This thread has stirred things up. I had a quick read over it since I last visited and it is very clear that some people think that thier belief in a certain faith means that everybody else should just excuse the times when that faith is not in line with the law of the land. That way, surely, comes disaster. If one business is allowed to do/not do something because the owners of the business find it is not in accordance with their faith then why not all faiths and all business? Or do you want only one faith (yours) to have such special treatment?
They broke the law--that is clear--and have been found guilty. The recent vote in Ireland has shown that most people in the south see nothing wrong with gay marriage, and this is in a place where the church runs most of the schools and taught most of the people that voted "yes". Most people there still say they are christain and yet accept homosexuality as a natural and normal part of life.
jinglbellsfrocks--there is a theory which explains a positive evolutionary place for homosexuality. It says that if a breeding pair have a "gay" uncle then that pair have another adult supporting their offspring without competing for females or having offspring of thier own. This is seen in some wolf groups, where only one pair breed and the others support them. Homosexual behaviour is seen in these groups (and in most mammals) and is not unusual. It also (sort of ) explains why some mammals, us for example, have females that continue to live for some time after we can no longer reproduce. Older, but infertile females support thier daughters offspring. There is no evolutionary place for post-menopausal women either, if our only job is to reproduce.
soontobe--you are completly able to believe what ever you want. But surely you do not want to force others to conform to your world view? Why would you want others, who do not agree with you, to have to conform to your rules?