Why is gay marriage banned?

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Hmmm..so no answer to the ‘Lord’ thing in the Constitution. I guess since you were wrong…better not ‘go there’.

As for swearing on the bible in court…it is not required by law and anyone may make an affirmation instead of swearing on the bible. lol, two for two. Do you research anything?

The final draft of the 1787 Constitution of the United States makes four references to an “oath or affirmation”: In Article I, Senators must take a special oath or affirmation for the purpose of sitting as the tribunal for impeachment; in Article II, the president is required to take a specified oath or affirmation before entering office (see oath of office); in Article VI, all state and federal officials must take an oath or affirmation to support the U.S. Constitution; and in Amendment I’ve, all warrants must be supported by evidence given under oath or affirmation.

oath OR affirmation for office…as set forth in the Constitution…

please continue…I am enjoying this.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, “the,” being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word “Thirty” being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words “is tried” being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word “the” being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

I too personaly find it not very pleasing what so ever. The Constitution has a lot to do with Christianity and Catholics. Because of the new colonies, right? So this country was a freedom place for Christians. When they made the Constitution most of the people were Christians! This was origonaly a Christian country! (Mostly, there are always some different religions everywhere.) In the Bible the first people were Adam and Eve, male and female people!!! Also, since God is the creator of Earth, he made it so it would take man and woman to make another human being. Not a woman and woman or man and man to become pregnant! In the early days, even before the 1700’s when all of this mostly happened, your life was to be birthed, raised up well, marry and have a family. That was how it is people!!! This was how it was when this country was born!

*Also, since God is the creator of Earth, he made it so it would take man and woman to make another human being. Not a woman and woman or man and man to become pregnant! In the early days, even before the 1700’s when all of this mostly happened, your life was to be birthed, raised up well, marry and have a family.

Lol…’in the early days even before the 1700’s when all of this mostly happened’ ummm…you mean creation?

‘your life was to be birthed, raised up well, marry and have a family’… yes, if you were part of the ruling class and wealthy enough… Rodeodreamer you seem to forget that slavery was a way of life…humans bought and sold…families separated for money…and I am talking about the early days…before the 1700’s…you know Egypt, Rome, etc.

*we do not go around getting in your business about gays/lesbians! Yes you DO.

*Straight people who have higher morals… You forgot to add and are more judgemental, self-righteous and holier than thou…

*And are you saying that there should be a war about gays/straights?? My gosh, if you are incapable of understanding what littlemissitaly was saying…why do you even bother. Her point was that there are many things in history that were wrong…most of us want to progress and grow…I repeat MOST of us.

You certainly are narrow minded for such a young person. Perhaps with maturity you will see your thoughts and actions are cruel, bigoted and judgemental.

WWJD? Tell you to mind your own business and to stop being a bigot and a racist. I refer to your answer about latinos in America.

You should take a look at your Bible, jimahl… the Constitution may not ‘say’ straight forward, but people who are religious do… as was most people!

as for you littlemissitaly, we had a war because most whites abused african american slaves. took away their freedom. Whites were abusing. Straight people who have higher morals, do not abuse gays and lesbians, do we? And are you saying that there should be a war about gays/straights?? we do not go around getting in your business about gays/lesbians!

And excuse me jinhal??? My so called fantasy is a RELIGION. Take a look at your Constitution, I have the right to be Christian! as does gays and lesbians!

milkdud, not even the presidential oath includes the word god. Did you really have the balls to say you have read and studied the constitution and then claim the word ‘lord’ is used? Utopia was kind enough to post the entire constitution. I suggest you take some time to read it for real thiis time.

And excuse me jinhal??? My so called fantasy is a RELIGION. Take a look at your Constitution, I have the right to be Christian! as does gays and lesbians!

rodeodreamer, yes, I did call your religion a fantasy. To me all religions are fantasies. Who said you don’t have the right to be a christian? What does that have to do with denying civil rights to gays?

As other have said it is simple bigotry. But things are changing, and gay mariage will be legal everywhere in the next few decades.

Advocate, don’t worry, most of those arguments are easily debunked, except polygamy. I happen to think consenting adults who want to enter into a polygamous marriage should be allowed. Cousins, and incestual relationships have serious mental and physical health issues.

I, personally think it’s disgusting, as do a lot of people.

satanheadbangstometal, your rant is pretty disgusting in itself. I think eating snails is disgusting, as do a lot of people. Does that mean no one should be allowed to eat them?

There are more straight people than there are gays so people think, well more people will be happy than unhappy if we dont allow it.

There are more white people than black. Does that mean blacks should be denied their civil rights? And how does allowing gays to get married affect straight people in any way? Why would they be happy or unhappy over it. It is none of there business. Most whites used to think inter-racial marriage was wrong to? Did the fact that they are the majortiy make them right?

If they are allowed to get married I think they shouldnt be allowed to get married in a church, im not religious, it’s just messed up.

Two jews can’t get married in a catholic church, it would be no different with gays. It is up to the church. Many people do not get married in churches, and why would a gay couple want to get married in a place where they weren’t wanted, when they can easily have a civil ceremony.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. I’ve.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

How sad this question about equal rights for EVERYONE became a history lesson. How sad the very people waving the flag and referencing the Constitution do not understand it.

Why does anyone care who is getting married? How does that impact your life? It does not in any way impact your life.

Children go to bed hungry every night. Many of our children can’t read. We have become an undereducated, violent country. Our prisons are full, our schools are subpar, and yet the political smokescreen regarding ‘gay marriage’ is thrown to divert our attention from the real problems we face.

I perssonally agree with ‘rodeodreamer’, hey, you asked her for her oppinion. beleive me, I love the Constitution, I have ready and studied it quite a lot. And in there, it does say things, lines, about ‘our Lord’, and stuff. So, I suggest you buy a textbook, research online, whatever you have to do to really get to know your Constitution, Amendment ext… its really interesting, and important. We are living in America, you know. Atleast I think most of us on this page…

Tell you to mind your own business and to stop being a bigot and a racist. I refer to your answer about latinos in America. What is up with that, utopia??? I don’t recall that girl saying anything about latinos??

So I hope I cleared some things up, atleast help see how eachother’s logic..

I did not say you were racist towards littlemissitaly…I said I drew my opinion that you are a bigot and racist from a question you answered about latinos in America. http://www.funadvice.com/q/how_do_scottish_people_view_americans

Trust me…you do NOT represent the opinion of ‘most straights’. What you said was YOUR opinion. I believe most people are not as biased and as bigoted as you.

May I remind you of the swearing in court? You place your hand on the BIBLE! and swear on that BIBLE, that religion, that you will not lie or trick. Please explain that to me

wow I was not being racist to littlemissitaly?? Where did you even get that idea??? And how am all up in lebians and gays face??? She posted this, I was only trying to tell her most straights’ oppinions, as she asked.

people are ignorant, thats why. to me, it doesnt make any sense. what gives people the right to limits the rights of other people? since when can other people choose they way others can live their lives? its ridiculous that so many people fight to ban gay marriage when its not hurting them. its fine if they dont agree, but just because they dont agree doesnt mean they should be able to tell people that they cant get married. last time I checked, religion and government were two separate things entirely and free will existed. why is it that people of a certain religion can get together and say, “sorry, thats wrong. so you can’t marry the one you love.” its absolutely insane, and I dont understand it one bit.

The Constitution has a lot to do with Christianity and Catholics.

Please show me where in the constitution in mentions anything about christianity. You won’t find it. It doesn’t even once mention god. Any god! You are extremely misinformed.

When they made the Constitution most of the people were Christians! This was origonaly a Christian country!

Most of the people were christian, but most of the writers of it were not. They were diests.

The rest of your ridiculous post is just blabbering dogma. Not everyone believes your fantasies.

I would have thought its because most people/goverments are still stuck in the bible says were being gay was suposedly a sin and wrong and that obviously 2 people of the same sex havings sex would make a baby. and that the purpose for mariage was to have sex and then have a baby. being gay obviously doesnt make you or anyother gay/bi/transgender/transexual, ect any less human but it may be a while before the rest of the world realises that and decides to keep there opinions from stopping something that has nothing to do with them or there life

It’s just plain old bigotry wrapped up in a bunch of religious nonsense and silly arguments about the ‘sanctity of the family’, which just means “I’m a homophobe and it scares me because I’m insecure and am also extremely narrow minded”.

people get scared of new things and yes they are ignorant, but mostly they dont know how to treat them because of the way they were raised, so instead of having something new around they get rid of it because they are scared. And I dont think son/mothers or daughter/farthers getting married will ever happen.

religion has nothing to do with getting married because if so than wed be in a perfect world right?? regligion is what everyone hides behind…like first people wouldnt judge people if they cared about religion…and if its so bad leave it in gods hand and legalized it…nobody gets married to make the world happy…like with slavery…more whites than blacks…and all that …so ya

I always thought it was because of the God thing too for a really long time. Then I had an epiphany the other day.

If heterosexuals can marry, why can’t homosexuals marry? If homosexuals can marry, why can’t polygamists marry? If polygamists can marry, why can’t cousins marry? If cousins can marry, why can’t father/daughter or mother/son marry? When will it stop? When do we draw the line?

Personally I think after homosexual marriage is legalized–and it WILL be, sooner than some people think–the conservatives may talk about the argument above, and that’s scary to me. I’m 100% for gay rights, and I can give a hundred and one reasons why it’s fair for them to marry, but I can’t argue against the others. I just don’t see how I could not come off as a hypocrite that way.

I, personally think it’s disgusting, as do a lot of people. There are more straight people than there are gays so people think, well more people will be happy than unhappy if we dont allow it. If they are allowed to get married I think they shouldnt be allowed to get married in a church, im not religious, it’s just messed up. :)

I agree wit all of what advocate says…;;

the only excuse people have for it is for religious reasons..but when you ask for another reason everyone is lost for words.

and ure point is? if the country should stay how it was than wed have slaves…and stupid stuff like that dont be ignorant.

its because people are haters lol

not everybody is the same religion and not everybody thinks the same;; its like forcing their believes onto other people

Mostly because god says it’s bad.

Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

milkdud28…So, you have read and studied the Constitution quite a lot and you state it ‘does say things, lines, about ‘our Lord’, and stuff.’

YOU ARE COMPLETELY WRONG: What follows is the text of the Constitution…I suggest you read it because as you state ‘its really interesting, and important’. I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE WHO THINKS THE CONSTITUTION INCLUDES RELIGION OR REFERENCES TO CHRISTIANITY TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. PLEASE FIND ONE PLACE the LORD is MENTIONED Except in giving the date in Article VII.

Oh and for the latinos comment she made, follow the link I posted…

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

The problem as I see it is that marriage has both religious and legal aspects. If government allows gay marriage it will offend people who’s religion tells them marriage is only between a man and woman. If government prohibits gay marriage they are not allowing gay couples to have the same rights as straight couples. My solution to all of this is to separate the two. Our government only recognizes civil unions which would have all the legal advantages married couples now enjoy. Churches, synagogues, etc. would marry people according to their own requirements. The legal and cultural aspects of pairing would be divided.

advocate: you are using the slippery slope argument. You think if marriage is opened up to gays than the next thing will be polygamists, cousins (1st cousins already can marry everywhere except 24 of the 50 states), incestuous and bestial couples, etc. Slippery slope is in fact a fallacy. This argument is used against all sorts of things and the predicted results do not occur. One could have argued that if we allowed women to vote that soon we would have to let kids vote, then foreigners, then dogs and cats! The former argument is no more credible than the later.

Of course gay and lesbian couples can not have children without external help. They can adopt, use a sperm donor, or a surrogate. If you prohibit gay and lesbian marriage because they can not have kids together than are you going to ban every infertile heterosexual from marrying?