post days ago, w, saying that I didn't know that Spain had updated its adoption laws and to say thanks for the info; the more the merrier/marrier.
Seems like the post did't go through.
Anyway, I just wanted to post the news about Blair overruling the Church on gay adoption. I'm somewhat surprised about this.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/blair-overrules-church-on-gay-adoption/2007/01/30/1169919303562.html#

How long before Australia will follow?
It's only a matter of time.

Celivier; Australia will never follow enlightened countries such as those of Europe, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada because we are wedded to the USA and religion Sadly, the day of legislators that care about decency and human rights has passed. Today we are in the grip of religious fervour, both parties courting the religious vote. There will almost certainly be an Islamic Party candidate next Federal election and this will split the votes further. You see, Christian fundamentalists have been doing their homework; They hold the balance of power in sufficient seats to make everyone worried. There is no political capital or votes to be made out of human rights, pluralism, or equality for all, therefore they will be dropped in favour of whatever any politically important religion wants. It's important to realise that there is no constitutional requirement for secularism in any arm of government in Australia, hence Rudd's headlong embrace of religion, the spending of $9,000,000 on religious education in state schools, the tax-free status of all religious enterprises - like Sanitarium; even Pizza shops when run by religions... We are much more likely to see a reduction in rights for gays, not an increase.

Celivia, and anyone else worried about the increasing religiosity of Australian politics, perhaps you might be interested in the Secular Party, it's one year old and needs a few more members before it can put up candidates. It's free to join and nothing is required of you apart from that... Cheers. http://www.secular.org.au

And Sunday's meeting of 500 or so Muslims want to create a super state that operates under Sharia law.

The group claims it's only for Islamic countries where the social order would include the death penalty for gays, lesbians and unchaste women. Seems the unchaste heterosexual male is exempted!

Ahdielah Edries, the President of the Islamic Council of WA claim the group do not represent the views of most Muslims but 500 attendees at this meeting is not an insignificant number.

I would recommend that our overly tolerant government of Islam closely monitor these lunatics who incite murder in the name of religion!