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Canada Parliament set to approve same sex marriage
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| starsearcher |
| quote: | Canada Parliament set to approve same sex marriage
Tue Jun 28, 9:07 AM ET
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Parliament was set on Tuesday to approve legislation that will allow same sex marriages across the country, despite fierce opposition from conservative legislators and religious groups.
A majority of parliamentarians support the legislation, which would make Canada only the third country after Belgium and the Netherlands to allow gay marriages.
Officials said Parliament would vote at around 8 p.m. EDT (midnight GMT) on Tuesday.
Canada's minority Liberal government said it had to produce legislation permitting gay marriage after courts in eight of the country's 10 provinces ruled that a ban same-sex marriages was unconstitutional because it violated Canada's charter on rights and freedoms.
Church groups and the main opposition Conservative Party say the law is an attack on organized religion, and some have suggested that allowing gay marriage could lead to the legalization of polygamy.
Prime Minister Paul Martin has ordered his cabinet to vote for the legislation, but around 35 Liberal legislators will oppose the bill.
Canada's stance stands in contrast to that in the United States, where
President Bush wants Congress to back a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages.
The gay marriage legislation is the last item on Parliament's agenda before it breaks for the summer. Legislators are due to resume work on Sept. 19. |
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| Moral Hazard |
| Yes! The debate will finally be over! |
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| Jayx1 |
And they are doing it because of the bloc. Its all good and fine when the Liberals use bloc support but suddenly conservatives are conspirators when they do.
Double standards..
anyways at least this topic will be done with. |
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| starsearcher |
| It will never be done with :) there are enough people who will continue arguing...but what's the big deal anyway...it's not like YOU are getting married to a gay person...it doesn't change a thing for people who are already married :) |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by starsearcher
It will never be done with :) there are enough people who will continue arguing...but what's the big deal anyway...it's not like YOU are getting married to a gay person...it doesn't change a thing for people who are already married :) |
Most of the (level headed) opposition is with the wording. Because people fear that because it's actually called marriage, religious institutions will be forced to perform them in the future against their will. Hopefully this doesnt happen but it could. |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Most of the (level headed) opposition is with the wording. Because people fear that because it's actually called marriage, religious institutions will be forced to perform them in the future against their will. Hopefully this doesnt happen but it could. |
If someone takes a religious institution to court over this it will end up being a very interesting legal battle. Essentially we will have a fight over whether freedom of religion is more important them freedom of expression. Should be interesting. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
If someone takes a religious institution to court over this it will end up being a very interesting legal battle. Essentially we will have a fight over whether freedom of religion is more important them freedom of expression. Should be interesting. |
This is what those who support gay marriage, yet are opposed to calling it marriage in the legal world are trying to avoid. If churches are ever forced to perform gay weddings then it will be a huge abomination of everyone's rights. |
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| Orko |
I am happy this is finally going through. We need to be a more accepting society, and i think this is a step in the right direction.
If different religions do not want to recognize two men, or two women, then its their lose. They are probably alienating great people, who were born just a bit different than the rest of us.
On a side note...what is next? Could people be allowed to get married to other living beings? Do you think it will just top at human + human? Could bring about some funny stories/requests. |
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| MarkT |
It's about time. I trust, and expect, the Supreme Court to protect the rights of religious institutions as carefully as they would protect the rights of gays should any case be brought before them.
Once again Harper absolutely embarassed himself with his pointless and ludicrous remarks this week...calling the legislation "illegitimate" because it will come to pass due to the Bloc's support.
um...Bloc MPs are ELECTED OFFICIALS...whether or not Harper agrees with their actions is 100% irrelevant...THIS IS HOW THE GOV'T WORKS. :rolleyes:
again...Harper needs to step down...how much more can he whine and cry when he doesn't get his way before his party seeks to replace him??? He's so unfit to lead the Conservative party to power it's no longer funny (even to me, as a Liberal supporter). All he's done is slap Quebec voters, and the Bloc party, across the face with his remarks, likely further damaging his party's chances to improve their popularity. If I was a Conservative supporter, I'd be calling for his resignation... |
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| amb_ |
| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
It's about time. I trust, and expect, the Supreme Court to protect the rights of religious institutions as carefully as they would protect the rights of gays should any case be brought before them.
Once again Harper absolutely embarassed himself with his pointless and ludicrous remarks this week...calling the legislation "illegitimate" because it will come to pass due to the Bloc's support.
um...Bloc MPs are ELECTED OFFICIALS...whether or not Harper agrees with their actions is 100% irrelevant...THIS IS HOW THE GOV'T WORKS. :rolleyes:
again...Harper needs to step down...how much more can he whine and cry when he doesn't get his way before his party seeks to replace him??? He's so unfit to lead the Conservative party to power it's no longer funny (even to me, as a Liberal supporter). All he's done is slap Quebec voters, and the Bloc party, across the face with his remarks, likely further damaging his party's chances to improve their popularity. If I was a Conservative supporter, I'd be calling for his resignation... |
I nearly pissed myself laughing last night when I watched The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos playing some soundbites of Harper denouncing the legislation because it will win with the support of the BQ, calling into question its validity because those who support it have a "separatist agenda". Such a Jon Stewart moment...
| quote: | | Yes George, the same Bloc who worked with the CPC to bring down the government... |
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| EvilDust |
| quote: | Originally posted by Orko
On a side note...what is next? Could people be allowed to get married to other living beings? Do you think it will just top at human + human? Could bring about some funny stories/requests. |
People aren't that stupid....are they? :nervous: |
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| EvilTree |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilDust
People aren't that stupid....are they? :nervous: |
Or to stretch it just a little further, what about transexuals? Or hermaphrodites? |
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