Religion (from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion)
1) a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs;
2) a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects;
3) the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices;
4) the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.
5) the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6) something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.
Science is
not religion in any sense of the definition. Science does not contain any mention of purpose or ritual, nor does it imply any moral code (which also sometimes presents a problem); it is not fundamental because it evolves according to the discoveries made, nor is it tied to a specific group based on belief or even ethics or conscience.
As for gays not being allowed to marry, what is
mariage?
1) the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc;
2) the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock;
3) the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, including the accompanying social festivities;
4) a relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife, without legal sanction.
5) any close or intimate association or union
6) a formal agreement between two companies or enterprises to combine operations, resources, etc., for mutual benefit; merger.
I will abide by the notion that traditionally, mariage has always been between a man and a woman. There is no arguing
that point. But it is a 'social' institution, one that was created ages ago to facilitate procreation. Its history is shrouded in intrigue. It would be nice to understand, but we weren't there. And remember that traditional mariages were also alliances between families, and that love factored not into it much of the time. But then again, mariage has nothing to do with love.
Societies change, and values do the same. If they don't, you get institutions like the Catholic Church, who are still based on models as old as the Roman Empire. No wonder it remains inflexible. The people at the bottom always evolve faster than the people at the top. It's the sad truth of our world.
As I heard somewhere before: There is no better way to express my love for her than with a
legally binding contract. That's love!
