Yes, I am going to open that can of worms. What are everyone's thoughts?
Mine? Well personally I say Congratulations! This for me, is a rather telling topic. I grew up in a very religious home. Long hair, modest clothing, dresses only for women, no swearing, no TV, no radio, limited access to computers and gospel meetings at least twice a week. I like to think I am a better person thanks to that up bringing. But all will have their own opinion.
When I was in High School my best friend was becoming more and more depressed and reserved about something until one day she told me. She was gay. Quite honestly I was relieved, I was really beginning to worry that something was wrong. Turns out she is actually Bi, doubles her chances she says. And good on her.
My husband, well he doesn't believe in God, but as long as everyone is either happy or doesn't complain to him, he doesn't care. The religious group I was in did not approve of my choice and thus I find myself a Christian that does not belong to any Church.
So why this topic? Because quite honestly I believe that everyone deserves to be equal. No matter their beliefs, colour, race, gender, creed or sexuality.

'Because quite honestly I believe that everyone deserves to be equal '

so Bec you believe a five year old and six year old could also get married. Otherwise you don't really believe in equality. You also should support polygamy as everyone should be treated 'equal'. You don't need to study to much biology to find out how unhealthy sodomy is. To encourage this lifestyle is idiotic. I am glad to see that you admit that people committing sodomy as well as sleeping with women is a choice.

btw plenty of apostate churches condone homosexuality so you obviously have not tried to hard to find a church accomodating your belief albiet totally unbiblical.

As the homosexual community generally pride themselves on being different, then why the push to change the definition of marriage?

One gets the impression that they are desperate not to be seen as different.

hi/mummy2

by all..logic we have seen..marriage..
isnt..just between..one man/..one woe-man..
enjoined,,together/forever..into..hush-band/wife

we allso have abstractions..of spirit marriage to living
and of the church..with the heavens[even as christ is wed to..our father

[the father..being the hushbanned
and christ..,himself sub ordained into wife

the church[wife]..is hushbanded by christ
so i hope thats clear..

[im wed to blogging..
[im presuming im...acting as husband..wife

but heck..mums top us all
a wife isnt a mother

its the subordinate..position..just so..that remains clear
com[plet and utter obeyance..to our husbands will

but manhas freewill
if they want to be servant..it has to be freee choice
where is the informed consent?..without a equal-meeting of mind with heart..any contractual..servitude..cannot be implied

the mothers..and the fathers role
is much more clear..marriage brings in spirit

but dont swear..before god[do not take oath/not even..in writing[any signed writing is a contract..[signing contract..creates a faulse person[paper person]..so our..*sig-nature..is the mark

just put your mark here
NO WAY..im stupid..not gay..[as in happy]..
im..not happy jan..even..the church,,isnt explaining
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=15602&page=0

Bec, you won't find much support for gay marriage on this forum because we have our fair share of resident bigots and homophobes, as you can see.

I agree with you that it is wonderful that Australia is finally starting to drag itself into the 21st Century and have commenced the journey to equal marriage rights for homosexuals.

I still can't see how this decision will affect anyone else.

The usual hysterical, but predictable, rantings about how this decison will lead society into condoning polygomy or paedophaelia is ridiculous, considering both these terrible practices are against the law and punishable by jail.

Should 2 consenting homosexual adults decide to get married, no one in their right mind will put them in jail! It won't affect anyone else at all.

I know you are religious, but I believe a 2000+ year old book written by humans who say they believe in invisible beings in the sky, should not be ruling our present dsy society in any way.
Politics and religion shohld not be mixed at all in our secular country.

Suse, thanks for the support, I can understand people are worried that this would mean a foot in the door for all and any, but I also think that they need to credit us with a little common sense.

runner, I don't see anything wrong with polygamy as long as all party's involved are been treated as equals and all are happy and none are forced into it. As to children been married I was engaged at 17 (married at 18) by choice however I would not condone children been married as they are unable to know enough to make that kind of decision. What I am trying to say is, if someone is old enough and informed enough to want a certain type of relationship with another person wanting the same type of relationship why shouldn't they?

As to the religious side of things and the argument of "It would threaten what my marriage stands for" What of divorce? Sadly marriage vows don't seem to mean the same thing anymore, but it has nothing to do with "Gay" marriage.

OUG, I think you are disagreeing with me? Maybe, I'm sorry, I don't mean to misunderstand you.