I think individual perceptions of difference are perfectly fine, especially when, like yourself, you separate the personal from the idea of a truth for all. All people view things differently and that's fine.

Especially honourable, and respectable, is what you say in the first paragraph; which for me, is something to be respected - the idea that what we personally think and feel, shouldn't necessarily be treated as what is right for everyone.

This is amazing.
Some guy (gay) has just said this is a big finger up at the church, what a Muppet. In the eyes of, I think all religions a union should only be made between a man and a woman. It's Adam and eve, not Gary and Steve.
So why, if some of you are saying marriage is not a religious thing, do you feel the need to try and change their beliefs. To try and force your opinions on them, walk into religious buildings with your middle finger held high, asking them to join you in marriage. That's wrong. (point, I am not religious, I think it causes more harm than good. But if you can't respect their views, why the fcuk should they respect yours.)
What's wrong with a civil ceremony. I'm sure that provides a couple with the same legal rights as a married couple, does it not?
As for children... You need only two things to make one, a man, and a woman. Any other way of "creating" people is just a bit wrong.
That's what were here for, that's what we do. We are attracted to the opposite sex, and we reproduce. If we don't do this the human race would / should cease to exist. (without the help of science etc)
That's all just my opinion, like it or not I'm entitled to it, same as anybody else.

What I ask you is this...... A gay man or woman says that instead of being attracted to the opposite sex, they are attracted to the same sex. They cannot help this, and the world and religions should all except this, and even help them celebrate this. It is 2015 of course, times are changing.
So then we have a man or woman who instead of being attracted to another man or woman, is instead attracted to a child. They too would probably argue that they cannot help feeling this way, they were born like this etc.
How long is it before enough paedophiles get together and start petitioning for their rights, times are changing etc, etc.
That's wrong.
Some things shouldn't be changed.
No matter what fricking year we are in.

It should be at the centre of western thought. The acceptance of difference as reality without value judgement.

Different strokes for different folks.

How we view the world is fine for ourselves and those with similar mindsets but for any society with pretension of cohension to work people must be free to be themselves.

This doesn't mean that everyone has to like it of course and that's also ok.

I don't like the traditions I was bought up with being changed but so what. What is more important is that acceptence that the principles of democracy produce societies that while they...... rarely please everybody....At least allow for everyone to live productive lives.

I felt, in terms of sexuality that was provided for with the law change to allow same sex unions but this obviously wasn't enough.

I'd prefer a more simple world with less shifting sands but there you go.

You do realise that this doesn't include marriages performed by religions, and that those religions are exempt from being 'forced under equal opportunities laws' to conduct gay weddings.

As such, its not a religious, but legal issue of state. So in reality, by making it about 'god and religeon' people are forcing their religious views onto a matter that is purely secular (it has now impact on religious marriages).

Good decent into hyperbole - Of course its exactly the same as pedophiles. Also, pedophiles did that in the 70s. Didn't take.