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The Republican Platform On Gay Marriage

The Republican Platform On Gay Marriage

In some cases, republicans argue against gay marriage, but that is occurring with less frequency. In general, republicans are conservative and tend to take stances against gay rights and other controversial issues. However,there are republicans that support the legalization of gay marriage. News trends indicate a shift in support of gay marriage among all political parties. 
In fact, many republicans are either mute on the subject or have changed their stance in order to avoid alienating voters. Republicans have noticed a large shift in public opinion and are not as vocal in speaking out against gay marriage. 
News trends suggest that Republicans in liberal states, must be careful when having a staunch opinion against gay marriage. In fact, politicians have failed to be re-elected based largely on their opinions regarding gay rights and other issues that are generally considered to be liberal issues.
Some republicans offer very vocal support for civil unions and domestic partnerships, even when they are against gay marriage.This accomplishes two things. By supporting other legally recognized same sex relationships, republicans are taking gay rights into consideration. In addition, politicians are less likely to lose votes or alienate voters if they take a stance that appears to be on the middle ground. 
Many politicians on both sides, will push for state referendums on big issues like the Defense of Marriage Act , in order to increase voter turn out. In fact, constituents are very likely to turn out for votes on such issues. By increasing voter turn out for their party, politicians also increase votes for other party issues.  
For example, Presidents Bushes campaign in 2004, is said to have benefited from  inclusion of the Defense of marriage Act on some state ballots, including Ohio. However, in more recent elections, voter support has leaned away from amendments like DOMA. in fact, voters are more likely to support amendments that offer some form of legal recognition for same sex relationships. In fact, Republicans can no longer count on party support for amendments that are against gay marriage.
In recent times, Republicans have learned that they can not count on issues such as the Defense of Marriage Act to increase voter turn out for their party. In fact, some Republicans have found that supporting such amendment actually hinders their campaign.  
In addition, republicans have been losing the support of younger voters, who traditional tend to be in favor of gay marriage. News trends suggest that Republicans that are vocally against gay marriage, have been losing voter support at a higher rate than usual. In fact, such Republicans often become the victims of satire on news channels around the country, which in turn, hurts their party. Gay marriage news trends show that the issue has become too controversial for members of any political party to count on voters support.

How Does the Church Feel About Gay Marriage

How Does the Church Feel About Gay MarriageThe gay marriage issue used to be clearly answered by opposition from religious leaders. In fact, churches were very outspoken in their opposition to gay marriage rights in the past. However, the gay marriage issue is not as cut and dry as it used to be in regards to religious affiliation. While the Catholic Church still holds that marriages are sacred and meant to procreate, many church members believe in legalizing gay marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships. 



In fact, churches are beginning to recognize and respond to, the internal conflict within congregations. In addition, many religious leaders are pushing for laws that ban gay marriage, to help put an end to the conflict within congregations. In fact, church leaders fear that they are becoming the minority on the gay marriage issue. Many churches wish to avoid a divide between government and churches on such issues. 


While the separation of church and state is still very important, churches still seek  reaffirmation of their beliefs, in laws that offer support to those beliefs. In that way, churches do not have to take such a firm stance, because the laws already answer the question for church members.

In addition to the gay marriage issue, many congregations are taking part in the debate about gay clergy. In fact, many churches have excommunicated clergy that have officiated over gay marriage ceremonies or admitted that they were gay. Citing their interpretation of biblical truth, many church leaders are morally opposed to any type of the LGBT lifestyle. 



In fact, many church leaders fear that they will eventually be forced to conform to popular opinion on the gay marriage issue. Church leaders fear that they will be forced to change their teachings in order to conform with public opinion so that they can avoid alienating entire communities. 


In fact, many clergymen fear that they will be forced to perform same sex marriages, in the same way that Catholic doctors perform abortions. However, churches are not generally required to allow same sex ceremonies, even in states that legally allow them to take place.

Many churches supported Proposition 8 in California which effectively banned gay marriage. In fact, churches led the way in gaining support for their side of the gay marriage issue. Conversely, some churches in Canada, where same sex marriage is legal, are willing to perform same sex marriage ceremonies. 


In fact, the United Church of Canada, allows same sex couples to wed in religious ceremonies performed in churches. In addition, Unitarian, Quakers and some community and Jewish synagogues also perform same sex weddings. While this is not necessarily true on a wider scale, it is evident that some congregations are supportive of LGBT rights when it comes to the marriage issue. In fact, the Jewish reform movement has brought wider religious attention to the issue of same sex marriage. Other churches have agreed that congregation members are entitled to equal rights, regardless of sexual orientatio

Big Reform Movements You Should Know

Big Reform Movements You Should Know

Many liberal church members, in all religions, have been outspoken supporters of gay rights. Movements within churches, have been aiming for a wider acceptance of LGBT rights. In fact, some religious leaders have been accused of sparking hatred and violence by arguing against LGBT rights.  

Also, church leaders have been accused of causing suicides, murders and great suffering for members of the LGBT community, and other groups because of their very verbal opposition. By preaching against  the gay rights movement, church leaders have furthered discrimination and vengeance upon the LGBT community. In addition, by turning away from the LGBT community, churches have added to the alienation felt by same sex couples.

In the Jewish reform movement, synagogue members have begun to see Jewish laws as guidelines rather than the binding word of God. In addition, the Jewish reform movement has been very vocal in their support of the gay rights movement. In fact, the Jewish reform movement has been vocal in support of LGBT rights  since the seventies. In fact, they were one of the first to offer both religious and social support for the gay rights movement. 

In 1993, The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, also known as the Union for Reform Judaism, passed a resolution which recognized same sex relationships. In fact, they also passed a resolution to afford same sex couples the same rights and responsibilities generally conferred upon marriage. The Jewish reform movement is vocal in its support for LGBT rights, including gay marriage rights. 

In 2000, a resolution was passed which allowed Rabbis to officiate over same sex marriages. However, Rabbis are no required to do so, if it goes against their personal beliefs on the issue. In addition, it is up to the Rabbi whether or not to consider a same sex marriage as holy, and therefore afford it the same rights as marriage. Also, the Jewish Reform movement has opposed efforts to pass amendments similar to the Defense of Marriage Act because of the belief that it violates LGBT rights.

In addition to the Jewish reform movement, others have taken on the issue of LGBT rights. In general, reform movements seem to effect a gradual change. In fact, the movement is quite different form others, in that it does not hope to effect change in a rapid way. Reform movements have been effective as they allow society to accept change slowly, rather than all at once. The Jewish reform movement is a great example. 

In that case, change was effected slowly so that church members were more comfortable with that change. The gay rights movement in the Jewish reform movement, began with support for the LGBT rights and community as a whole. Later, there was an acceptance of recognition for same sex couples and finally an acceptance of same sex marriage. In essence, reform movements effect slow, yet progressive change without the shock of immediate and drastic change. When society  experiences gradual change, individuals are generally more accepting of that change.

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