Using that argument is no different from justifying excluding same-sex couples because “it just doesn’t feel right”. It’s the same as saying “I just don’t like the idea of voting for a female Prime Minister”.

I try to keep my mind open to any argument with substance and I will at least hear anyone out if they have one, but “it’s important to me” has no substance unless it comes before “because”. I can’t abide “it just is”.

And again, I don’t really care about hurting peoples’ feelings. Legalising same-sex marriage would also hurt a lot of peoples’ feelings. They can get over it.

” Basically, the ones who were open-minded agreed with what I was saying and the ones who were closed-minded defended their “right” to marry under the state because, as you say, it was “important to them”. I don’t give any weight to the “it’s important to me” argument.”

Did you see it?

Wait try this one then:
“I don’t give any weight to the “it’s important to me” argument.”

MK…..

You can’t seriously present an valid argument or opinion like that?! Ner-ner-ne-neee is all I hear.
Where is your jpg. of “Your argument is invalid/Computer says no”?

You can’t deny people the right to express or have an aspiration that is important to them by placing your opinion over theirs with greater value. You also can’t sit there and claim that a difference of opinion to you, is ‘close-minded’.

Let me also point out, that the gay couple who had an argument, are not destined to marry anyway…so not the best example, and you should come between two men you know….oh wait….

>> you know I’m trying to get a rise out of you but in earnest:

I’ve actually said the same thing to a friend of mine, when she expressed her heartbreak on FB one day about this very issue, I told her, fuck what the State considers a marriage and institution, that what she has with her partner is greater than some document with a government seal. I said “Marriage” is the love and union YOU and your partner swear to each other, and you should have a massive celebration, for your friends and family because they are the only ones who care and that you should be excited to share this with.

She never responded. I’ve actually not heard a word out of her since. She deleted her post and the ensuing responses.

Everyday, many friends of mine asking me to sign petitions for this and I’ve come to realise at the end of the day – and what I’m trying to impart to you – is that this is not a matter of clever arguments and throwing down the logic. It’s not about Politicians and their agenda. It’s not about how tax, divorce or custody may play out. It’s about how many couples out their feel, wanting to express their love and commitment to their partner, in the way that you and I will always take for granted. This is not an academic argument, this is about how people out there feel and how they crave for the Government and our people, to understand their desire. Why deny this on the grounds of logic. Can ‘love be explained logically? Do we want to really pick at the seems now…..

Can I post this to my FB? I think you may enjoy some varied and interesting opinions hopefully…

Basically, the ones who were open-minded agreed with what I was saying and the ones who were closed-minded defended their “right” to marry under the state because, as you say, it was “important to them”.

I don’t give any weight to the “it’s important to me” argument. That’s exactly why people are preventing same-sex couples from marrying — it’s “important” to them that marriage remains as is. I will not support gay people who follow an irrational idea without question over straight people who follow an irrational idea without question. I don’t have much respect for either, to be honest.

It does matter to those who who believe in the state’s institution of marriage…just because you’re gay doesn’t automatically make you not care for the ‘approval’ or norms of this institution. Without it, people are refused the opportunity for traditional marriage ceremonies, as guided by the state (who has been influenced by the Church) refuses to adapt. To put it simpler – do we assume a lesbian doesn’t want to walk down the aisle somewhere in an off-white meringue puff simply because of her sexual orientation? It’s like ‘hey darling, you rejected society’s “norms”, why should this trifling matter perturb you?’

I hear where you’re coming from MK, but it translates to pretty much the ‘diatrash’ Gillard etc will spew on the matter.