Hammerer:1080p:bradstewart:kyhwana2:Klipspringer:
Over 50% of kiwis are Christians so yes we really should be getting a Christian perspective.
I think you'll find that the majority of kiwi's are not longer christian. Or if they are, they aren't the SAME kind of christian. (That is, they believe in different gods).
For someone who has just gone on a massive attack against religion, you clearly know nothing about that which you're attacking anyway. Maybe you could do with a quick trip over to Wikipedia.
This thread has actually kept a rather respectful and civil tone despite clear differences in opinion. But your posts are completely unnecessary and will only serve to derail the thread.
*points to the door*
The previous posts by this member all simply state facts. I don't find them unnecessary at all given that many opinions expressed here are based upon various religions. The key point to take away is that religion has no place in this debate.
Why should "religion should have no place in this debate". You're trying to provide a privileged position for so-called non-religious positions. It is like saying that "culture", "race", "philosophy" or "family background" should have no place in this debate given their strong association with "religion".
The key point to take away is that humanity has no place in this debate.
Not at all. Your reply is a nicely decorated straw man with a splash of false dilemma.
My reasoning behind religion being inappropriate here is that the issue at hand is being decided at a state level. Religion and state do not and cannot mix because we guarantee all members of our society freedom of religion and expression. If we were to base our state level decisions upon what Christians believed then what would that mean for all those citizens who follow Allah or no god at all?
To clarify:
1) Reasoning that marriage may not apply to homosexual people because a particular belief system prohibits this is only appropriate where discussion of that belief system is appropriate.
2) Belief systems have no place in state legislation.
Therefore, religion has no place deciding that marriage at a state level may not include homosexual people.