Gay Marriage Opposition--Poll: Most Americans Are Against Same-Sex Marriag

[davidinalameda]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/gaymarr...

A majority of Americans oppose allowing homosexual couples to marry legally, but most also say it's not worth amending the U.S. Constitution to ban such unions, an ABCNEWS poll has found.

[Caution]

1. I want a question phrased like this

Given that opposite sex couples who marry recieve certain benefits (power of attorney, medical visitation rights, inheritance rights, etc).

Do you agree with same sex couples receiving the same benefits as opposite sex couples who marry?

Instead of the question that is designed to elicit a negative response such as:

Should same-sex couple be allowed to marry which is read by most uninformed Americans as:

Do you believe that by allowing same-sex couples access to the sacrament of marriage that the United States will weaken traditional American values?

[virtualobserver]

5. exactly right

which is also why it should be a centerpiece of any Presidential campaign.

People need to understand the implications of these laws.

[curlyred]

8. It's all in how you ask the question

Seriously, the vast majority of people I know believe same-sex partners deserve the benefits and obligations of marriage. These survey questions are phrased in the most negative way possible, whether it's this issue or ole whistle-ass' job performance.

[bluesoul]

2. Telling...

47 pro 45 against only among democrats, that sad....

[jonnyblitz]

4. sad but not suprising...to me anyway.

It is against many people's religious views. Intellectually they might be ok with it, but they "struggle" with it spiritually.

[ButterflyBlood]

3. the demographic breakdown is interesting

it shows that a narrow pluarlity of Democrats think it should be legal, and only 3% more independents think it should be illegal than legal.

in other words, we are closer to the mainstream on this issue. it won't alienate the swing voters too much.

also good news is that a majority oppose a Constitutional amendment, even among Republicans.

[11 Bravo]

6. In that case

individuals opposed to same-sex marriage are advised not to enter into one. Otherwise, they should keep their mouths shut and stop trying to foist their interpretation of morality onto others.

[Zhade]

9. THANK you.

Who says they get the right to tell someone like me I can't marry a guy if I fall in love with one?

[David__77]

7. 18-34 year olds are pro-marriage rights.

One way or the other, the battle for opinion will be won. Either through changing people's minds or winning the young--the future of the nation.

[BattyDem]

10. I don't understand people

Maybe I'm too liberal to be objective, but I honestly don't see how allowing gay people to get married would affect my life in any way whatsoever!

[tapper]

11. What do people think is the impact on churches...?

One thing I've wondered about is how many people mistakenly believe that if a 'gay marriage' law were passed, that a church would be forced to allow gays to get married? It wouldn't, of course. But with the amount of ignorance and mis-information flowing around this country (U.S.), I have to suspect that quite a few people are mistaken no this issue, and that would play into how they respond to a survey.

It's unfortunate, I think, that there are not two different words to separate the secular and sacred aspects of marriage. 'Civil union' is a possibility for the secular side, but I find it a rather unfelicitous phrase...