Utah says its same-sex marriage ban is about protecting religious traditions and children

[Redfairen]

The state of Utah has just filed a response in the federal court case over its same-sex marriage ban. The article contains quite a number of relevant quotes and I can't include them all here. It's worth reading the whole piece to get a fuller picture of what they're arguing.

http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile[phone]/marriage-state-utah-sex.html.csp

The state of Utah offered a tailored defense of its ban on same-sex marriage in a brief filed late Monday evening with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing its laws are all about the long-term interests of children.

Utah has chosen a definition of marriage that is "principally a child-centered institution, one focused first and foremost on the welfare of children rather than the emotional interests of adults," the state said. "And by reinforcing that understanding, the state gently encourages parents to routinely sacrifice their own interests to the legitimate needs and interests of their children."

That definition is not designed to demean other family structures "any more than giving an ‘A’ to some students demeans others," the state said.

But redefining marriage in "genderless" terms likely would result in lower reproductive rates and fewer children being raised in the ideal environment provided by biological, opposite-sex parents, the state said.

[shenmue]

1. What about 'no law respecting an establishment of religion' do they not understand?

Why do some people's religions deserve more protection than others? If Utah wants to be a theocracy, why doesn't it just secede? It'll lose, but at least they could try to be consistent.

[MissMillie]

2. free market conservatives

should know that religious traditions shouldn't need government help to keep them going. If the ideas are good, the market will embrace them.

[atreides1]

3. It's all about the children

Unless their parents forget to put money on the children's lunch accounts...then it's not!

[loudsue]

4. This from a cult that supported polygamy?

Some things just make you go

[LostOne4Ever]

5. The right wing's homophobia gets stupider and stupider

Gay marriage will in no way result in lower reproductive rates and religious traditions are not only varied but are not the governments responsibility.

These bigots are fucking morons.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. So childless couples in Utah must be forced to turn in their married status.

Ditto for couples who have *only* adopted children. What about couples who are raising children who are biologically related to only one of them? Is this an invalid marriage too in the eyes of the state?

Utah, still a theocracy.

[Solly Mack]

7. So, discrimination is 'for the children'?

Seriously? That's their argument?

It's 'for the children'?

What a crock of shit.

"The attorneys said that while the state endorses no religious beliefs about marriage..."

But then goes on to justify their reasoning with religion.

"...its laws are supported by approximately 20 of the 25 largest faith communities in Utah who "understand marriage and sexuality as gifts from God" and primarily designed to bear and raise children."

"These beliefs are tied not only to theology but also to religious and family practices..."

"Upending that understanding of marriage would create potential for "religion-related strife," it said, impacting rights of religious organizations or members to carry out faith-based or business activities."

[justiceischeap]

8. Didn't a Federal Judge somewhere say that denying

same-sex couples the right to marry actually did more damage to the children than not allowing them (us) to marry? I thought that came up in the DOMA Supreme Court decision. So I don't know how they think they can use this argument and win.

[msongs]

9. typical mormon - other religions permitting gay marriage can shove it. thanks a lot nt