If you are against Gay Marriage or Civil Unions, why?

[Smid]

Marriage is a religious thing, according to social conservatives (Not that I totally agree) So if you give the gays benefits without dirtying the religious institute of marriage, their is no harm done.  At least, that’s the justification I’ve been able to piece together, I’d love to hear others reasoning.

Marriage is a religious institution that has existed for thousands of years - before the existence of the US government, before the drafting of the constitution, before european settlers even arrived in the US. To legislate a new definition of marriage destroys the concept of the separation of church and state.

[Smid]

When the Supreme Court banned laws prohibiting inter-racial marriage in 1968, were they violating the separation of church and state?

No, it wasn't violating the separation of church and state, it was overturning the previous law that violated the separation of church and state, in my opinion.

[Smid]

The only issue in my mind is should gay couples get federal benefits, like social security survivor benefits.

Absolutely 100% in favour of removing government-sanctioned financial discrimination against gay couples, such as social securtiy/tax breaks/superannuation, etc. I know that isn't the issue this thread is about, but I agree with that 100%.