[John O]

So it's OK for Jews to engage in polygamy?

I know that the rabbis today do not recognize it. I'll have to check and see if it is overruled by the rest of the torah and scriptures.

Of course this is beside the point as we were talking Bible and not Jewish scripture. (As I understand it there is another body of writings that they also follow. More of a interpretation of how the law is to be applied. Any Jewish Freepers out there who can clarify for me?)

me->"The bible clearly states that those who practice homosexuality are to be destroyed (OT)."

You->In other words, when it comes to civil rights, for instance the right not to be killed because of something the Bible says, the law supports NOT following Biblical dogma.

More correctly stated as the Bible gives the civil authority the sword to enforce biblical principle and that those civil authorities are failing to do so. In the NT even though 'homosexuals' were recognized as still being abomination there is no command to destroy them. They are recognized as being curable however.

You have to look at the entirety of scripture before you can jump to such judgements as you make.

So then, what's the objection to same sex marriages, other than "we've never done this before"

Marriage is a covenent between one man and one woman. Not between two men. (For those who refuse to recognize the spiritual aspect of life,) Physiology rules here. Marriage is designed to provide the best environment for raising children. A 'same-sex marriage' will never meet that requirement. The practice of homosexual behavior is damaging to those who do it, those who are exposed to it, and to society as a whole. It should not be allowed let alone encouraged

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I'll have to check and see if it is overruled by the rest of the torah and scriptures."

It has nothing to do with what the Rabbis think, no one can engage in polygamy.

So then, marriage laws are not necessarily based on Biblical dogma.

As such, these laws are subject to challenges by individual citizens, and should be applied equally to all citizens with no distinction to sex.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"More correctly stated as the Bible gives the civil authority the sword to enforce biblical principle and that those civil authorities are failing to do so."

Then again, the Bible also demands that anyone who works on Sunday be put to death...are you in favor of that?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman."

Holy Matrimony is a covenant, civil marriage is a legal contract.