Here we go again...

God please save me from your followers.

I keep having to stomp this particular fire out. I don't know why I bother--debating these people who are putting aside every critical issue facing this country because, at root, they feel vaguely uncomfortable at the mere thought of Jack and Gil getting married--debating these folks bears an uncanny resemblance to banging my head against a brick wall. But I'll keep trying. Here are 31 "reasons" to vote against same-sex marriage, with my thoughts on each of them. My apologies at the repetitiveness--there are really only ten or so "reasons" here--but hey, the first sign of an argument running out of steam is a resort to repetition.

The government has no authority to change the definition of a religious term such as marriage. They have no right to change the definition of "baptism", "communion", "bar mitzvah", "marriage" or any other religious term.

Okay, right away we've come up against a specious assumption: that "marriage" is a religious term. Says who? In order to be married, one need not enter a place of worship nor invoke the name of any god. So how can marriage be a religious term?

Same sex marriage is not a "human right". The United Nations’ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms make no mention, directly or indirectly of such a right.

Y'know, it's really funny. I just sat down and read the Charter of Rights and Freedoms through. It makes no mention, directly or indirectly, of any kind of marriage. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights put forth by the United Nations does, however. Let's look carefully at what it has to say:

Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Now, you will note the first clause does not specify that men must marry women, or that women must marry men. It simply says that men and women have the right to marry.

Back to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Sexual orientation has been "read into" the Charter for some time now, probably on the basis of the equality rights in Article 15:


15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

I'm going to come right out here, so to speak, and suggest that gays and lesbians form a "disadvantaged group". Given that the suicide rate of gays and lesbians is six times the national average and hate crimes are still common, it's hard not to argue otherwise. This group of people is not specifically included in the Charter, but it is not excluded, either. Given that the Charter holds equality as a fundamental right, it is only correct that sexual orientation be considered.

Anyway, all this suggests to me is that according to the United Nations, marriage is a fundamental freedom for all and according to the Charter, gays are not to be discriminated against. Draw your own conclusions.


When women gained equal rights in Canada, they were not renamed "men". Laws were passed to give them rights. Same sex couples do not have to be called "married" to receive rights.

When homosexuals get the right to marry in Canada, nobody will rename them "straight", either.
We can set up a whole set of laws codifying--we'll call it "gayage"--and make sure that they are identical insofar as the rights and obligations they grant same-sex couples. Or we can just extend marriage rights to gay people.
Obviously, we're arguing over a word. And words are funny: they mean whatever you want them to, no matter what the dictionary may say on the matter. If I say "marriage", you'll imagine certain things; if you say "marriage", I will imagine certain things. Much of our respective mental pictures will overlap, but there will be differences.
It really does seem much simpler to me to allow gay couples the freedom to marry. You know most of them will consider themselves married, not "civilly unionated" or some such. Where's the harm?


If marriage is redefined, it is redefined for everyone. Are your [sic] married? If so, to a man or a woman? To properly identify oneself every married couple in Canada will then have to define their marriage as a "same sex marriage" or an "opposite sex marriage".

I identify myself, properly, as Ken Breadner. Whom I choose to marry, or not, is quite frankly none of anybody's business unless and until I choose to tell them. And the same goes for any two married people. Period.


To change the definition of marriage is a violation of Article 16 of the United Nations’ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights". This article demands government protection of "family" and "marriage".

Those damn homosexuals! They're plotting to overthrow marriage! Hurry! Protect it!
Oh, sorry: that was vicious sarcasm, but I just realized quite a few people actually believe this. I'd like them to show me how extending marriage threatens it. I still haven't heard any kind of answer to that question.


To change the definition of marriage is a violation of Canada’s "Charter of Rights". The first line of the Charter reads "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:" It is a violation of "The principle of the supremacy of God" to re-define a sacred institution.

See the rebuttal to the first paragraph: marriage is not a sacred institution. And "the supremacy of God" is a null statement. Who or what is God? Take as long as you like to answer. I suspect that the people who spewed forth this elaborate justification of bigotry have a very good idea who God is. Problem: there are many competing visions of the same God...not to mention other Gods, the belief in which is--surprise!--guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Re-definition of marriage violates the first "fundamental freedom" listed by the "Charter of Rights" that states "Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: a) freedom of conscience and religion". By dictating religion the state infringes upon the freedom of religion.

The state is not "dictating religion" here, since...again...marriage and religion have little to do with each other.


Re-definition sets up a "two tiered" Charter of Rights where homosexuals and lesbians have powers over the religious.

Look, at some point, Joe Gay Catholic is going to want to be married in his church. That point is not yet, but I'm sure it's coming. We'll see how the court rules. In the meantime, Christians in particular have a lot of hard Bible study to do.
What they shouldn't do is ask themselves "what would Jesus do"...because in all but a few, that question is magically transformed into "what would I do if I were Jesus?" Instead, they should read carefully what they think are prohibitions against homosexuality, particularly those in the New Testament. It helps to read them in Greek. Fair warning: you'll be surprised to find there is no prohibition against homosexuality in the Bible that can be attributed to God in any of His three Aspects.


The Prime Minister has betrayed his colleagues attempting to force cabinet members to go against their religious convictions and vote to redefine marriage. If he will not protect religious freedom for his friends he will certainly not protect ordinary Canadians.

It's a failing of our political system that "voting one's conscience" is so rarely permitted. I'm not defending Paul Martin, but he may have told his caucus that religious freedoms--guaranteed, after all, under the Charter--will not be infringed upon, in an effort to get them to accept his legislation. That's politics. In any event, the actions of the PM do not constitute in and of themselves a reason to vote against (or for) same-sex marriage. Let's keep to the issue at hand, here, okay?

Two-tiered rights regimes suppress the underclass. Religious institutions are being forced to host same sex nuptials such as the Knights of Columbus hall in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Religious schools such as the Catholic School in Whitby, Ontario are being forced to accept same sex relationships. Religious individuals such as Scott Brockie are forced to print material against his conscience. You and your Church, Synagogue or place of worship may be next.

Oooo, suppression of the "underclass", whatever that is. Sounds nasty. Reminds me of Monty Python's Constitutional Peasant. I'll admit I have not read up on the cases of the Catholic School in Whitby (what, only one?) or the KoC hall in PoCo, nor do I know of Scott Brockie. I'm curious to know how one is "forced" to print anything. Do they do it with guns? Knives?
I think it only fair to point out that same-sex marriages have occurred in Christian (admittedly, not Catholic) churches. I'd like to be a fly on the wall at the confrontation between Christian ministers who have performed such services and those who are vehemently against them. Is one set or the other not Christian? Discuss.

Two-tiered rights are currently violating freedom for those who conduct marriage ceremonies. Religious commissioners of marriages in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have already been threatened with loss of livelihood if they do not succumb to the dictates of the state and agree to marry same sex couples.
Religious freedom for Clergy will not be upheld. On December 9, 2004 the Supreme Court clearly articulated that the federal government has no ability to protect Clergy from marrying same sex couples. The Court says this is a Provincial responsibility however no province in Canada has legislation in place to protect Clergy. In fact at least three provinces have already attacked Clergy freedoms.

Lock up the priests! The gays are coming!
I don't mean to be flip, I really don't. But all this talk of "protection" grates on my nerves. Pass a same-sex marriage law. Write into it that no priest or pastor may be forced to perform a marriage ceremony against his or her will. It's really that simple. Churches already discriminate as to whom they marry. Some insist you be members of the parish; many won't recognize your marriage if it's performed in a church of a different faith. All of this is just as wrong, as far as I am concerned, as refusing to marry same-sex couples, but nobody's challenged it.

Religious freedom in education is being debased. Religious students are forced to study same sex values, relationships, activities and homosexual and lesbian way of life. There is no protection or conscientious objection caveat to alleviate students from being exposed to objectionable material.

AND THERE BLOODY WELL SHOULDN'T BE. If you are absolutely determined to keep your little ones under your thumb. better buy them a bubble. See, this paragraph here gives us a clue as to what motivates these people: fear. They're afraid their sons and daughters might be exposed to what they deem objectionable and find it...not so objectionable. It scares these people witless to think that each generation--each individual--charts its own moral course. The purpose of an education is to get students thinking for themselves, not to parrot their parents' selected Bible readings.


Same sex education is commonly used as a proselytizing tool. Much of the material leads the student to question their sexuality by their dreams and level of stimulation when exposed to explicit material.

IT'S THE GAY AGENDA AT WORK!
Oops, there's that sarcasm again. I keep forgetting people really do think this way. Well, if you are exposed to explicit sexual material in school, hey, let me know where your school is, eh? I want to sit in. I might learn something.
Seriously, if you're aroused by gay porn, you could very well be gay. Not necessarily--I am, but I'm not--but you could be. And, as Seinfeld so memorably said, "not that there's anything wrong with that." No matter what your parents think.
At the very least, everyone ought to question and come to terms with their sexuality. It's an important part of who you are.

Re-definition of marriage undermines the foundation of society. Our civilization is based on the traditional definition of marriage. Social engineers are now attempting to demolish society as we know it and build their own "Brave New World".

I've said this before and I will say it again: marriage is NOT the foundation of society. The foundation of society is the individual. He/she may be married, or not; it makes no difference as far as human rights and social obligations go.

Family is our foundation. The United Nations’ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights",Article 16.(3) states "The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

Dare we define family? I dare you to tell me that my wife and I don't constitute a family. You better run away real quick while you say that: I have a hell of a right hook.
The people who wrote this drivel are perfectly entitled to their vision of a "family"....only insofar as they apply it to themselves alone. And don't keep using that word "protection" without telling me what you're trying to protect families from.

Marriage is the foundation of family. The place for pro-creation and development of children. Same sex couples cannot pro-create.

Red herring. So what? We can't procreate either. It doesn't make our marriage less valid in the eyes of the State or--get this--in the eyes of the Church, either. Last I looked, people could get married in a church without the immediate obligation to "start a family". In fact, up until recently, having a "family"--by which these folks mean children--before you married was very much frowned upon.

Marriage is the foundation of government where members are governed.

Say what? This is gobbledygook made to sound important. "Marriage is the foundation of government"??? What the heck does that mean? You have to be married to run for office? So what, anyway? Boy, we're really stretching now, aren't we?

Marriage is the first level of implementation of the law where members are encouraged to keep the law.

What bizarro world are we living in here? This makes no sense whatsoever and would be perfectly irrelevant if it did. I was taught to obey the law long before I married!

Marriage is the first level of education where members are taught civilized behaviour, morals and ethics.

Are we speaking in code? Are "members" children? Why not say so?
(Aside: civilized behaviour may well be taught, but morals and ethics are self-taught.)
No matter: saying "marriage is the first level of purpleness where members are taught the essence of pure purplehood" does not advance the case against same-sex marriage one iota.

Marriage is the first level of healthcare where the sick are cared for.

If you're single, you die on the street? Is that how this works?

Marriage is the first level caring for the poor.

I give up. You know what this sounds like? "Neener-neener-neener! If I cover my ears, I won't hear you! I reject your version of reality and insert my own!"


Radical social-engineering cannot be enacted without full debate, discussion, involvement and participation of vast majority of the citizens in a free country. Dictatorships have attempted to radically change society in other ways and the result is catastrophic. Not even the most corrupt Communist or fascist dictatorships have attempted to redefine marriage.

Mostly because the most corrupt communist or fascist states don't care one bit about human rights.
You can't force meaningful political participation on people: they'll resent it. Many people have tuned out this debate on account of they simply don't care; they've come to the conclusion that same-sex marriage will not affect them in any way, so they don't pay attention to the diatribes pro or con. Sorry to say this, but I don't think these arguments will influence them.

Re-engineering society is not a priority of the people however it has become the number one priority for the Prime Minister. Instead of focusing on Canada’s vital issues such as healthcare, education, security and taxes, Mr. Martin is fixated on same sex marriage.

Umm, pot? Kettle? Look, you can accuse the Prime Minister of 'fixation' all you want, but it's the people opposed to same-sex marriage that are doing at least as much to keep Parliament from dealing with all the critical issues facing this country. The courts have been ruling on this issue for four years now, and no ruling has yet come back against same-sex marriage.

If same sex marriage was a "human right" then most same sex couples would exercise this so-called right. In fact same sex marriage has been legal in parts of Canada for almost two years and only a couple thousand have become married. Over 99 percent have not entered into so-called "same sex marriage". Now the social engineers want to re-define marriage for the .006 percent of the population of Canada.

Just because I have a right does not obligate me to exercise it. Canadians have the right to vote, and they've been doing so in fewer and fewer numbers.
At least get your figures right: 0.006 percent of the population of Canada is some 217,000 people, a far cry from "a couple of thousand". Anyway, if this redefinition of marriage affects so few people, doesn't hurt anyone (and doesn't affect you at all), why have you got your knickers in such a twist?

The majority of Canadians do not want marriage to be redefined. Virtually every poll has indicated this fact with as much as 69% of the nation in objection.

Majority rules, then. The majority once thought blacks weren't fit to marry whites. The majority can be wrong.

Statistics Canada released its findings that only one percent of Canadians are homosexual or lesbian. Another .7 percent of Canadians are bi-sexual. Even this community does not wholly support redefining marriage.

Again, if this is being done for so few people, what's the big deal? They're not criminalizing heterosexual marriage, you know.

There is an electoral consequence to violating the will of the constituents. Numerous Members of Parliament lost their seat subsequent to voting against marriage.

Really? Did the government kick them out? Or did their electors stand up against bigotry?

Betraying the trust of the people creates an electoral consequence. Many Members of Parliament voted for marriage before voting against it. Mr. Martin and 215 other Members of Parliament voted for marriage in 1999. Over 130 Members voted for marriage in 2002. Now some are changing their vote. Their word yesterday appears to have no bearing on their actions of today. Who knows what they will do tomorrow? Such subterfuge will not tolerated by the electorate.

Maybe not by you. At least some of the electorate will be comforted that their elected MPs finally came to their senses. No matter: that's for the next election to decide. And the Liberals will win it, same-sex bill or no. Mark my words.

Radically changing the Liberal Party will bring demise. Throughout its history the Liberal Party was moderate and centrist. Now the Prime Minister is bringing in an extremist agenda of redefining marriage, talk of polygamy, decriminalizing marijuana and discussions on euthanasia. In addition they grant 582 work visas to Romanian strippers and pay $250 million dollars to Liberal friends. These are not Liberal Values they are Extremist Values.

Hey. wow, we've thrown in gay marriage with AdScam and Strippergate. Next on Channel Seven: Gay marriage causes global warming and tooth decay.
Incidentally, since we've brought all this up, polygamy should be legal; marijuana MUST be legalized, never mind decriminalized; and euthanasia is the benchmark by which compassionate societies are judged. (If your life isn't your own, what is?)

Now...anybody got any real objections to gay marriage? Anybody? Bueller?