The Chick Fil A Flap

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

Some would say, such as Libertarians and me (for different reasons), that such a thing as "legal marriage [that] is a civic function governed by law" constitutes something that some people believe in (I presume you, KarmaContestant, are one such person), and that they (you) are using the force of government "to influence [my] rights and privileges."

Why should my taxpayer money go toward maintaining and facilitating the institution of legal marriage (regardless of how it is defined)?

Me being allowed to marry is not an infringement on your rights or privileges. Even if I marry, you still have the right (and privilege) to disagree, and to not be forced into marriage with another homosexual.

Now, I suppose you technically have a point with the tax issue. If you pay taxes, and those taxes are used to pay the salary of the fellow who is granting me a marriage license, then yes - your tax dollars are being used to support something that you may be opposed to on moral or religious grounds. However, this is an inevitable side effect of being a citizen in a nation funded by taxes. Why should my taxpayer money go toward:

War for profit.
The criminalization of drugs.
Capital Punishment, and in fact our entire American prison system.
Enforcing the requirement that we have drivers license to drive a car.
All oil/gas/corn/wheat/tobacco subsidies.
Any laws or obstacles restricting the free movement of people and animals around the planet.
The enforcement of anti-polygamy laws. (Yes, I support bigamous and polygamous marriages as well.)
Any local requirements to spay, neuter or register your pets.
Elected politicians receiving a salary, not only for doing their elected duty - but for the rest of their lives.

Furthermore, one could argue that the taxes I pay are used to make up lost revenue from the tax credits that are given to married heterosexual couples.

I pay taxes that may or may not be used directly or indirectly for implementation or enforcement of any one of these purposes, despite being opposed to them for moral or spiritual reasons. It is the sacrifice I make for being an American citizen - all the money goes into the same pot and none of us gets to pick and choose what it is spent on.

Do you believe that opponents of marriage for gays should be granted an exception?