Pete and ake: I, for one, think that you have a right to question all aspects of sexuality, including homosexual sex - whether you consider it from a moral or biblical standpoint, a health perspective, or from a sociological view. The right to disagree, should be sacred and should be respected.

HOWEVER the decision to marry is a decision made by two people - not by the majority of voters, not by churches or government, not by health authorities or sociologists. This is a decision that affects primarily the couple who choose to marry. It affects them profoundly, but has very little effect on the rest of society. Why is it that you think that others should prevail in this decision, and not the people directly involved?

I think the 61% majority vote in Ireland is not an indication that 61% of the people wholeheartedly approve of gay marriage. I think the message is that 61% of the people are fair-minded enough to think that they do not have the right to prevail over individual decisions on this very personal matter.

Why do you seem to think otherwise?

I raise this question in Catholic circles whenever I get the chance. A surprising number of Catholics, priests and nuns more than lay people, agree with me.

Yes, you heard me right. Catholic priests and nuns are generally well-educated people, and they usually understand the concept of how and when individual rights should prevail. Bishops, however, sometimes have a different concept - "authority" is very important to them, since they are in Upper Management.

-Joe-