Why are we still listening to homophobes?

Seriously, why?

The proposals to legislate same-sex marriage is possibly the stupidest debate we've had in this country for a long time. I'm usually open to debate from all sides of opposition to my opinions but there is having an opinion and listening to those who stand against those opinions but when we look at same-sex marriage - what is the argument against it?

I'm being serious. I'm yet to hear one legitimate argument against it. There have been the arguments - mainly from the religious community, especially the Christian Right and Islamists. Much fearmonging has been done amongst these communities as they see their power over the laws of this land slowly slip further and further away.

Arguments I have heard include;

Churches shouldn't be forced to marry gay couples. You're correct that they shouldn't - the state should play no role in forcing a religion to do anything unless to cause physical harm. This bill will not force the Church of England, the Church of Wales or ANY religion to marry anyone. Just like traditional marriage isn't forced upon any church nor shall same-sex marriage.

Marriage is between a man and a woman. No it isn't. Marriage is whatever you think it should be. Just because you believe that marriage is between a man and a woman doesn't mean that everyone else agrees that marriage is just between a man and a woman. Marriage is something that comes from an indefinite amount of love between two people. PEOPLE.

What about the rights of those who disagree. Once again, just because you disagree doesn't mean the rest of the country does. It's the duty of the state to respect the rights of all people to marry and it is not the right of anyone to not be offended by their own bigoted opinions.

They already have civil partnerships, why do they need marriage now? This is the stupidest of the lot. Freedom is not a compromise but an ends product. Imagine that a black couple desire to get married but can only get a civil partnership because of their skin colour. Should they be allowed to marry? Surely not considering they are allowed civil partnerships. See what I'm getting at?

It is the duty of the state to respect those of all sexual orientations who are so much in love that they wish to get married. The laws of this land and the duties of the state shall not be dictated by religious communities anymore - we are building a new and secular social society that shall base itself on the morals of man and not the morals of a, so called, god.