Quote:Good ruling, though I'm sure many will disagree.


Though I do find it interesting that ol' Roberts wrote this after the way he ruled on Obamacare:

 

 

Very good point regarding the difference between the two rulings.

 

As far as this ruling, I have mixed feelings.  However, I do agree with Justice Kennedy's statement later on in the initial quote that the OP posted.

 

Quote: 

They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

 

I'm going to "walk a tightrope" here since I am going to bring up religion with my response, but I'm going to do my best to keep it general in nature.

 

Though I do lean conservative, I do believe in that statement.  I have said on here in the past that I have nothing against unions between people of the same sex.  I do believe that they should be able to enjoy the same legal benefits as traditional married couples.

 

As far as calling it a "marriage", my personal belief is that there are two "definitions" of marriage, one being a religious definition and the other being a legal definition.  The religious definition happens to define a union between a man and a woman.  The legal definition now defines it as a union between two people.

 

My fear is that this is going to encroach on other people's liberties.  I'm not talking about religious houses of worship as much, though my fear is that this is going to come into play very soon.  I'm talking about private businesses and even private property.

 

Here is an example of where this is going.  A couple in upstate New York offers their property for birthday and wedding celebrations for a fee.  A lesbian couple wanted to use their property for their wedding.  The owners offered the property for a reception, but would not allow the actual ceremony on their property based on their religious beliefs.  The couple sued, and a court ruled that they were "discriminated" against, so the owners are/were faced with paying some hefty fines.  That, to me is wrong.

 

My bottom line is, I am all for same-sex couples being able to enter a legal/emotional union for legal purposes.  What I am against is private property owners, private business and houses of worship being forced to accommodate these unions.  In my mind, if you are a gay couple and want to do business with someone that rejects you, find another business.  Don't make the law force a business to accommodate you simply on your belief if it goes against the business owner's own beliefs.

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