Posted on 07/31/2005 3:19:52 PM PDT by mlmr
THANK YOU. I'm glad somebody got it.
It's interesting that the people who are most concerned that their views will offend others are invariably those who support traditional moral values. When they don't just keep quiet and "mind their own business," they seem embarrassed by what they stand for . . . and they readily offer those who disagree some possible easy-ways-out, especially the "Now this may not apply to your own situation . . . " line. (That very line, in fact, from a poorly-worded research summary by David Popanoe, was a big hit among the pro-shacking crowd on this thread.)
Meanwhile, those who want to destroy the family and family values in this country are adamant in their insistence that theirs are the only enlightened views imaginable. They take offense at the most mild criticism of their behavior, even when they themselves have held out that same behavior as an example for others to follow.
I am convinced that what we need are more social conservatives who are out front about their values. If only one in a thousand prospective landlords expresses misgivings about renting to an unmarried couple, the result will range from outraged offense to lawsuit. But if many or most landlords would say, "I don't never allow people to shack up under my roof," some of this nonsense would end.
I suggest you stop with the personal attacks because I have issues with idiots, especially those who can't spell.
I am concerned that my judgements of others, without knowing them or their circumstances (culture, upbringing, etc.) will offend someone and turn them away from the truth before they ever have a chance to hear, consider, or understand it.
We do need more people who are up front about their values and the God given rights we share and the accountability and responsibility associated with those rights which also originate with and descend from God. But in such a way as to voice them directly, succinctly, and with such a spirit such that those who are not hardened will open their ears and hearts to it...noy be driven away before they ever have a chance to consider it.
That is my only point. It is free advise and meant as simple, constructive advise...nothing more.
Granted, but neither of them were open when (at 6:45 last evening) I had to return the printer and buy a new one.
I'm giving Canon a whirl now. It stood up to printing all the invitations, all the response cards, and all the response envelopes. Tonight I plan to throw the big envelopes at it. We shall see!
Not everyone feels the need to register their intimate personal relationships with the government. There are lots of legally married couples who bounce in and out of a series of marriages with no thought whatsoever for anything but their own immediate pleasure. And there are a lot of unmarried couples who have lasting, committed relationships, and stick together through thick and thin.
Use your own instincts (and credit checks) to determine what kind of people you're dealing with. Don't rely on a government-issued license. The government issued a license to Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Should that have positively influenced anyone's opinion of that relationship?
I highly respect and admire your desire to rent to a married couple. Stick to your guns. :-)
BTW, I think living together before marriage is just plain unacceptable, especially if it involves professed Christians.
"These are sexual criminals, perhaps subject to registration requirements if caught, convicted, and so sentenced in an appropriate jurisdiction."
When is the last time you ever heard of something like that happpening, 1890?
And there are a lot of unmarried couples who have lasting, committed relationships, and stick together through thick and thin.
I havent seen much of this. but you do have a point.
Re the legality of your even inquiring about marital status, that some people on the thread have raised, unless you're in some communist state like Massachusetts, or a communist city (e.g. NYC and a lot of the other big ones), you're in no danger with an apartment in your own home. Last I heard, federal law exempted owner occupied properties with 4 or fewer total units. Most state laws don't go any further than that, but alas there are those communist outposts.
Although personally I don't think marriage matters a whit, it's your home, and if you're so inclined, you should be perfectly free to limit tenants to right-handed blue-eyed Southern Baptists, carrying an affidavit from their pastor stating that they haven't missed church even once in the past 5 years, and who can sing all verses of the Star-Spangled Banner without getting any of the words wrong.
You may be old-fashioned about marriage, but I'm old-fashioned about private property rights :-)
but I'm old-fashioned about private property rights :-)
We have more in common than you realize.
BIG BUMP to that!
Amen.
You said it!
Grazie molto.
Bitte schoen.
I agree. Excellent point.
But I hope you have flame-proof underoos...
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