[Neets]

So ya cried eh?

[rdb3]

Ten, nine, eight...

[Jim Robinson]

People are always crying at weddings. There must be a reason.

[Jim Robinson]

Hope it wasn't a shotgun wedding.

[Cinnamon Girl]

You are not a frum Jew. Please clear out.

[facedown]

Oy vey!

[RWR8189]

Definitley breaking news.

Back to the DUmp with you.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

A trolling we shall go. A trolling we shall go. Hi ho the derry 'o, a trolling we shall go.

[ChadGore]

Re: "Am I the only . . "

Yes!

[chance33_98]

For me it has nothing at all to do with religion - though the left wants others to think that is the reason some of us are opposed.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Oy vey! You don't sound authentically verklempt to be a real Jew -- but the Jewish-sounding name was a nice (albeit somewhat heavyhanded) touch.

[utahagen]

If this guy is an Orthodox Jew, I'm a Shiite Muslim. Give me a break. He's like all those "I'm-a-Republican-but" folks who backed Bill CLinton during the Monica fiasco. Those people weren't real Republicans and this dude is not an Orthodox Jew.

[ChadGore]

[Senator Pardek]

...religious conservative cries at gay marriages...

I cried at the last gay wedding I attended. The decor at the reception hall was soooooo gauche!

[Future Snake Eater]

Take a hike, supposed "conservative." I'm getting married in about a week and a half and I'm appalled by the mocking of the commitment I'm making by these queers. They can live happily back in the closet. I've had it with being "accepting" of their lifestyle.

[johniegrad]

Am I the only religious conservative to have had such a revelation or are there others who have been forced to rethink their beliefs by experiences like these?

Good question. I vote for you being the only religious pseudoconservative to have had such a pseudorevelation.

[LuigiBasco]

Poof!

[Neets]

I wept.

Yea?

Well so did this phoney

[Iron Eagle]

Bob:

Thank you for your thoughtful post. I hope you are not automatically flamed.

Your passionate struggle with this difficult issue is understandable.

There are many here who will talk about the act, the sin etc. All of which are legitimate concerns. In the end, the issue is really about a state's right to set a standard of preferred activity, and to reward that activity with privileges consistent with a desire to create incentives. Plainly stated, the state still rightfully see the best family circumstance as one that involves the marriage of a man and a woman, living together, educated, and raising a family. Statistically, that group provides the best benefit to the state and society, irrespective of the tons of examples where the norm is bad.

Marriage, is a privilege. The state cannot and does not, and should not prevent people from living how they wish. Unmarried couples may cohabitate. People may live together and care for each other with out sex, e.g. brothers and sisters, and gays and lesbians may live together as well. But, when a group comes to the state, and asks for a special recognition, the state should have the right to determine who should receive such a recognition.

Discrimination would be preventing couple from living together. That is different from such a couple looking for special recognition and benefits.

I know gay and lesbian couples that live productive lives and are community servants. I know married couples who should be jailed for what they have done to each other and their children. Thus, when a couple dedicate themselves to each other, and treat each other with respect. I think that is great. BUT, I still believe a state has the right to set a high standard in an effort to encourage and give support to the best possible family circumstance. Accordingly, gay "marriage" conflicts with the states ability to do that. In my principled opinion, this is no different than denying benefits and privileges to those who cohabitate, or even those that live and care for each other in a platonic relationship. Those relationships do not rise to the standard that we try to set for our communities.

That is why this issue is so tough for those of us that look at the issue dispassionately. This coming from a pro-life, conservative, married catholic father of three.

Regards

[grellis]

I have searched my heart and mind for any conservative value that conflicts with acts of assuming responsibility for another person and a relationship under law that I have seen.

I might be just a lowly Catholic, but don't Jews obey G-d's law?