Gay Marriage

I am extremely sorry for missing my last debate, I honestly forgot about the debate over the weekend (well of course until now). This will not happen again I just had a busy weekend. Again sorry, I will now begin my debate: Definitions: I agree with your amended and added definitions. I would like to just state, though, that I did not add a definition for heterosexual as I did not use it in my argument, so I did not think it needed to be defined, at least in that round. Man: Adult male. Woman: Adult female. Girl: Young/non-adult/non-mature female. Democracy: A system of government (for any nation/kingdom/other) in which all eligible citizens are involved with law and such, through representatives or directly. Koshrut: The act/law (mitzvah) of keeping kosher. Kosher: Dietary laws set by the Torah. Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Homosexuality Sin: As you brought up, just as I did, but with direct quotation, in Judaism intercourse between two men is a sin, but no where in the Torah (the old testament) does it state that marriage between a man and a man is a sin. In ancient Israel punishment was given to a man and a man, but always under the pretense of them sleeping together, at the time any marriage that was not a pre-decided one between a man (usually much older) and a woman (or girl), was inconceivable. But many common modern things were or would have been considered impossible including marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman. Things such as any form of pure or modified democracy, things such as breaking koshrut (in Judaism) or any level of religion other than highly religious. In ancient Israel, for example, not being the norm of orthodox (different than we see today, not Ashkenazi Orthodox or anything still around) would have been considered blasphemous even though not directly said to be so, the punishment would often be death for not keeping as many tzedakot (laws/commandments) as possible. In conclusion, like I have said, marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman is not a definite sin in the Torah, meaning it is not a sin or even frowned upon in Judaism. -The con has stated that due to Christianity's religious texts condemning homosexuality, by "extension" it is so for Judaism, this is not true, to put it bluntly, no Jew believes in/cares about/follows the New Testament and it's teachings unique from Judaism. In Christianity, as the con has set forth, homosexuality is frowned upon, but not neccisarily banned. No punishment is given. Some may feel that the New Testament implies that homosexuality is evil and/or should be banned (which it cannot be, just like how you can't really ban blue eyed people), but due to there not being an exact line/verse saying to do so, we cannot do so and say that we are following the New Testament's teachings and rules. In Islam, the con has found truth that one of it's holy texts, the Quran, condemns and gives punishment for homosexuality and therefore gay marriage. That is true, but it is the minority of the 3 Abrahamic religions that would directly (basically) condemn gay marriage. But religion, like I have stated before should not play into how a modern first world nation is run. One religions teachings should not be the decider of this issue. I again say one religion (of the 3 Abrahmic) as neither Judaism or Christianity directly bans homosexuality and neither gives punishment, therefore neither bans gay marriage. The con asked if I would come forward with religion that "welcomes and regards homosexuality as morally acceptable" I say, no. The debate is "Gay Marriage" not "Homosexuality." If you want me to I will explain the majority of modern Christianity's view on homosexuality, and other non-abrahamic religions, which very clearly do not find issue with homosexuality directly, definitely not gay marriage. I do not mention Judaism here, as the Torah has no problem with gay marriage. I would like to debate the truth/problem behind the following statements you set forth: "Homosexuality can bring huge financial and emotional stress. . . Homosexuality reduces the number of children born in society. . .Homosexuality harms children adopted by the couple." To save time I want to argue whether your first and third statement are true and whether or not your second statement is actually a problem. Please start by giving you argument. Lastly what's your response to both modern Judaism and Christianity almost overwhelmingly accepting homosexuality and gay marriage?