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Protesters rally against same-sex marriage in France
Protesters rally against same-sex marriage in France
(CNN) -- Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Sunday decrying the French president's plan to legalize same-sex marriage and adoptions.
They converged near the Eiffel Tower, chanting and waving flags, posters and balloons.
"I do not personally agree with gay marriage as I am a Christian and believe what the Bible says about marriage being between one woman and one man for a life time," said CNN iReporter Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies, who shot video of the march with his phone.
"If your lifestyle doesn't allow you to conceive, there is a reason," he said.
After his win, the Cabinet approved a draft bill that is expected to go before the National Assembly and Senate soon. It is likely to be voted on in February or March. If passed, it would mark the biggest step forward for French gay rights advocates in more than a decade.
The plan faces stiff opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and social conservatives.
Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, the archbishop of Paris, voiced his opposition at a meeting of French bishops in Lourdes last year.
Opening up marriage to same-sex couples "would be a transformation of marriage that would affect everyone," he said.
At the same time, failing to recognize gender difference within marriage and the family would be a "deceit" that would rock the foundations of society and lead to discrimination between children, he said.
Other religious groups in France, including Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, have also expressed their concern over the draft bill, and more than 100 lawmakers are against the legislation, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
Hundreds of mayors around the country have also voiced their opposition, which has won wide backing from gay rights advocates.
The French gay, lesbian and transgender rights group Inter-LGBT said the law, if passed, "would be a major advance for our country in terms of equality of rights."
Lawmakers have a "unique opportunity" to put an end to outdated discrimination, the group said in a statement. "The law must allow all couples to unite themselves as they wish and must protect all families, without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity," it said.
A law legalizing civil unions was introduced in 1999 in France under a previous Socialist government.
Known in France as the PACS (pacte civil de solidarite), the civil union agreement can be entered into by gay or straight couples and confers many but not all of the rights of marriage.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/world/europe/france-marriage-rights-protest/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
(CNN) -- Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Sunday decrying the French president's plan to legalize same-sex marriage and adoptions.
They converged near the Eiffel Tower, chanting and waving flags, posters and balloons.
"I do not personally agree with gay marriage as I am a Christian and believe what the Bible says about marriage being between one woman and one man for a life time," said CNN iReporter Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies, who shot video of the march with his phone.
"If your lifestyle doesn't allow you to conceive, there is a reason," he said.
After his win, the Cabinet approved a draft bill that is expected to go before the National Assembly and Senate soon. It is likely to be voted on in February or March. If passed, it would mark the biggest step forward for French gay rights advocates in more than a decade.
The plan faces stiff opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and social conservatives.
Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, the archbishop of Paris, voiced his opposition at a meeting of French bishops in Lourdes last year.
Opening up marriage to same-sex couples "would be a transformation of marriage that would affect everyone," he said.
At the same time, failing to recognize gender difference within marriage and the family would be a "deceit" that would rock the foundations of society and lead to discrimination between children, he said.
Other religious groups in France, including Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, have also expressed their concern over the draft bill, and more than 100 lawmakers are against the legislation, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
Hundreds of mayors around the country have also voiced their opposition, which has won wide backing from gay rights advocates.
The French gay, lesbian and transgender rights group Inter-LGBT said the law, if passed, "would be a major advance for our country in terms of equality of rights."
Lawmakers have a "unique opportunity" to put an end to outdated discrimination, the group said in a statement. "The law must allow all couples to unite themselves as they wish and must protect all families, without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity," it said.
A law legalizing civil unions was introduced in 1999 in France under a previous Socialist government.
Known in France as the PACS (pacte civil de solidarite), the civil union agreement can be entered into by gay or straight couples and confers many but not all of the rights of marriage.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/world/europe/france-marriage-rights-protest/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Guess they will have to cross the border into Belgium......it's ALREADY LEGAL there. That's if this doesn't pass. I think it will.
It is OBVIOUS I wasn't there. These people need to GET REAL and cry about something else worth crying about.
Geez!!!
Geez!!!
I also fully agree. Marriage is a big commitment and I too wish it would be taken more seriously. I know that not every marriage can be saved and there are times a couple absolutely should not be together, but I also think that so many have a very unrealistic idea as to what marriage should be and don't want to put in the effort. Well said SM and very true.
"Marriage is hard work, no matter if the parties are straight of gay. Many people marry without realizing this, without giving it enough thought, and without having the maturity to see it through."
SO TRUE!....
SO TRUE!....
I agree. To me the larger concern is the seriousness of the commitment and the willingness to make the effort to honor the marriage vows. The genders of the individuals is insignificant by comparison.
Marriage is hard work, no matter if the parties are straight of gay. Many people marry without realizing this, without giving it enough thought, and without having the maturity to see it through.
Marriage is hard work, no matter if the parties are straight of gay. Many people marry without realizing this, without giving it enough thought, and without having the maturity to see it through.
Well I, again, can not disagree with that. I do though, really wish that same sex, opposite sex, ANYONE/EVERYONE would enter into vows seriously and think of it as a life long commitment. Lots of people seem to get married on the fly contributing to our staggering divorce rate. It's a serious decision no matter who you marry.
I think part of the problem is that the opponents of marriage equality, even if they will concede civil union status, want to hold something back. I don't get that. Is it really necessary to emphasize the difference with a title. Why? Why not call it marriage. Anybody who is brave enough to make a lifetime commitment to their partner, whether same sex or opposite sex, should have their commitment recognized as a marriage.
I can't say I disagree with you. I was trying to think of how it can really be the nonissue it should be. If it were just the word marriage--- is that an easy fix? I don't know. I do agree, however, that everyone has a right to do as they please. Why the idea of same sex marriages is such a threat, I have no idea. I honestly dont' get that. Again, I'm Christian and a member of a strict church so will not just bash people that feel that way--- just don't understand it and wouldn't join them in any condemning of same sex marriages.
I guess I just feel that the two people involved should be allowed to call it whatever they choose. The same rules for homosexual and heterosexual couples is how I see it. I know married couples in both catagories. Some call their significant other their partner, some their spouse or husband/wife. I personally introduce myself to people that know my husband as his wife. I think same sex couples should have exactly the same rights.
I honestly cannot understand the objection to this issue. It is one that continues to confound me. I am fine with certain churches being unwilling to perform the ceramony...that is a private matter and I have no right to tell them differently. But I cannot understand the overall objection. It just doesn't make any sense to me.
I honestly cannot understand the objection to this issue. It is one that continues to confound me. I am fine with certain churches being unwilling to perform the ceramony...that is a private matter and I have no right to tell them differently. But I cannot understand the overall objection. It just doesn't make any sense to me.
A couple of the forums I CL for are always an eye opener for me regarding the dynamics between men and women in some other cultures. I'd personally have a very hard time living that way.
I really don't care what anyone does and hey, finding someone to love is always a good thing.
My church is one of the strictest in terms of their 'rules' on what others do in their private lives. Not my favorite part of my church but it has a lot of good things that I do embrace.
I've wondered if it is not a middle ground concession to allow unions that are legal with the rights that go along with that, the cermomony, etc. but that it is called something other than a 'marriage'. I have a friend that could care less if people are together of the same sex in a legal union but has said she doesn't like the word marriage used.
I personally don't care what people do and can think of no reason why it would be something to 'protest' and march against and all of that. Again, finding a loving partner is the most important thing to me and someone you can have a long term whatever you want to call it with is great.
I really don't care what anyone does and hey, finding someone to love is always a good thing.
My church is one of the strictest in terms of their 'rules' on what others do in their private lives. Not my favorite part of my church but it has a lot of good things that I do embrace.
I've wondered if it is not a middle ground concession to allow unions that are legal with the rights that go along with that, the cermomony, etc. but that it is called something other than a 'marriage'. I have a friend that could care less if people are together of the same sex in a legal union but has said she doesn't like the word marriage used.
I personally don't care what people do and can think of no reason why it would be something to 'protest' and march against and all of that. Again, finding a loving partner is the most important thing to me and someone you can have a long term whatever you want to call it with is great.
I think it can be. I am very much a believer, but I do not necessarily follow any actual mainstream religion. I really have not yet found a Church that meets my personal beliefs. I am pro equal marriage and pro choice amongst other things, and don't see myself changing my views on those subjects, amongst others.
I try to follow what I think are the general principals of Christianity. I believe it means tolerance and respect for others who see differently then you. I believe it teaches to treat others the way you would like to be treated. I like the general moral values it teaches and the stories that teach love and respect. Still, I believe the Bible was written by man trying to interpret God's message, but doing so according to the laws of the land for the time. So I think faith can be a wonderful thing, but sadly I also think it can bring out the worst in people. I guess it's all a matter of interpretation. Still, my belief in a higher power is very strong - it's just the man made rules I struggle with.
I try to follow what I think are the general principals of Christianity. I believe it means tolerance and respect for others who see differently then you. I believe it teaches to treat others the way you would like to be treated. I like the general moral values it teaches and the stories that teach love and respect. Still, I believe the Bible was written by man trying to interpret God's message, but doing so according to the laws of the land for the time. So I think faith can be a wonderful thing, but sadly I also think it can bring out the worst in people. I guess it's all a matter of interpretation. Still, my belief in a higher power is very strong - it's just the man made rules I struggle with.
I'm afraid this is not an area where we will see a lot of rational behavior. Religion, by its very nature, is not a rational thing.
Whew, I'm glad..lol.
Anyone that takes the Q'aran and the Bible literally really does have almost the same belief system. Yet I see and hear Christians condemning the entire Muslim world, believing that because the Q'aran says something, 100% of Muslims must follow it. But almost no Christians follow the Bible 100%, even the most extreme. So why are there two different standards in belief system? It makes absolutely no sense.
Anyone that takes the Q'aran and the Bible literally really does have almost the same belief system. Yet I see and hear Christians condemning the entire Muslim world, believing that because the Q'aran says something, 100% of Muslims must follow it. But almost no Christians follow the Bible 100%, even the most extreme. So why are there two different standards in belief system? It makes absolutely no sense.
I think you make perfect sense.
Very true. Women in those days were either the property of their father, or their husbands. You know what I find really really interesting?? In some cultures that is still true. Particularly in the Muslim world (I'm not talking the more modern day, but those that tend to be more extreme in their beliefs). So many in our culture, those that consider themselves very very Christian (literal interpretation of the Bible) talk about how awful the lack of human rights, particularly for women, are in those cultures. Yet the Bible condones all of that. Most religious books are similiar. The Q'aran, The Bible, etc. The difference is only in how extreme your beliefs are. I find the attitude hypocritical. Did that make any sense? Lol, I know what I am trying to say.....
" I think a lot of the "rules" are made up by men and women to play into their own personal beliefs"
I think you're right. And mikesimon is also right, it seems women weren't given much say in the bible or much of anything else.
I think you're right. And mikesimon is also right, it seems women weren't given much say in the bible or much of anything else.
I'm not sure women played much of a part in the creation of the Bible(s)
I don't think it does. I am no Bible expert, but I believe the quote is something like "man shall not lay down with man". Of course, the Bible also condones stoning prostitutes, and say's that the wife shall obey the husband and a whole host of other things modern day society wouldn't be ok with. My personal opinion is that some conveniently twist and also leave out the parts that suit them. This is why, although I do consider myself a Christian, I do not believe in literal interpretation of the Bible. I think a lot of the "rules" are made up by men and women to play into their own personal beliefs. My God accepts and loves everyone and certainly does not condemn people for loving each other.
I keep hearing that the bible says marriage between is one woman and one man for a lifetime, but I have never read that myself. Can anyone tell me where in the bible it says that?
Well, I'm thinking that the right is always saying that they don't want to be like Europe so maybe now they'll embrace same-sex marriage - you know, just to not be like the French.
I guess it's all over the world..Hopefully the french people see that there is no reason for the outrage...Everyone should be considered equal. We all have the right to our beliefs, but who are we to force those beliefs on other people??...
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