General Politics Birk/Kluwe Gay Marriage Debate - Page 2

KChiefer · 10-01-2012, 08:03 PM

NFL's Matt Birk: Let's protect marriage -- and speech

It should come as no surprise that the National Football League supports the right of its players to share their opinions on important public matters, nor should it come as a surprise that I personally support my colleagues' rights to voice their opinions.

But the conversation during the last few weeks on the subject of same-sex marriage has told a different story -- one that appears to be drawing a false connection between supporting true American values like free speech and the institution of marriage, our most fundamental and important social institution.

I think it is important to set the record straight about what the marriage debate is and is not about, and to clarify that not all NFL players think redefining marriage is a good thing.

The union of a man and a woman is privileged and recognized by society as "marriage" for a reason, and it's not because the government has a vested interest in celebrating the love between two people. With good reason, government recognizes marriages and gives them certain legal benefits so they can provide a stable, nurturing environment for the next generation of citizens: our kids.

Children have a right to a mom and a dad, and I realize that this doesn't always happen. Through the work my wife and I do at pregnancy resource centers and underprivileged schools, we have witnessed firsthand the many heroic efforts of single mothers and fathers -- many of whom work very hard to provide what's best for their kids.

But recognizing the efforts of these parents and the resiliency of some (not all, unfortunately) of these kids, does not then give society the right to dismiss the potential long-term effects on a child of not knowing or being loved by his or her mother or father. Each plays a vital role in the raising of a child.

Marriage is in trouble right now -- admittedly, for many reasons that have little to do with same-sex unions. In the last few years, political forces and a culture of relativism have replaced "I am my brother's keeper" and "love your neighbor as yourself" with "live and let live" and "if it feels good, go ahead and do it."

The effects of no-fault divorce, adultery, and the nonchalant attitude toward marriage by some have done great harm to this sacred institution. How much longer do we put the desires of adults before the needs of kids? Why are we not doing more to lift up and strengthen the institution of marriage?

Same-sex unions may not affect my marriage specifically, but it will affect my children -- the next generation. Ideas have consequences, and laws shape culture. Marriage redefinition will affect the broader well-being of children and the welfare of society. As a Christian and a citizen, I am compelled to care about both.

I am speaking out on this issue because it is far too important to remain silent. People who are simply acknowledging the basic reality of marriage between one man and one woman are being labeled as "bigots" and "homophobic." Aren't we past that as a society?

Don't we all have family members and friends whom we love who have same-sex attraction? Attempting to silence those who may disagree with you is always un-American, but especially when it is through name-calling, it has no place in respectful conversation.

A defense of marriage is not meant as an offense to any person or group. All people should be afforded their inalienable American freedoms. There is no opposition between providing basic human rights to everyone and preserving marriage as the sacred union of one man and one woman.

I hope that in voicing my beliefs I encourage people on both sides to use reason and charity as they enter this debate. I encourage all Americans to stand up to preserve and promote a healthy, authentic promarriage culture in this upcoming election.

-----------------------

Matt Birk, a native Minnesotan, is a former center for the Minnesota Vikings and current center for the Baltimore Ravens.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/c...=y&c=n&refer=y

|Zach| · 10-01-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Just what the **** makes me any more racist than you Dave? Do I have to like all humans not to be a racist? **** THAT!
Yes I hate.
But it aint got god dam thing to do with skin color.
Go back to looking through your telescope for all your answers

Ever laughed at a good black joke Dave? Your a racist Dave
Ever laughed at a good Asian joke? Your a Bigot Dave
Ever laugh at a good Christians joke. Your a Joke DAVE!

choo choo

Brock · 10-01-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

He was picked on ruthlessly & shunned as a kid because he was being raised by two female switch hitters. Drugs were an escape that came late in his life

Has nothing to do with them being gay, it had to do with them being shitty parents. They raised a weak minded little pussy who couldn't hack it.

qabbaan · 10-02-2012, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

I tend to agree that if all else is equal, a kid is probably better off with both a father and a mother than with two of one and none of the other. But would you agree that a kid is likely better off with a loving same sex couple than with an indifferent or incompetent mother and father or even with a well-meaning but stretched-too-thin single parent?

I'm not sure that is true. If a boy has no father, adding more mothers doesn't change that fact.

**patteeu** · 10-02-2012, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qabbaan

I'm not sure that is true. If a boy has no father, adding more mothers doesn't change that fact.

No, but it gives the family two adult partners to share the load of earning money, raising the kids, keeping the house, going to PTA meetings, etc. Fathers are important, but they aren't the only important factor.

Obviously, I'm not sure either, but I can't think of a logical reason to oppose a loving gay couple over a stretched-too-thin single parent other than something based on moral opposition to homosexuals and that's not my thing.

LiveSteam · 10-02-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Has nothing to do with them being gay,

Nothing.Not a thing.
What ever Rob Halford

Brock · 10-02-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Nothing.Not a thing.
What ever Rob Halford

Everybody aboard the Tiny Gay Train. Toot! Toot!

Brock · 10-02-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Nothing.Not a thing.
What ever Rob Halford

Also, I'm curious, if Joey's mom being gay turned him into a worthless drug addict criminal, what was your excuse?

LiveSteam · 10-02-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Everybody aboard the Tiny Gay Train. Toot! Toot!

Yes thats right. Its very gay Brock Halford. Thousands & thousands of people come out every year around the United States to ride these livesteam models because we promote gay butt sex & same sex marriage

Speaking of models

Brock · 10-02-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Yes thats right. Its very gay Brock Halford. Thousands & thousands of people come out every year around the United States to ride these livesteam models because we promote gay butt sex & same sex marriage

Speaking of models

Is that a tranny?

Brock · 10-02-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Yes thats right. Its very gay Brock Halford. Thousands & thousands of people come out every year around the United States to ride these livesteam models because we promote gay butt sex & same sex marriage
]

Did you provide the rides for the Phelps family reunion, BTW?

vailpass · 10-02-2012, 01:45 PM

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LiveSteam · 10-02-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

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Chest Rockwell · 10-04-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Everybody aboard the Tiny Gay Train. Toot! Toot!

Wait, I thought it was a boat.

Also this: Former NFL Commissioner Gives $100K to Maryland Same-Sex Marriage Effort

Does a thread have to have burst for it to have lost it?

10-01-2012, 08:03 PM
KChiefer Fantastic Planeteer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Champaign, IL Casino cash: $983356	Birk/Kluwe Gay Marriage Debate NFL's Matt Birk: Let's protect marriage -- and speech It should come as no surprise that the National Football League supports the right of its players to share their opinions on important public matters, nor should it come as a surprise that I personally support my colleagues' rights to voice their opinions. But the conversation during the last few weeks on the subject of same-sex marriage has told a different story -- one that appears to be drawing a false connection between supporting true American values like free speech and the institution of marriage, our most fundamental and important social institution. I think it is important to set the record straight about what the marriage debate is and is not about, and to clarify that not all NFL players think redefining marriage is a good thing. The union of a man and a woman is privileged and recognized by society as "marriage" for a reason, and it's not because the government has a vested interest in celebrating the love between two people. With good reason, government recognizes marriages and gives them certain legal benefits so they can provide a stable, nurturing environment for the next generation of citizens: our kids. Children have a right to a mom and a dad, and I realize that this doesn't always happen. Through the work my wife and I do at pregnancy resource centers and underprivileged schools, we have witnessed firsthand the many heroic efforts of single mothers and fathers -- many of whom work very hard to provide what's best for their kids. But recognizing the efforts of these parents and the resiliency of some (not all, unfortunately) of these kids, does not then give society the right to dismiss the potential long-term effects on a child of not knowing or being loved by his or her mother or father. Each plays a vital role in the raising of a child. Marriage is in trouble right now -- admittedly, for many reasons that have little to do with same-sex unions. In the last few years, political forces and a culture of relativism have replaced "I am my brother's keeper" and "love your neighbor as yourself" with "live and let live" and "if it feels good, go ahead and do it." The effects of no-fault divorce, adultery, and the nonchalant attitude toward marriage by some have done great harm to this sacred institution. How much longer do we put the desires of adults before the needs of kids? Why are we not doing more to lift up and strengthen the institution of marriage? Same-sex unions may not affect my marriage specifically, but it will affect my children -- the next generation. Ideas have consequences, and laws shape culture. Marriage redefinition will affect the broader well-being of children and the welfare of society. As a Christian and a citizen, I am compelled to care about both. I am speaking out on this issue because it is far too important to remain silent. People who are simply acknowledging the basic reality of marriage between one man and one woman are being labeled as "bigots" and "homophobic." Aren't we past that as a society? Don't we all have family members and friends whom we love who have same-sex attraction? Attempting to silence those who may disagree with you is always un-American, but especially when it is through name-calling, it has no place in respectful conversation. A defense of marriage is not meant as an offense to any person or group. All people should be afforded their inalienable American freedoms. There is no opposition between providing basic human rights to everyone and preserving marriage as the sacred union of one man and one woman. I hope that in voicing my beliefs I encourage people on both sides to use reason and charity as they enter this debate. I encourage all Americans to stand up to preserve and promote a healthy, authentic promarriage culture in this upcoming election. ----------------------- Matt Birk, a native Minnesotan, is a former center for the Minnesota Vikings and current center for the Baltimore Ravens. http://www.startribune.com/opinion/c...=y&c=n&refer=y
Posts: 3,749

10-02-2012, 01:45 PM	#26
vailpass Yah Mules! Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $196940	ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ __________________ It don't matter what line we hand you When we come a crawlin' in. We ain't wrong, we ain't sorry, An' it's probably gonna happen again. T. Byrd
Posts: 30,903

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