Phatscotty wrote:maybe progress isn't just what you say it is.
My agreement or disagreement is not necessary for progress to take place.
Phatscotty wrote:Maybe people are redefining the word progress just the same as they are redefining marriage?
No one is redefining progress, just as no one is redefining marriage.
Phatscotty wrote:Maybe progress has been highjacked.
I'm not even sure how this is possible.
Phatscotty wrote:Maybe progress is overreaching.
That is what progress does, almost by definition.
Phatscotty wrote:Maybe the issue of progress does not and cannot pertain to the institution of marriage.
I certainly would disagree with this, given that the current state of marriage (referring primarily to the high divorce rate) could do with a great deal of progress.
Phatscotty wrote:perhaps progress is the wrong term to use here?
I suppose if you disagree that it is progress, you might think so, sure.
Phatscotty wrote:Perhaps some people are just using and exploiting progress just because their might be a cash benefit involved?
That is, unfortunately, simple human behavior. This has always been true and, in fact, is largely what does drive progress these days.
Phatscotty wrote:Perhaps gay marriage is just a stepping stone to the issue of gay adoption?
I can see why someone who is against both of those things might believe that to be the case. I believe they are two wholly separate issues that simply have similar "distaste" associated with them by those who disagree with the practice.
Phatscotty wrote:Is any of that a possibility?
Sure.
Phatscotty wrote:I took you off foe to say this. Don't make me regret it! They are honest questions.
If they are truly "honest questions", then I don't really understand what you're looking for. They don't seem to be honest questions to me, but I did try to answer them honestly.
Phatscotty wrote:Whatever the answer is on this issue, the people have had their say. The verdict is in, for now. You are just going to have to keep fighting. If you truly believe these are rights, like the rights we had to fight the Revolutionary war or the Civil war to get and grant, then you are going to have to fight for them, just like everyone else. I think it's about benefits and adoption.
I definitely think it's about benefits. In fact, that's almost the entire issue in my personal view, at least as far as why I personally care about it. I don't really think it's about adoption.