Great decision!

No I don’t see this ruling changing anything at all in the rest of the country. California is one of the most liberal states. Not many states are as liberal or will be as liberal any time soon. Definitely not any in the Bible belt or where the law of the land revolves around religion.

Go California!!! Now if only the rest of the nation would be so intelligent as to realize that two people in love deserve the same rights, privileges, and courtesies no matter what their gender preference may be.

Good Day for those in California! Everyone has to right to respect and happiness in their life! When two adults consent to be happy and married, they should have that right!
If religion teaches there is but only ONE GOD, and that ONE GOD made everything on Heaven and Earth Equally. Then what God makes and joins together, let not any man/woman tear apart!

This is fantastic news! It’s a great step forward for civil rights and equality. Hopefully, other states will follow this trend.
One think about this blog piece really struck a chord- the line, “One can only think that there are probably plenty of same sex couples who would like to have their annulled marriages once again made official.”
“One can only think,” “probably,” “would like!” There was such a strange ease about that sentence!
I can’t help but think that if the phrase “same sex” were taken out, you’d have a piece people would be up in arms about, angry with the lack of outrage regarding any kind of nullification of a heterosexual marriage.
The sooner people put their prejudices behind them, the better. Same-sex relationships are in no way less meaningful, legitimate, or worthy of legal protection than their heterosexual counterparts.

great , maybe cats and dogs can get married now to.

Maritza

Hurray! One step forward for America.

There may be those who fear this will become a republican wedge issue in November. If voters, even conservative voters, can allow themselves to get distracted from the economy and the war, then I hope that democrats will unify at last to seize the moral highground from a culture of hate to a culture of acceptance; not just relating to gays and lesbians, but also against racism and sexism. After all, waht would Jesus do?

This is great news!

I don’t support same-sex marriage but they have the right to do so under the constitution. To reject some one freedom or right is un-constitutional and its outrage.

Tis a Shame. Gay is a personal choice of sexual preferences. It should not be take for anything more.

this is a devastating blow to society.

It will be awhile before gay marriages are sanctioned in mainstream churches, but many Americans already choose to be married by judges and justices of the peace. In Europe, in fact, churches do not have legal authority to marry people, so church weddings are post-marriage events that take place after a visit to the town hall for the legal marriage.

Congratulations to the people of California. Once again, they are proving to be the bell-weather of the U.S., bringing America forward into the same century as such countries as Spain, Canada, and South Africa!

why is it so hard to understand that everyone thats everyone is equal under the law, this country is full of diffrent people and different views, thats why everyone is equal and no one has control over someone else or their views, we have come so far and we dont need to go back

I’ve lived in California all my life- both the Bay Area and in LA - and I think this is great. I’m glad that we are an open-minded, liberal state. I couldn’t live in a place that wasn’t.

Adults should be able to live their lives however, and with whomever, they choose. Same sex couples who are committed to each other should be allowed the same rights as anyone else. Whether it’s called “marriage” or “civil union” or whatever, it’s a matter of legal rights.

I think that people do not completely understand the whole picture. How married couples have certain rights, insurance benefits, tax benefits, etc. that same sex couples don’t have. That’s not fair. I don’t look at this as a sexual subject - it is a civil rights issue.

As an American by birth and Canadian by marriage to my wonderful husband of 16 years, I can only say: “Welcome to the 21st Century, America! (or California, at least)” The arguements will continue to rage as long as there are people with strong opinions on the issue, but isn’t that what makes enlightened societies great? Let’s finally put this worn out issue to bed and focus on the real issues, like what is actually endangering the welfare of children - poor parenting - and how we are going to manage to get food on the table, no matter whom we love!

But once again, for better or worse, San Francisco is in the limelight of the national focus.

I’m very happy to hear about this ruling and hopefully most of the couples whose marriages were annulled will take the step to make them official once again. I was born in San Francisco and have always been proud of that city’s progressive stance on social issues.

Good for California. Too long has our government been influenced by “christian” fundamentals. We are a nation of laws and liberties. Iran’s government is run by a theocracy, not ours. More supreme court decisions like this are needed to strike down the religious theocrats that are trying to corrupt the American government. No place in legislature for religion. If you think it is, then your church needs to start paying taxes.

I wonder what this will mean for immigrants? does this mean that a gay illegal immigrant married to a citizen will have the same rights to file for citizenship, as a heterosexual.

If you’re going to make same-sex marriage legal, why shouldn’t we make polygamy legal? Why should we restrict polygamists’ rights to their own sexuality?

A great moment in history. Makes you feel there is truly a hope in the world. Equality for ALL.

Fantastic news - my partner and I were married in San Francisco in 2004 - now maybe we can do it again and it will finally stay legally recognized. It is nice not to be considered second class citizens by the Great State of California. The power of love really does live…

Way to go California…Maybe the rest of the nation will follow……..

Why don’t you heterosexual who oppose gay marriage stay out of it? It doesn’t involve you, has nothing to do with you, and never will.

xtina, chicago May 15th, 2008 6:29 pm ET
If you’re going to make same-sex marriage legal, why shouldn’t we make polygamy legal? Why should we restrict polygamists’ rights to their own sexuality?

Uh, did you read the ruling of why the justices made this ruling?

Try going and looking at the facts of a ruling before put your ignorance on display and annoy others.

There may be those who fear this will become a republican wedge issue in November. If voters, even conservative voters, can allow themselves to get distracted from the economy and the war, then I hope that democrats will unify at last to seize the moral highground from a culture of hate to a culture of acceptance; not just relating to gays and lesbians, but also against racism and sexism. After all, waht would Jesus do?

Well, Jesus might point out that it wasn’t a liberal court who made this ruling, but a conservative one that was largely appointed by Republicans, and on this ruling specifically:

This decision was 4-3, and three of the four people who supported marriage equality were appointed by conservative Republican governors. In fact, the Chief Justice George, in writing the opinion for the majority, was appointed by Republican governor Pete Wilson.
The justices concurring with Republican appointed Chief Justice George were the following:
Werdegar: Appointed by Republican Governor Pete Wilson
Kennard: Appointed by Republican Governor George Deukmejian
Moreno: Appointed by Democratic Governor Gray Davis
And on the dissenting side, there were two dissenting Republican appointed justices, and one Democratic appointed dissenting (and partially concurring) opinion.
This decision was not made by liberal activist judges. It was mostly made by , and the opinion fully written by Republican appointed justices with the common decency to recognize the real meaning of civil rights.

Yeah, I’m thinking that Jesus would go out and let people know the truth. Feel free to follow in the ways of the Lord yourselves, folks.

Something that seems to be overlooked is a comment that the California Supreme Court made at the end of its ruling. The Court stated that the Equal Protection Clause in the California Constitution requires equal treatment between gays and straights. Thus, the law requires either (1) that NOBODY in California be entitled to marriage, or (2) that gays and straights BOTH be entitled to marriage. The Supreme Court decided that Option #2 was best in line with the wishes of the people of California, and thus, it ordered marriage to be allowed between same-sex couples.

In November, it is presumed that a proposition will qualify for the ballot defining marriage under the California Constitution as being only between one man and one woman. If that Proposition is on the ballot and passes, the Equal Protection Clause remains in effect and would still require equal treatment among gays and straights. Since the new definition of marriage would prohibit the law from recognizing gay marriages, the Equal Protection Clause would therefore compel Option #1.

That is, under today’s Supreme Court ruling, if the anticipated anti-gay-marriage proposition passes in November, NOBODY would be permitted to be married in California.

Let’s see how the “Family First” groups react to that! LOL!

This is just a special interest group trying to accomplish with a judicial “decree” what they couldn’t accomplish at the polls.

I think it’s ironic that the same folks who condemn same sex marriage are uncharacteristically mum when it comes to commenting on the polygamous sect that professes it’s okay to for underage women in children to marry and have sex with men many times their age. What a hypocritical country.

A bad day in the history of America, shame

America takes another great step towards the fulfillment of the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Thank God! I moved to this state so I could domestically partner with my girlfriend of 7 years….well now we can marry! All the more better for us!

I guess Cali is asking for another major earhtquake.Now you might want to start moving. Another great earthquake is on the way to punish Sodom and Gomorah.

Talk about economic stimulus - this is great for the economy. Marriages (and divorces, might I add) keep lots of sectors of the economy healthy and contribute to sales tax collections! We need this!

What’s the problem? Why are people targets for discrimnation just for being themselves and refusing to conform to some social convention? The thing about society is that, in general, society as a whole plays a key role in pressuring individuals to confrom to whatever they want. Society has the power to outcast any individual, or groups of individuals, who do not act according to what everyone else is doing.

Are we not all human beings? is it not the first ammendemtn right to freely express yourself? and is it not the 14th amendment right that gurantees that the state has to follow due process? Denying someone the right to express themselves, to express how much they love someone, regardless of gender, through marriage is unconstitutional. California is among the first of the states to recognize this, Massachussets is the first.

And the reason the ballot measures keep getting rejected is that the majority of the voting population that votes is largely middle aged voters who tend to be a bit conservative. in order for things to change younger people need to care enough about the issues to actually make the world a better place to live in. times are changing. Voters have to change too.

I am a christain conservative,and believe it or not I think that todays ruling is not a bad thing. I would like to suggest however, now that the gay population can legally marry and have rights in califonia I wish they would stop the behavior that makes people uncomfortable…all of the crazy behavior at the parades and what not. I know that the majority of this population are upstanding people and deserve respect. If they are hard working americans and raising a family they should act the part.

I fail to see how 2 men or 2 women getting married can affect a marriage between and man and a woman. Love is love.

How can they say same sex marriage will ruin the marriage institution? I find it funny how people can sit back and watch “The Bachelor”, a reality show where strangers compete to get married for nothing more than show ratings while at the same time judging a couple who genuinely love each other.

Anderson, when guys like Tony Perkins raise the issue of “the children” in discussion of same sex marriage, why don’t you ask him why he’s not working hard to ban divorces among couples with children??

Homosexuality is a CHOICE. How can you give people the RIGHT to make this choice. I don’t believe that you can be GAY unless you act on it. A murderer isn’t a murderer, no matter what he thinks, until he acts out and commits a murder. You choose to be GAY, why make the rest of the world accept the choices you make. Kids should not be placed in families with 2 DADS or 2 MOMS. I won’t teach my children to tolerate it and that is not discrimination nor is GAY rights a Civil Right like Blacks had to take in the 1960’s. Thanks for the space to share my opinion.

Hey, you guys, Canada legalized gay marriage over two years ago. Look what happened. You still haven’t heard of us. So, go for it. The sky will definitely not fall in.

Roberta and Dave

I think this was an INCORRECT DECISION because this is “One Nation Under God,” and doesn’t the “Bible” say in the beginning there was Adam “male” and Eve “female”? Their was no other man or other woman to be gay with. So it is not natural is it? Finally we are not made physically for the same sex. I have no clue how people started being gay literally. Also there is no reason for any Christan to think this is moral because the “Bible” clearly says it’s not.

I simply do not understand all the hoopla over this–IT IS NONE OF THE GOVERNMENTS BUSINESS–for a country that was founded on the principal of “small government” we have certainly gone a long way towards controlling every part of the citizenry’s private lives. It is not my business what is going on in the house next to me and it is none of your business what I do in my house–remember your rights stop at the end of my nose and, likewise, mine stop at the end of your’s.

During the AIDS crisis of the eighties I read a news story about how the parents of very ill gay men were preventing their son’s friends and lovers from visiting the patient in the hospital. These unfortunate young men died alone because their parents good not deal with their son’s “lifestyle”. The story mad me so angry I, a straight woman, thought “there outta be a law”. Then I realized there was one. Marriage would have protected those unfortunates from dying alone. I’ve been fighting for same-sex marriage ever since. Today is a good, no glorious, day.

Dan Savage definitely made the strongest case–by far.

Same sex marriage is a matter of fairness and treating people equally. Bans against it are based on ignorance, hatred, or fear. Nothing more, nothing less.

God put gay people on the earth just as He did straight people. He expects everyone to be treated equally. To claim any different is just plain bigoted and dishonest.

What a historic day! As a parent of gay children, I am so thankful that they will have their God given right to be treated as equals.

Anderson this does not surprise me since the Bible talks about this in Romans 1:26 &27

“That is why God abandonded them to their shameful desires, even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men instead of having normal sexual relations with women burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

Marriage is a legal contract that only works with two people who are fit to enter in to and carry out the rights and responsibilities of that contract. This ruling will not open the door to polygamy as the contract covers only two people.

As to the nonsense that it will allow a person to legally marry a goat. This is the bizarre fantasy of people who cannot fathom the separation of church and state. Personally I wouldn’t be a member of a church that sanctioned goat/human marriage.

Show me a goat that can execute the responsibilities of the marriage contract, and we’ll talk about changing the law.

Go CA, this is a wonderful day with hopes this will fully pass and flow to the rest of the USA, keep the religion and political leaders out of it and let adults live there lives as they see fit and with whom they love. anyone who opposes this needs to check themselves and get out of other peoples faces and deal with there likely miserable lives.
Poligamy is another story having sex with minors is is outrageous and the only reason these cults exsist is do these men can have there way with many women, children and make beieve this is OK, these are nothing else but macho freaks.

Casey Morris, please do not accuse others of ignorance. The decision is over 90 pages long. Have you read it? I have. The decision states that history and tradition alone cannot justify a ban on gay marriage. However, in footnote 52, the majority conclusorily states that past court decisions (ie history) have stated that polygamy and incest are antithetical to American “culture.” So the court says history cannot justify a ban on gay marriage but history alone justifies a ban on incest and gay marriage. Putting the court’s broad strokes of Footnote 52 aside, the court’s ruling paves the way for a gay man to marry his gay son. Or for a gay man to marry his two gay sons. If it’s merely a question of freedom and sexual preference, there is no reason why a gay, polygamous, incestuous marriage should not be legal.

No need to worry. This decision will be overturned by an Amendment to the California Constitution this fall. Sadly this decision could also spell doom for the Obama campaign if the GOP can make it an issue as they did in 2004.

Anderson, who was the gentleman who was on at the same time as David Savage?

Chris Morris, your conundrum would be solved easily by an Amendment to the California Constitution that states marriage is between one man and one woman. Any EQ clause problems are avoided by an explicit definition by an AMENDMENT.

Right this is really important. I think we should cut to a jag commercial.

The equal protection clause was NEVER meant to mean that all laws treat all people equally. If this were so, then any law that discriminated against MINORS based on their age would violate the Equal Protection Clause. No one would argue seriously that age restrictions such as those surrounding drivers’ license are violations of the EPC.

The EPC of the US Constitution has nothing to do with redefining marriage.

This decision is destined to have a short half-life. It will be overturned by a CA constitutional amendment this fall.

What next people that want to marry their pets will begin asking for their voice to be heard. This in no way advances societal values in America.

The simple truth is LOVE IS PURE. That is all that needs to be said.

GO CALIFORNIA!!! This is the best news i’ve heard all day. At the end of the day i sleep better knowing this.

GREAT JOB CALIFORNIA!!

It’s quite a shame the religious right is yet again using it’s interpretation of moralilty to try to deny rights to millions of people. They supported slavery, they supported keeping women second class citizens, they were againt civil rights for ethnic minorities, they’ve waged wars and slaughtered scores of people, all in the name of Christianity. Using the Bible as a weapon, a basis for bigotry, and as something to invoke fear and hatred in people is flatly immoral. They need to re-exmaine Christ’s teachings more closely. Christ never spoke about the issue. He however did speak profusely about zealots.

Being gay is NOT a choice. To all those straight people who think that way I say this to you:

What you are saying is you are sexually attracted to both men and women and you CHOOSE to be with a woman.

PLease don’t let Tony Perkins back on the show. He is disappointing.

It is about time!! I am a over 60 female who wishes that the politicians and lawyers would stay out of our bedrooms! I fully support this law and allow people to have civil unions (marriages) and full legal rights. I am pleased that the justices in California have had the courage to stand up to the biased and prejudiced people!

Same sex marriage is just flat out wrong….not only morally, but think about what could happen over the next 10,20 years…..is it conceiveable that people could start getting married for financial gains, tax breaks etc. Mayor Newsome said he was Irish/Catholic….with way the Catholic priest have been behaving I can see why he would support something immoral. I know that America has a small atheist population and I’m sure there not all gay…..so has anyone read the story of Sodom and Gamora.

Gay marriage legalized?? Its about time!! Homosexuality is not an alternative lifestyle, its an orientation that people happen to have, and God loves all His people. If God did not like homosexuals how come people are born gay, or know that they are gay from a young age? I don’t know everything, but I know that citizens have the right to the same rights as everyone else.

I am proud to live in a state, California, that has finally made the right decision!! Although I am not gay, I do have gay friends, with beautiful children I might add, and I am so happy for those gay couples who can finally get married.

As far as those people who are so strongly against this ruling, LEAVE California and go to one of those good ol’ bible belt states!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s because of states like California that Democrats keep losing the presidential elections. I’m a Democrat, and I’m severely opposed to comparisons of homosexuality with race, especially with being black. Your mayor says ‘this is the future”. I guess I agree with him with regards to the gradual devaluation of morality as time passes. I love my dog but I’m not going to marry her either. Maybe I should make the case for that too. I expect some people to understand and I’m aware of those who obviously will never agree. They’ll probably be taking full advantage of this ruling the first opportunity they get. Sad. The Republican Party lives on because of states like California. I get the “freaking liberals” sentiment now.

I am very happy with my state of California’s decision today, and I hope that other states will follow. A ban on gay marriage is discrimination, plain and simple! It’s just not fair that so many law-biding citizens have to hide their lifestyle (as in the military) or are denied the same rights as everyone else. It’s 2008, and this new generation is determined to make discrimination a thing of the past!

RP — you’re right that this COULD be a solution in the future, but the Proposition has already been drafted and submitted for verification of signatures. It is too late to change the Proposition’s language. The proposition that will likely be on the ballot in November does not include language to address the EQ problem.

Re: my above comment..I am a married hetrosexual and still support the decision!

Homosexuality is at worst caused by a dysfunctional brain and at best, a learned response. Marriage should be a legal contract between a man and a woman. I have old fashion character traits and feel this is wrong.
Can a cowboy marry his horse, an old lady marry her cat or a hunter marry his dog? Disgusting. There is love there too.
Our moral values are going down the drain.

I can only hope the rest of the country will follow suit and be this progressive. This gives me hope!

William wow, let me take a couple minutes to prove you wrong, what you just said was that everyone in the world is gay and also a murderer. Being homosexul is not a choice, why would people “choose” a life that results in intolerance, being second class citizens, the threat of being killed, and assaulted. What is so bad about being raised by two dads or 2 moms allowing gay people to adopt kids will lower the rates of kids in adoptions agencies, and group homes., I feel sorry for your children they should be taking away from you if your teaching them to discrimiate against gay people and yes it is discrimination I dont care what you think. It can be compared to African American civil rights because its pretty much the same thing, blacks were and still are being killed for being black, gay people the same thing the list can go on, and it took the rest of th world a while to open there eyes to see that there is nothing wrong with it.

You can debate forever over the small little things about homosexual’s, but what it comes down to is that honosexual people are regular people there your friends, teachers, pastors, etc, and should and will have every right as heterosexual people.

Cheers

First of all, I see someone wanting to know why people have the right to be gay, FREEDOM OF CHOICE & CIVIL LIBERTY LAWS.I am very happy to see Cali is allowing gay marriage, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.Why isnt Polygamy legal, well first off its NOT a sexual preference, its adult men who should know better, marrying more than one woman, some of them women are MINORS idiot.I dont care if this is one nation under god or one nation under a hundred gods, and I certainly dont care what the bible says, mainly because its WRONG, and the bible like society today because of the bible is full of discrimination and hatred, mainly by christians, lest we forget, the bible is what like 3 thousand or more years old, sorry get caught up with the times, grow up and remember jesus was born in JERUSILUM as I recall, that would be in the MIDDLE EAST, if you prefer to worship someone who promotes hatred thats your business, just like two men or two women who want to marry, well that is NONE of your business, they dont try to ban Christianity so leave them alone or I’ll find a way to ban it myself.stop the hatred, you have more in common with them than you think.Live your bible reading minds for 5 minutes and get to know someone who is gay.My best friend is gay and it doesnt bother me in the slightest, before I know him I was like you guys, but hey 5 minutes of conversation may change your closed mind, maybe it wont but either way, I think you need to end your hatred, and I know at least half of you so called moral christians will disagree with me but thats fine I dont care, I’m not Christian ( anymore) after seeing how much hatred there really is.For all my gay and lesbian friends out there CONGRATS my wife and I wish you nothing but the very best ( I am male by the way) and to the so called high moral christians, thanks for showing me the light and how much hatred there is within all of you, and I’ll just stick to being a even higher moral ATHIEST.again CONGRATS to the gay community, I hope more states will follow in the foot steps of Cali.

THIS IS UNREAL AND IS CERTAINLY NOT A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT! IT IS A SAD REGRESSION. If love is love then what next, marrying our pets. How is it that we live unto ourselves and do not consider the consequences of these choices and decisions and laws that we make. These laws are made at the most base level of life. Do we even consider that each one of us will have to give an account for the deeds we do in our flesh. We do not live unto ourselves. Our actions influence others and when the scales of blindness is removed from your eyes the damage would have already been done. Oh yes God is loving and merciful but this seems to be a blatent call for judgement. For a nation has forsaken it’s God and has hewned for itself broken cisterns that can hold no water. Please cry out for mercy and repent of this evil. Marriage is about covenant and God when He saw that Adam was alone created/ brought Eve to him, not Steve! People, what is this burning all about. I decree and declare that God will sweep His hand across this nation and remove the blinders from your eyes to repent and allow revival by the Spirit of God to come to your Spirit, Soul and Body! As the Lord Jesus Christ declared Lazarus Come Forth, I declare that you will come forth from this lifestyle and carry the torch of the Lord to set others free!

Gay marriage became legal in Canada and the existing government of the day began discussions on how polygamy should be legal for the very same reasons that gay marriage became legal. Luckily, the government was defeated before they could mess up our country any further! Once the first hurdle is overcome, it’s only a matter of time before polygamy, marrying children and marrying close blood relatives become fair game using the exact same argument that the gay community used. After all, wouldn’t it be unconstitutional to allow it with one population, and not another!

Herman, NY

You are so right. The Bible teaaches that homosexual practices are wrong. Your Biblical reference was correct. I want to add two more.

O.T. Leviticus 18:22:”You shall not lie with a male as with a woman;
such a thing is an abomination.”

N.T. 1 Corinthians 6:9: “Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolitors not adulterers nor homosexuals nor sodomites…will inherit the kingdom of God.”

I wonder how many of these people are Christians who do not know or do not understand these statements. God have mercy on them!

Living in Colorado Springs is difficult for any liberal minded person. The churches rule here - they rule even our city council. I am thrilled at the CA decision and hope this begins to catch on all over the country - equality, love and freedom for ALL. God Bless America.

According to the family rights people, I guess my brother and I should have many problems. We were raised with only a mother and helped by her female friends. So as adults we should have major emotional and social problems. To bad we are both college graduates that are married for over 10 years own homes and have good paying jobs. And to top it off the majority of the married families that were my mothers friends have adult children that are unmarried with children and bad relationships, as well as, low paying jobs with no college diplomas.

If these peoples argument is for the preservation of marriage then I suggest they bring that argument to the straight couples. As for the children’s welfare, then why aren’t they doing more to improve education, food, and healthcare for children. Maybe if these groups were making tremendous strides in these areas then we might listen to them a little more. Until then, I think they need to stop throwing stones cause us straight people are no better at it then gay or lesbians.

WAY TO GO CALIFORNIA!!!

As we’ve already seen, very uneducated, ignorant or just plain stupid people are going to bring up the idea about marrying animals or for polygamy! If churches don’t want to marry gay folks, they don’t have to, but you can’t legally tell one group of people they can marry and another group they can’t, especially when the one group can marry as many times as they want (forget until death do us part). They used the same stupid arguments with interracial marriage and it didn’t work. And, what’s the deal with letting Tony Perkins speak on behalf of the religious right? Isn’t he the one who was having an affair with a gay man just last year? The irreligious right is going to make this an issue in this election like they did four years ago and look where that got us.

Also, when someone like Perkins makes a statement about studies that “prove” marriage is down in England and other European countries because they instituted gay marriage, someone should challenge him and DEMAND the studies so we can see for ourselves. The problem is that too many Americans have given up their God-given right to think for themselves. The church has been wrong on this issue like it’s been wrong about the flat earth, earth being the center of the universe, witches, etc. When are we going to learn our lesson and stop listening to people like Perkins, Robertson, Focus on the Family, or the latest dud (Hagee), who apparently has no regard for one of the seven deadly sins, namely gluttony? It’s time for the silent majority of non-judgmental Christians to kindly tell our loud-mouthed brothers to keep their hatred, prejudice and self-righteousness to themselves and do some real praying and reflection on what it is to be a real Christian and to believe in a God of Love rather than of fear!

If you’re really serious about “saving marriage” stop drinking and using drugs, stop beating your spouses, stop going out on your spouse, stop abusing each other physically, mentally and emotionally, and stop having sex with your own children; get a darn job, spend time with your spouse, respect and support one another and last, but not least, pass an amendment that outlaws divorce! If a happily married gay couple is ruining your marriage, you were a loser to start with! Please, let’s not go through this again!

Anthony, Oregon>Hatred and bigotry are learned behaviors. Both of these behaviors are un-natural and self-destructive. No doubt, you have confused religion and God, which are two unqiue and independent subjects. Gay is not a lifestyle nor is it a choice, which you imply. Being gay is how many of us are born and how we came out of the womb. It is how God made us. I suggest you have a serious chat with God and direct your bigotry and hatred to God, because you have implied that God is imperfect–take it up with him (or her).

xtina, chicago
“This is just a special interest group trying to accomplish with a judicial “decree” what they couldn’t accomplish at the polls.”

Correction. This is how our Constitution works. Even the conservative, Republican-appointed judges can’t argue with the Constitution.

Please don’t equate this with the civil rights movement. When an African American woman from the University of Toledo expressed her outrage at such a comparison, she was suspended from her job. So much for tolerance!!

The Constitution is a living document that must evolve to agree with the time we live in. There are Supreme Court cases from the late 19th century that clearly state African-American people are property to be owned along with land. If we did not allow for change, where would we be today? Still counting African-Americans as 3/5 of a person?

This is not a religious issue. This is civil rights. This is entitling all US citizens to equal protection and not having their rights abridged without due process. The supreme court has said since the beginning that marriage is a fundamental right. And those are the rights that need to be protected….for ALL citizens.

While some people might not agree with a homosexual lifestyle, you must stop and think about whether you are willing to take FUNDAMENTAL rights away from people for living a lifestyle different than your own.

I only hope this starts the snowball slowly rolling down the hill. One day I hope to read a similar story about the US supreme court.

seah ohio
“T”is a Shame. Gay is a personal choice of sexual preferences. It should not be take for anything more.

this is a devastating blow to society.”

Just for clarification Seah, no one choses to be gay. A truly devastating blow to society is the shameful act of parents and role models brainwashing children with thoughts of bigotry and hatred.

You see the problem is, not everybody is Christian. I’m not. And i think that religion and government should remain seperate entities… any form of moral legislature is not welcome, and should not be tolerated. we live in a diverse country… everybody has their own opinions, their own values, their own prejudices… and to try to force people into accepting or not accepting someone elses values is not right and it doesn’t help.

Using the Bible as an argument is not supportive enough… the bible isn’t a legal document, and no offense, it has no place or merit in government. Any religious text, whether it be the Torah, the Qu’ran, the Bible, or any other eligious texts, such as the Upanishads… don’t represent american goverment. This isn’t a moral issue…. its an issue of love, and if a religion limits the expression of love (marriage) to a man and a woman… thats fine a dandy. But the Goverment isn’t a religion…its there to represent the people that live within its borders. all people. without discrimination.

Chris (from Canada),

William didn’t say every gay person is a murderer. He said homosexual acts are voluntary acts, as murder is a voluntary act. He could have used any voluntary act as an example. Gay marriage is not about gay people having the same rights as heterosexual people. Gay people have the right to marry anyone they want of the opposite sex, just like everyone else. Gay marriage is about creating new rights that have not previously existed, and doing so under the guise of equal protection and tolerance.

first of all - keep your religious sniveling to yourself. Not everyone believes those myths.

As a gay college student, I’m incredibly grateful that the job of getting equal treatment for the queer community has been set in motion and that I will be the beneficiary sometime down the road. Gosh, doesn’t it rock to be living in 2008?

Also, I’ve been trying to figure out where gay marriage detracts from straight marriage. These men and women were gay even before they were allowed to wed. They weren’t going to be in straight relationships, they were going to be in gay relationships with no rights. The numbers really stay the same now, except that gays (in Cali, at least) now can make their partnerships a tad more meaningful.

Too bad that some Californians can’t read. There is no constitutionally protected right for people to get married. Marriage is not a right. It is a privelege. So this gay argument that it is their constitutional right guaranteeing marriage is non-existent.

Wow I think people hiding behind their bibles are insane…maybe it’s the paper mites. How can you compare 2 women or 2 men to animals. Someone said it’s like a cowboy marrying his horse. What in the world? How do you compare a human to a horse. Maybe you should have put ur bible down in school and learned that they are two different species.

As long as we don’t marry at your church or in ur backyard…why should you care? When you are outside walking when you pass by two people holding hands you don’t know if they are married or not. Nobody walks around with a marriage license strapped to their chest. You will never know who is married and when they married so why does it matter. Whether we can marry or not we will still walk around just like we do now and you will never know if we are married or not…consider that.

I will never understand how people sit back and think this is a great country…i’m not sure it is when millions of people are discriminated against just because religious people don’t like their ideals. This country was founded because people wanted to escape persecution. Well that’s what gay and lesbian people are suffering. We are being persecuted. So I think I get it! One religion didn’t like the way they were being treated so they started a whole new country so they could hate, be cruel and persecute other people with different beliefs. What a crock of crap.

As for you bible thumpers that say God is against gays and lesbians. Well he is also against you being a judge. I thought that was his job…i’m sure he won’t like ya’ll stepping in on his job.

yea california!!

hypocrisy and discrimination exists in many aspects. The definition marriage and the methods of entering a marriage also vary. If marriage needs to be sanctioned by a church, then why are marriages performed by a justice of the peace recognized, and in some states, why are common law marriages recognized? These are recognized in opposite sex couples. However, when same sex couples meet the same requirements, they are not recognized as married.
I am glad that California has taken this step.
As to a “family”. Family has many definitions…even single parent families exist. However, a child being raised by 2 loving adults is better than a single adult, accordiing to social scientists. However, there is no difference if both adults are of the same sex.
Equal rights and recognition of those rights needs to be provided to all couples, whether of same sex or opposit sex.
Many opposit sex couples choose to live together without the benefit of “marriage”. Same sex couples should be allowed the choice of the benefit of “marriage”.

I fail to see how anyone wishing to commit to another endangers traditional marriage. This is an absurd conclusion.

NOW THEy can go through nasty divorces and pay the ex forever. The thrill of getting this to be legal will be something to miss. I do believe in God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve…and get this..I’m just an ole hippie from the Mountains of Colorado and California. Liberal as they get but I see through things like Obama..Next 4 years. Maybe. We try to stop thinking of what are very core feelings are so hard that we think ourselves into someone we are not.

I am dissappointed yet again in an activist court that goes above and beyond the ruling at hand to try to legislate. In this case, they are trying to legislate for not just California, but other states as well. I am also sorry to see our governor bow to pressure. I encourage everyone to read not only the decision, but the dissenting opinion as well. Please don’t stoop to assuming another’s position comes from ignorance. Comments such as Mr. Savage’s “Pee in the wedding cake batter” serve only to flame emotions, and do not add to intelligent discourse. Of course this decision affects every American, it affects the social climate, it affects the contract of marriage by redefining it. This will undoubtedly be challenged not only at the ballot box, but in other forums.

What’s this world coming to. Why can’t the government make decisions on important issues? Find a way to lower gas prices or find a way to feed the children in the U. S. that are starving. This same sex marriage issue is getting old. If GOD wanted us to marry someone of the same sex he would of made only one sex, not two. Marriage is a union between one man and one woman. NOT a man and man or a woman and a woman. Being gay is a choice! What gives the gays to have the same rights as married couples? What about the heterosexual couples that live together. These couples don’t get the same rights as married couples and they are committed to each other as a married couple! So why should people who say they are homosexual have that right? It’s wrong, just plain wrong!

If you read the three State Supreme CT. opinions on same-sex marriage issue, in all opinions the court has ruled the importance of marriage as an institution, for rearing children, benefits, etc.. And yet, it is most significant that there is absolutely NO protection for heterosexual marriages. Under ‘no-fault’ divorce or rather state sponsored forced divorce operation, 40 million divorces since 1970’s and the research shows that in 80% of those cases, one person was forced to divorce by the state. In unilateral divorce, the importance of the marriage and family is not upheld.
Case in Florida where the woman was sanctioned $15,000 for “dragging her feet” through the divorce process. The woman is a psychologist and wanted to all that she could do to preserve her marriage and family and protect her 13 year old from the life-long psychological impact of divorce but the courts will not hear it or order family therapy. Incredible hypocrisy!

Derick said:
Same sex marriage is just flat out wrong….not only morally, but think about what could happen over the next 10,20 years…..is it conceiveable that people could start getting married for financial gains, tax breaks etc.

Dude, People have been marrying for financial gain for thousands of years. Marrying for love is a new development for civilization.

Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. These are truths that cannot be changed just because we think we have a right to change them.

I am a minister in california, and It is very sad when a state change change marriage to benefit a life style. I watch the show, and I felt very disrespected to hear blacks wanting to marry whites in the past is being compared to same sex marriage I am arican american not by choice not like same sex couples that do have the choice that why I am so glad to live by god way than by the laws of this land becuase god rules dont change to benifit something that was not in his plan. I wonder we schould allow man to marry as many wives as they want if we are so welling to change marriage from men to women to men to men.

I was saved from the homosexual lifestyle after decades of living the lie that homosexuality is. What is “gay” about being driven to having sevral sex partners in a day? Or week? Or year? What is “Gay” about living your life drunk or stoned….because that’s the norm in the homosexuality community. Steambaths, city parks, public restrooms…and now you want to bring little children into it??? What a crock of junk! You are just using these kids to give yourselves a sense of some kind of “normality”. Using them as toys…think of this…if homosexuals were all isolated into “Gay ” colonies…they would be extinct in 50 years. I’m confident that God will have poured His wrath out on those who have rejected Christ by then. I know how hard it is to”wake up” and have the scales fall off your eyes…only God can do it through His love and your repentance. And you can’t repent on your own…you need to ask Him to help you….we all have free will. This dispensation of grace is running out. Where you spend eternity is your choice. Jesus doesn’t take prisoners…He sets them free. God Bless you…and shame on those who made this tradgic ruling.

Thank you California Supreme Court! My partner and I have been waiting 16 years for this! I’m truly thrilled and grateful.

This is against God’s laws, if you don’t know, you should know now!!

I saw the Tony Perkins vs. Dan Savage debate. Tony Perkins essentially stated that gay marriage should not be allowed for the best interest of Califonia’s 9.5 million kids, because he says scientific research shows that kids are better served being with opposite sex marriages.

I would like to ask Tony, if he truly believes this position would he be willing to ban opposite sex marriages if there is clear scientific research that shows gay marriages are better than opposite sex marriages for kids. If he is not willing to do this then he doesn’t actually believe his position.

Gay Marr—-
This is sad, sick, immoral, unconstitutional, very very ill, disgusting, irresponsible.
Not a damn good thing about it what so ever.
The court is out of their wits.
The mayor i have no words to describe this moron.

STRAIT, NORMAL HUMAN BEING DON’T DO SUCH THING.

IF THIS IS ALLOWED THAN WE’RE DOOM

This is my 2nd posting. So why the hell is polygamy still illegal? Free that up too you dumb ass Californians. If I want equal rights for me and 10 consenting women, I should have them, shouldn’t I? It’s legal in some countries too, isn’t it? And while you’re at it, legalize cocaine and marijuana too.

I as a Christian felt very sad that this passed today. I am not against giving 2 people that choose to live together the same rights as a married couple (misc medical benefits, pension plan etc) these are man made laws. What I am against is that they have taken a word “marriage” that is the name given to us by God and turned that word into a mockery. Call it any other word but not a marriage. If they choose to live this way on this earth than so be it because they will never be given eternal life which is what we as Christians know we will have when this life is over. People are living today for this life filled with sin and destruction not by how the Bible instructs and demands us to live. People need to realize God is a loving God but he is also a God to be feared.. he wants us to obey his commandments.. It states very clearly men don’t lie with men and women don’t lie with women so if they don’t worry about eternal life let them have the same rights that apply to married couples as far as mans laws…for Gods laws will apply differently.

All these ppl saying it’s god’s laws god’s will god’s marriage yes i agree and you should do so if your choice is to believe in god. It’s my choice not to believe in god and it shouldn’t concern you. Don’t u get it already that not everybody believe in god. I am so fed up that everything is god related. Can’t you think for yourself ? God tells you when to be born, to die to F***, to get married why don’t god tell you when to shut up ?

As a psychology major, I find it very difficult to ignore the common-sense evidence that a child living with parents of the same sex is adversely affected by the absence of either a male or female parent to
emulate. This is how children develop their sexual identity. It is very sad that the gay and lesbian community lie about this to justify their own sinful lifestyle. The vast majority of Americans believe in the common-sense definition of a family as consisting of one woman, one man, and oh yes, children. The courts should not decide this issue, but the people should. This is why there are 27 states that presently ban same-sex “marriage”. If one studies the family system of a gay or lesbian individual, it is highly likely that he or she was raised in a family with a very weak and passive member of the same sex, so that they could not develop their sexual identity in a healthy way. I challenge us to look at the evidence around us; let’s not lie to ourselves anymore about true truth.

to Jean, IN—-WELL SAID!!
God does not interfer with “free will” but judgement day is coming

Okay, so I did some research, and I am about to reveal to you some evidence that supports what I am talking about. Legal Evidence. Evidence in the highest degree… you can’t dispute it, though you may interpret it differently….you can’t change what it says.

My first argument about freedom of expression is backed up in the following Constitutional Amendment. Thats right, Amendment One.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

So this says that Congress…. and the Goverment cannot establish Religion nor stop people from having one… what this means is that any religious message (morals) cannot be put into law. So… banning someone from having the right to marriage based on their orientation is a moral issue… and if you read the constitution, you’ll see that its supposed to be a secular document.

Also, Freedom of Speech is important here. Getting married is an agreement freely given by two consenting adults… trying to stop someone from getting married is in violation of the first ammendment write. Speech in not just verbal, but written, it is also expression. Showing your love for someone by having a wedding ceremony is expressing your commitment.

To the fellow who is uncomfortable about Gay Prode Festivities… read the first ammendment. there is a little something in there that addresses the citizen’s right to peacefully assemble. you say you are supportive of gay rights, but yet you get weirded out be their open display. if it sickens you then you still have a problem with it. you can always just turn away.

my second argument was that states have to abide by the federal bill of rights in accordance to their own constitutions… within their borders. you can find this little bit in the 14th amendment.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

ha. this means that the federal government is above the state and local governments and that the constitution has to be applied everywhere. if it isn’t in the constitution, then the states can choose whether or not to have a certain law, but if it is, then there is no choice. it says in black and white that no state can deny anyone life liberty and property. people are free to live life as they choose, without fear of discrimination by the government. they are also entitled to property, and joint property should there be marriage. to the person who said that marriage is a privelege, well… doesn’t this amendment say that no state can make any law that abridges the priveleges of the citizens?

You can throw “God” into the equation if you want, but… honestly, if “He” really had a problem with it, wouldn’t “He” make “Himself” known and voice “His” opinions? How do you know what “He” wants? Have you ever had a conversation with the “Almighty”? Does “He” answer back when you pray? how do you know if “He” is really a “she” or some nueter that has yet to be defined? You say that this so-called “God” would not want this to be law, but “He’s” conveniently out of the picture….

also.. the ninth amendment states that

“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

So.. in essence, since the rights are so numerous that they can’t be listed, i think it is safe to say that a person has the right to choose his or her own sexual preference. and the right to privacy, also here, it may not be explicitly stated in any article or ammendment, can be placed in this category. ha-ha!!

As for the Bible… yes, it says something to the effect of Homosexuality is an “abomination”. ok, if you are going to take it literally, well… why are pigs being eaten? it also states that eating pork is an “abomination”… actually i believe it is on the same page as the other one. (i don’t have a bible anywhere near me, so i can’t realy be sure) if you are going to take this book seriously, well… maybe take all of it seriously and literally. perhaps some of you didn’t know that the old testiment of the Bible…. is actually the Jewish Torah? How would you feel if i suggested that Christianity Stems from Judism… and the last two thousand something years it branched, following someone? Religions change. they come from one branch, and then all of a sudden here’s something completely different.

I’m only 18. And i’m not a religious person. in fact, though i respect Religions, i do not choose to partake in one. i personally do not believe that there is this supreme being floating around in the heavens, nor do i believe that tolerance has to be close minded. but if you are going to use your religion as a reason to think a certain way, fine, i understand…. but you have to be respectful of someone elses viewpoints too. we have the freedom of expression…. not one religion is better than anyother… and as an outsider i think i have the nuetrality to suggest that all religions have their faults.

And if being an Atheist makes me gay… well… so be it. i’m into dudes. though i have the wrong parts to be a dude, i’m still a gay man trapped in a woman’s body. you call it heterosexuality, think about it.

Here’s another MORAL shocker… what are you going to do about premarital sex? OMG!!! in the state of california it is illegal for minors to consent to sex with other minors…. oops. kinda broke that law, now didn’t i? i haven’t heard of a california case where to teenagers got in trouble for a little tussel in the bushes… have you? I know that one kid in georgia i think got in trouble… but i think this law violoates the ninth amendment right to privacy…

These comments are fun! I’ve never read such hypocritical, holier than thou nonsense. It seems that there are a lot of people who need to go to a Civics 101 class. Government is not religion. The church has nothing to do with this decision. This is a governmental decision. If your particular church doesn’t want to “marry” homosexual people they won’t have to. But, under the Constitution you have the same rights as everybody else and the government must rule accordingly. You might also want to educate yourself on the facts that homosexuality is not a choice. Maybe your bible-thumping pastor doesn’t know this but an intelligent medical practitioner should. Secondly, where do you people get off equating Homosexuality with Bestiality, Polygamy and even drug abuse? If it didn’t point out your lack of education it would be a joke. You are sad, prejudiced, hypocrites. And “Adam & Steve” … really, that was cute when we were six years old and parroting our parents.
Congratulations to the conservative California Supreme Court for knowing that the Gay Marriage Ban was unconstitutional.

“If churches don’t want to marry gay folks, they don’t have to…”

Great sentiment but once the laws have been opened up, it will soon become illegal to refuse to marry gay couples. Look to Canada for proof of that. We have had several marriage comissioners who have had their licenses revoked because they indicated that because of their religious convictions, they could not marry gay couples. Now whose rights are being trampled on?! The right to religious freedom has now taken a back seat to the rights of <3% of the population. This is the wave of the future, America!

The Commissioners had to choose between Government and their Religion. They worked for the Government and chose their religion over their duty to their job and the law. Their rights were trampled on by themselves, not by outsiders.

Conservatives needed a reason!!
Funny how a Conservative Court is the one to give the Conservatives a reason to come out and vote. Gay marriage are you joking they will get out and vote now with bells on.

First off, being gay is not a lifestyle, being vegan, being environtment friendly, playing sports those are lifestyle. Lets visit the defintion of a lifestyle, “a lifestyle is the way a person lives”. Being gay doesnt define a person who they are, what they do in life defines a person.

For all the god people out there, your pretty quick to take out those quotes from the bible, but do you also practice what you preach, do you follow all of gods rules. Im going to guess no you dont, so stop being a hypocrict.

Paul,- Think of this how often to kids spend at home 50% of there time wheres the other 50% school. So its safe to say that the home is not the only thing that has a influence on the child, in developing there sexual identity. Children also develop there sexual identity over a period of years, its not defined on whos there parents are, my parents are straight and im gay. Also if we left it up to the people to decied things inter-racial marriage prob wouldnt of happened un till the 80’s because the people voted agaisnt inter-racial marriage, and then the courts system steped in turned over the idea.

What it comes down to is equal rights for everyone and not creating second class citizens.

For everyone that says its a choice think about this question

When did you choose to be heterosexual?

As I read more of this, I find it some how to be almost funny yet extremely sad at the same time.So many bigots, so little nothing better to do than try to tell people how to live there lives.
If gays and lesbians bother you people so damn much, here is a really simple solution.IGNORE IT, seriously, they are just as entitled to happiness as we are regardless of sexual preference.
I noticed people trying to use the bible against the gay community, well lets go that route real quick, the bible also states that ” ALL MAN IS CREATED EQUAL” it does NOT say all straight chritians, it says ALL MAN, it does NOT say gay or straight.Next we have a part in Luke, sorry dont remember exactly where as I used my bible for good use ( the pages make great charcoal starters in bar b ques, but to my point and sorry it will not be 100 percent accurate but it says ( to an extent) says, that god will pass the same judgment on to you that you pass on to others.So having said that, I must confess yes I am an Atheist and always happy to use the bible against christians, it makes my day.
Anyway back the ignorance, this is a state law NOT a movement of the church, that state made this choice and yes I back them, so the church needs to just back off and let people live there own lives since the christians dont seem to have lives of there own.

In a 4-3 vote, the CA Supreme Court makes history. It was a close vote. As the Supreme Court mentions in its decision, Perez v. Sharp was also a 4-3 vote in 1948. This decision allowed interracial marriage. At that time the majority of the population was against interracial marriage, but the CA Supreme Court did the right thing. Almost no one today would argue with that. Today they did it again!

there are two different ways to interpret the constitution. One is implied… viewing it as a living document. meaning that it can change its meaning based on the times.

Or, it can be interpreted as is. Stict constitutionalists are usually conservatives. the document is set in stone, the words cannot be misconstrued to say anything else.

californian conservative legislatures are angry because the ‘conservative court’ overstepped the bounds of their aunthority. they say that the court is not to make new laws.,… but, honey, they weren’t. they were reviewing the legitimacy of a law already in place…. thats the job of the courts. our governent is set up to make checks and balances, with each branch given a specific task. the legislative body makes the laws, the executive can approve or veo it, and the courts have to test the legitimacy of the law. and if a law is then valid, then its the job of the executive to enforce it. however, if it is not a valid law and is in violation of rights granted in the state and national consitutions, it is therefore the job of the judiciary system to identify where it is in the red and put a stop to it immediately.

the word ‘gay’ is not in the constitution, nor, really, is there the word ‘man’ or ‘woman’ so…. really, how can a conservative court take the rights granted to people in the first, 14, and 9, amendments away when it does not specify who, or what certain preference they have? it says person. not man. not woman. not gay, lesbian, bisexual, or tansgender. (if you are curious on what these amendments say, look in your kids’ american history text book, or government text book, or look above to one of my previous posts)

whether or not you think this lifestyle is unholy is beside the point. the fact is the world is much bigger than you are, and their are seven billion people all struggling with some sort of moral dilemna of their own…. so… in essence get over yourselves, what makes you so special that you can deny someone else a right, when in reality, you aren’t that special after all? the constitution doesn’t rcognize any specific gender, any specific religion, and any specific orientation.

don’t attack the system. they did their job.

For those of you quoting the Bible, the issue is between the person and God. Christ said many times in many ways, “Judge not.” You don’t have the right to interfere.

We humans all want to create our own lives with no “code” to judge it
by. We draw our lines for right and wrong all over the place depending
on the “value” of the day and how we “feel” about the issue. Hey people, it has nothing to do with how we feel we want it, it is how it is
in reality. God sets the rules, we don’t, Meanwhile, let them get married if they want, our job is to continue loving, That goes for conservative and liberal alike!

I thought Ca already granted same sex marriage the other day. You know what, it is a case that certainly needs attention, but can wait till the election is over. Why take your eyes off that? Transportation is important, exporting , importing, and getting to where you need to go. Go, go , go, where in the neighbor hood , not the world, are we gonna go? I hope some people will come out with a good history book. Starting around 1810. Loved John Adams.

Homosexuality is a sin just like stealing, lying, murdering is a sin, what seperates a true christian from the rest is how you handle this sin, do you give in to it, or do you turn from your sin and ask forgiveness for your sin. Punishment is comming to America, just like Sodom and Gorimorah, what is going to be bad about this punishment is that innocent people will also have to suffer the judgement for homosexuality, because it “rains on the just and unjust alike.