Gay Marriage Amendment

pookie,

We disagree on so many different levels. At the crux is that we have differing and opposed world views. Please don?t think that this is what I consider the most pressing issue in the world today. There are many other current events that are of more immediate importance. The topic however is same sex marriage. Because of my world view, which is based on what I believe is absolute truth, marriage was ordained by God. He set the rules I did not. I also do not believe that God would create someone gay. By saying that I specifically mean that a person may be born with a tendency or weakness that makes them more susceptible to become a homosexual. I consider this the same as any other sin, so do not think that I consider myself any better. Whether you speaking of lying, stealing, addiction to drugs/alcohol or sexual promiscuity; it comes out of weakness. Along that same line, a person should not be defined by their weakness. It is merely one characteristic and not their character as a whole. That is one reason I can say that I do not hate homosexuals, but disagree with their lifestyle and mean it. We obviously vehemently disagree with each other that does not mean that I hate you. I don?t have any reason to hate them. When I made a comment about other civilizations that have fallen, I was not implying that it was because of same sex marriage or homosexuals. Free sexuality and weakening of the family were part of the end. I consider the family to be the building block of our society. With strong families we can have strong communities. With strong communities we can have a strong country. There are many things that have weakened the American family. Confusion of gender roles is only one part. Twenty years ago no one probably thought that there would be same sex marriage and today we have it. What?s the next step? I have included a number of links. I suggest checking out the first one. It is located in Canada and I believe is actually in opposition to my personal views. I would like to close this discussion with a quote from Will Durant an American writer and historian. He Said ?Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty and dies with chaos?.

Me Solomon Grundy

http://www.myfaith.com/Homosexuality-A-Biblical-View.htm

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0,1701,M%253D200261,00.html

http://www.narth.com/

[quote]Lorisco wrote:
Solomon Grundy wrote:
pookie wrote:
Do you seriously want me to explain my signature or why I use it?

Yes.

Solomon Grundy was one of Superman?s adversaries. On the carton ?The Super Friends? He talked that way, usually be saying ?me Solomon Grundy?.

Me Solomon Grundy

And Solomon Grundy has an IQ of what, 50!

[/quote]

Add his 50 + my 63 and you get a cool 80. See I ain’t so Dum.

Me Solomon Grundy

[quote]pookie wrote:
ZEB wrote:
Not all. Simply stating that there is not one productive, civilized long lived society in antiquity that had included two homosexuals marrying.

Again: Your point?[/quote]

Your point by attempting to seem like my above point is invalid is that it matters not what 5000+ years of civilizations have done.

There is no “new” moral issue that modern man faces that ancient man did not also face. And everytime the subject of homosexual “marriage” came up (if it ever did) it was apparently not accepted.

That you try to play down what millions and millions of people have thought about and studied many many many more times than we have is simply ridiculous.

Arbitrary? No not at all. We are saying "you two…yea the two same sex folks over there, you can’t get married. One man one woman only.

Sorry.

That’s NOT arbitrary.

Also, it’s interesting how you put that “restraints.” You wrote that as if it’s a bad thing to have certain restraints in some very key areas.

And I think certain restraints are very good for society.

You really do think like a liberal. And I’m not trying to insult you. I just find it fascinating.

[quote]NE2000 wrote:
You could use all the same gay support arguments for the obese, but you wouldn’t support the obese, because their lifestyle is disgusting to you. One can argue they are born with that genetic predisposition a hell of a lot better than homosexuality. Do they deserve special protection or “rights” under the law? [/quote]

Good point.

We can also throw in alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.

[quote]Solomon Grundy wrote:
Lorisco wrote:
Solomon Grundy wrote:
pookie wrote:
Do you seriously want me to explain my signature or why I use it?

Yes.

Solomon Grundy was one of Superman?s adversaries. On the carton ?The Super Friends? He talked that way, usually be saying ?me Solomon Grundy?.

Me Solomon Grundy

And Solomon Grundy has an IQ of what, 50!

Add his 50 + my 63 and you get a cool 80. See I ain’t so Dum.

Me Solomon Grundy [/quote]

O Tay!

Sigh,

It always make me sad to read such ignorance.

Look, it’s okay to be opposed to it, but you don’t have to invent really stupid reasons in order to try to show you have a reason other than religion, or whatever the purpose is.

Also, as much as a few of you appear to enjoy being bigoted and prejudicial, it doesn’t matter if there is a higher percentage of this or that in one group or another, as everyone who doesn’t have those features does not deserved to be painted with the same brush.

This is the same old bigotry and hatred that has existed for thousands of years, it just has a new target. It truly saddens me that we have advanced so much but that people are still so small.

[quote]vroom wrote:
Sigh,

It always make me sad to read such ignorance.

Look, it’s okay to be opposed to it, but you don’t have to invent really stupid reasons in order to try to show you have a reason other than religion, or whatever the purpose is.

Also, as much as a few of you appear to enjoy being bigoted and prejudicial, it doesn’t matter if there is a higher percentage of this or that in one group or another, as everyone who doesn’t have those features does not deserved to be painted with the same brush.

This is the same old bigotry and hatred that has existed for thousands of years, it just has a new target. It truly saddens me that we have advanced so much but that people are still so small.[/quote]

vroom, my friend, you are confused.

There are many of us who simply do not want homosexuals to marry. We respect the long standing tradition of one man, one woman as marriage partners.

It does not mean that we hate anyone. It simply means that we love the institution of marriage as it stands.

And it seems that the overwhelming majority in the US agree with us.

[quote]Lorisco wrote:
Good, then maybe you need to take a look at the statistics that show how homosexual men have a much higher rate of molesting young boys than heterosexual. Zeb can fill you in on the details. [/quote]

I’m sure he can. Zeb is an amazing source of dubious studies and thinly veiled half-truths. Apparently, while he was perfecting his chin up technique, his head hit the bar a lot.

You wouldn’t happen to have a slightly more objective source?

No, I think those are better categorized as pedophiles, you know, your favorite word.

Pedophiles. “Deviant” is just about the broadest brush you could find, isn’t it?

No. Does the fact that some child molesters are straight mean that there is something inherently deviant about all straights? Too broad a brush, once again.

Do you ever re-read what you write and think about it before hitting that “Submit” button?

And you are? Please, Dr., enlighten us with your degrees and do tell in what medical, psychological or behavioral field is your expertise? Do they hand out degrees in Applied Mental Retardation nowadays?

Wow, that was quite the comeback.

And again, what college was is that gave you your medical training? Is it from Imaginary College in Myhead, Utah?

[quote]Solomon Grundy wrote:
Because of my world view, which is based on what I believe is absolute truth, marriage was ordained by God. He set the rules I did not. I also do not believe that God would create someone gay.[/quote]

Does your worldview make allowance for the possibility that you might be wrong?

Nor I you. What interest would there be in debating with someone who shares every opinion?

See? On that we agree.

Isn’t a community that embraces differences a stronger community than one who ostracizes some of its members?

That sounds quite good, but I think it greatly oversimplifies the actual dynamics at work in the lifespan of a civilization. If the US ever falls as an empire, I’d wager it would have more to do with a failed economy and with the younger generation emigrating abroad to wherever the opportunities then happen to be.[/quote]

[quote]pookie wrote:
Lorisco wrote:
Good, then maybe you need to take a look at the statistics that show how homosexual men have a much higher rate of molesting young boys than heterosexual. Zeb can fill you in on the details.

I’m sure he can. Zeb is an amazing source of dubious studies and thinly veiled half-truths. [/quote]

Actually, the amazing part about studies that I have posted is the fact that YOU cannot refute even one of them!

And…it ought to be easy to refute those “half truths,” if that really were the case… But you and your little group just can’t seem to do it huh?

:slight_smile:

Yes, insults are good. But they just don’t take the place of a good refutation of the facts that I have presented. But since you have no counter argument…better stick to the put downs.

Your lacking pookie…And looking bad!

[quote]ZEB wrote:
Actually, the amazing part about studies that I have posted is the fact that YOU cannot refute even one of them![/quote]

Zeb,

There is a lot of people/money behind most studies and their presentation as supporting a viewpoint. Just because an individual does not have the time or money to unravel the bullshit trail does not in any way validate the stuff you are posting.

As long as you realize that.

Heres a thought instead of debating on a forum were a select few read about this topic why dont you go picket in the streets talk to your congress and senate send letters to everyone and any one if you care so much.

I really dont believe that many people care about this topic that much but when we see a new topic pop up, we google it and try to find the most bs we can find and put down here so we can seem so very smart in front of any one.

[quote]ZEB wrote:
Actually, the amazing part about studies that I have posted is the fact that YOU cannot refute even one of them![/quote]

It’s already been done, just search a bit. As with any other heavily politicized issue, both camps have tons of studies to support their side and denigrate the opposition’s.

This issue involves morals, freedoms and human rights. No matter where you stand on the issue, it can’t be decided by using scientific and social studies. You can use some of those studies to back up your position; but the opposite views does the same.

It think the best way to decide it is simply to let the people vote on it and accept the result. Check again when (or if) it becomes apparent that the majority has had a change of heart.

Ah, are you in a bad mood today, Zebby? I was just kidding, you know. We all know you were already a fucking nutjob way before you ever touched a chining bar.

My lacking? What’s a lacking?

[quote]ZEB wrote:
harris447 wrote:
ZEB wrote:
harris447 wrote:
Jews are not a race.

I said “ethnic backgrounds.”

All meaningful nasty insults aside. I don’t think anyone can actually converse with you as you have no idea what they are saying.

You apparently try to read the words but for some reason you are not seeing them…

It’s freaking weird.

Mmm, yes: I’m the dumb one.

Thank you for admitting it. And to show that you are in fact correct with this statement you posted the following to further prove your stupidity:

I’m the one who thinks people can change what sexually arouses them by praying really hard.

Where in the world did I ever post that statement?

I posted volumes on those who have changed due to something called THERAPY!

If you like I’ll post the incredible amount of studies that demonstrate that anywhere from 30% to 70% of those with a same sex attraction dropped it and became heterosexuals!

And I might add that after you attend somne remedial reading classes I suggest therapy for you as well.

But your kind of therapy should be centered around “anger management.”

[/quote]

Is or is not “reparative therapy” based around religion?

This is the largest participant in “ex-gay” bullshit. Here is a blurb from their website:

For 30 years, Exodus has served men and women who are affected by homosexuality. Freedom is possible through Jesus Christ!

It’s religious. There are no anti-gay groups that are not based in religion.

You believe people can change their sexual orientation through praying about it, and that makes you a fucking idiot.

[quote]vroom wrote:
ZEB wrote:
Actually, the amazing part about studies that I have posted is the fact that YOU cannot refute even one of them!

Zeb,

There is a lot of people/money behind most studies and their presentation as supporting a viewpoint. Just because an individual does not have the time or money to unravel the bullshit trail does not in any way validate the stuff you are posting.

As long as you realize that.
[/quote]

Okay, as long as YOU realize that NOT proving any of my material wrong and simply criticizing it from left field makes your side look like they are not up to the fight.

[quote]pookie wrote:
We all know you were already a fucking nutjob way before you ever touched a chining bar.[/quote]

One more post and still you can’t refute my data. All you can say is that “there’s data out there that refutes it.”

Wow…great argument.

LOL

Once again, no refutation but more insults. You are almost getting to the harris level pookie. Not quite as you have not fried your brain on drugs yet. But close…

[quote]ZEB wrote:
Okay, as long as YOU realize that NOT proving any of my material wrong and simply criticizing it from left field makes your side look like they are not up to the fight.
[/quote]

I have a “side”? Can I, like, collect money from them or something? I didn’t know I had a so much of a following…

Anyway, criticisms may not be as from “left field” as you may like to imagine they are.

[quote]harris447 wrote:

Is or is not “reparative therapy” based around religion?

This is the largest participant in “ex-gay” bullshit. Here is a blurb from their website:

For 30 years, Exodus has served men and women who are affected by homosexuality. Freedom is possible through Jesus Christ!

It’s religious. There are no anti-gay groups that are not based in religion.

You believe people can change their sexual orientation through praying about it, and that makes you a fucking idiot.[/quote]

Wow harris, you have had some stupid posts in the past…Oh let’s face it no one tops you when it comes to not understanding very basic data.

But this time, you really went all the way huh?

Here is the data that I have posted and reposted many many times on the other “gay thread.”

"Changing Sexual Orientation or Behavior

(May 9, 2001). Press Release, National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, Prominent Psychiatrist Announces New Study Results: “Some Gays can Change.” (last updated May 8, 2001.)

“Like most psychiatrists,” says Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, “I thought that homosexual behavior could be resisted, but sexual orientation could not be changed. I now believe that’s untrue–some people can and do change.”
Acosta, F., (1975) Etiology and treatment of homosexuality: review. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 4:9-29.
??better prospects for intervention in homosexual life and in its prevention through the early identification and treatment of the potential homosexual child.? (p. 9)
Aries, P. and A. Bejin, ed., Male Homosexuality in Western Sexuality: Practice and Precept in Past and Present Times, 40-61, cited by Joseph Nicolosi in Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson Inc., 1991), 124-125.

Bieber, I., et al. (1962) Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study of Male Homosexuals. NY: Basic Books.
?The therapeutic results of our study provide reason for an optimistic outlook. Many homosexuals became exclusively heterosexual in psychoanalytic treatment. Although this change may be more easily accomplished by some than by others, in our judgment a heterosexual shift is a possibility for all homosexuals who are strongly motivated to change.? (p. 319)
Bieber, I., Bieber, T. (1979) Male homosexuality. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 24, 5:409-421.
?We have followed some patients for as long as 20 years who have remained exclusively heterosexual. Reversal estimates now range from 30% to an optimistic 50%.? (p.416)
Cappon, D., (1965) Toward an Understanding of Homosexuality. Englewoord Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Of patients with bisexual problems 90% were cured (i.e., no reversions to homosexual behavior, no consciousness of homosexual desire and fantasy) in males who terminated treatment by common consent. Male homosexual patients: 80% showed marked improvement (i.e., occasional relapses, release of aggression, increasingly dominant heterosexuality)? 50% changed.? (p. 265-268)
Clippinger, J., (1974) Homosexuality can be cured. Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy. 21, 2:15-28.
?Of 785 patients treated, 307, or approximately 38%, were cured. Adding the percentage figures of the two other studies, we can say that at least 40% of the homosexuals were cured, and an additional 10 to 30% of the homosexuals were improved, depending on the particular study for which statistics were available.? (p. 22)
Fine, R., (1987) Psychoanalytic theory. (in Diamant L. Male and Female Homosexuality: Psychological Approaches. Washington: Hemisphere Publishing.) 81-95.
??a considerable percentage of overt homosexuals became heterosexual? If patients were motivated, whatever procedure is adopted a large percentage will give up their homosexuality? The misinformation that homosexuality is untreatable by psychotherapy does incalculable harm to thousands of men and women?? (p. 85-86)
Fitzgibbons, R., (1999) The origins and therapy of same-sex attraction disorder. (in Wolfe, C. Homosexuality and American Public Life. Spence) 85-97.
“The second most common cause of SSAD [same sex attraction disorder] among males is mistrust of women?s love? Male children in fatherless homes often feel overly responsible for their mothers. As they enter their adolescence, they may come to view female love as draining and exhausting.? (p. 89)
?Experience has taught me that healing is a difficult process, but through the mutual efforts of the therapist and the patient, serious emotional wounds can be healed over a period of time.? (p. 96)
Goetze, R. (1997) Homosexuality and the Possibility of Change: A Review of 17 Published Studies. Toronto Canada: New Directions for Life.
44 persons who were exclusively or predominantly homosexual experienced a full shift of sexual orientation.
Hatterer, L., (1970) Changing Homosexuality in the Male. NY: McGraw-Hill.
49 patients changed (20 married, of these 10 remained married, 2 divorced, 18 achieved heterosexual adjustments); 18 partially recovered, remained single; 76 remained homosexual (28 palliated ? 58 unchanged) ?A large undisclosed population has melted into heterosexual society, persons who behaved homosexually in late adolescence and early adulthood, and who, on their own, resolved their conflicts and abandoned such behavior to go on to successful marriages or to bisexual patterns of adoption.? (p. 14)
James, Elizabeth (1978) Treatment of Homosexuality: A Reanalysis and Synthesis of Outcome Studies (PhD dissertation, University Library).
Elizabeth James meta-analyzed over 100 outcome studies published between 1930 and 1976, and concluded that when all the research was combines, 35% of homosexual clients “recovered” and 27% improved.
Kaye, H., Beri, S., Clare, J., Eleston, M., Gershwin, B., Gershwin, P., Kogan, L., Torda, C., Wilber, C. (1967) Homosexuality in Women. Archives of General Psychiatry. 17:626-634.
??optimism in the psychoanalytic treatment of homosexual women. ?at least a 50% probability of significant improvement in women with this syndrome who present themselves for treatment and remain in it.? (p. 634)
Kronemeyer, R. (1980) Overcoming Homosexuality. NY: Macmillian
?For those homosexuals who are unhappy with their life and find effective therapy it is ?curable?.? (p.7)
MacIntosh, H. (1994) Attitudes and experiences of psychoanalysts. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 42, 4: 1183-1207.
824 male patients of 213 analysts ? 197 (23.9%) changed to heterosexuality, 703 received significant therapeutic benefit; and of the 391 female patients of 153 analysts ? 79 (20.2%) changed to heterosexuality, 318 received significant therapeutic benefit. (p. 1183)
MacIntosh, H. (1995) Attitudes and Experiences of Psychoanalysts in Analyzing Homosexual Patients. Journal of the American Psychiatric Association 1183.
422 psychiatrists were asked if they had successfully treated homosexuals, and did they agree that a homosexual can be changed to heterosexual. Of the 285 responses, which involved 1,215 homosexuals, the survey stated that 23% changed to heterosexuality. 84% benefited significantly by reducing their attraction to other members of the same gender, with a decrease in homosexual activity.
Marmor, J. (1975) Homosexuality and Sexual Orientation Disturbances. (In Freedman, A., Kaplan, H., Sadock, B. Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry: II, Second Edition. Baltimore MD: Williams & Wilkins)
?This conviction of untreatability also serves an ego-defensive purpose for many homosexuals. ?however, there has evolved a greater therapeutic optimism about the possibilities for change? There is little doubt that a genuine shift in preferential sex object choice can and does take place in somewhere between 20 and 50 per cent of patients with homosexual behavior who seek psychotherapy with this end in mind.? (p. 1519)
Newman, L., (1976) Treatment for the parents of feminine boys. American Journal of Psychiatry. 133, 6: 683-687.
?Experiences of being ostracized and ridiculed may play a more important role than has been recognized in the total abandonment of the male role at a later time.? (p. 687)
?Feminine boys, unlike men with postpubertal gender identity disorders seem remarkably responsive to treatment.? (p. 684)
Nicolosi, J., Byrd, A., Potts, R. (1998) Towards the Ethical and Effective Treatment of Homosexuality. Encino CA:
Nicolosi surveyed 850 individuals and 200 therapists and counselors ? specifically seeking out individuals who claim to have made a degree of change in sexual orientation. Before counseling or therapy, 68% of respondents perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely homosexual, with another 22% stating they were more homosexual than heterosexual. After treatment only 13% perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entire homosexuality, while 33% described themselves as either exclusively or almost entirely heterosexual, 99% of respondents said they now believe treatment to change homosexuality can be effective and valuable.
Pattison, E.M., Pattison, M.L. (1980, December) ?Ex-Gays?: Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals. American Journal of Psychiatry. 137 (12): 1553-1562.
Authors evaluated 11 white men who claimed to have changed sexual orientation from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality. Corollary evidence suggests that the phenomenon of substantiated change in sexual orientation without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy may be much more common than previously thought.
Rekers, J. (1988) The formation of homosexual orientation. (In Fagan, P. Hope for Homosexuality. Washington DC: Free Congress Foundation.)
?With major research grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, I have experimentally demonstrated an affective treatment for ‘gender identity disorder of childhood’, which appears to hold potential for preventing homosexual orientation in males.?
Satinover, J., (1996) Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth. Grand Rapids MI: Baker.
These reports contradict claims that change is impossible. It would be more accurate to say that all the existing evidence suggests strongly that homosexuality is quite changeable.
?Each individual?s homosexuality is the likely result of a complex mixture of genetic, intrauterine, and extrauterine biological factors combined with familial and social factors as well as repeatedly reinforced choices.? (p. 245)
“A study conducted by a homosexual couple found that out of 156 same-sex couples ‘only seven had maintained sexual fidelity; of the hundred couples that had been together for more than five years, none had been able to maintain sexual fidelity. The authors noted that the expectation for outside sexual activity was the rule for male couples and the exception for heterosexuals.’”
Schwartz, M.F., Masters, W.H. (1984, February). The Masters and Johnson treatment program for dissatisfied homosexual men. American Journal of Psychiatry. 141 (2): 173-181.
?Certain individuals who want to change their homosexual preference can be helped by a short-term intensive intervention. The failure rate in helping dissatisfied homosexuals establish heterosexual lifestyles after the intensive phase of the intervention was 20.9%, and after 5 years? follow-up it was 28.4%.
Spitzer, Robert (May 2001) Psychiatry and Homosexuality, Wall St. Journal, A26.
“In the sample he studied, Spitzer concluded that many (homosexuals) made substantial changes (after gender affirmative therapy) in sexual arousal and fantasy–not merely behavior. Even subjects who made less substantial change believed it to be extremely beneficial.”
Throckmorton, W. (1996) Efforts to modify sexual orientation: A review of outcome literature and ethical issues. Journal of Mental Health and Counseling. 20, 4: 283-305.
?I submit that the case against conversion therapy requires opponents to demonstrate that no patients have benefited from such procedures or that any benefits are too costly in some objective way to be pursued even if they work. The available evidence supports the observation of many counselors ? that many individuals with same-gender sexual orientation have been able to change through a variety of counseling approaches.? (p. 287)
West, D. (1977) Homosexuality Re-examined. London Duckworth
Behavioral techniques have the best document success (never less than 30%); psychoanalysis claims a great deal of success (the average rate seemed to be about 5%, but 50% of the bisexuals achieved exclusive heterosexuality.)
Zucker, K., Bradley, S. (1995) Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Children and Adolescents. NY: Guilford. ??we feel that parental tolerance of cross-gender behavior at the time of its emergence is instrumental in allowing the behavior to develop?? (p. 259)
??In general we concur with those (e.g. Green 1972; Newman 1976; Stoller, 1978) who believe that the earlier treatment begins, the better.? (p. 281) ?It has been our experience that a sizable number of children and their families can achieve a great deal of change. In these cases, the gender identity disorder resolves fully, and nothing in the children?s behavior or fantasy suggests that gender identity issues remain problematic? All things considered, however, we take the position that in such cases clinicians should be optimistic, not nihilistic, about the possibility of helping the children to become more secure in their gender identity.? (p. 282)”

Please point out to me where it says that one must “pray” in order to achieve a cure for a same sex attraction. When you are done FAILING at that task I have another for you. Please point out to me where I have ever said that one must pray to change their same sex attraction.

0 for two nitwit!

Looks like you have once again demonstrated the fact that you cannot read a post and come up with its meaning. And we didn’t really need more proof that you’re an idiot did we?

Noooooooo.

Sort of makes you wish you never did drugs huh?

Once again harris, you should stop playing the message board idiot and pay attention…Oh that’s right you’re not playing…

Please take your time before you post back to me you very very stupid man!

Zeb,

It looks like your studies show that a some percentage of homosexuals can function as heterosexuals.

In particular, notice how they refer to bisexuals having a fairly high ability to choose a gender and be satisfied. Up to 50% in one study.

However, even assuming your studies are correct, the fact that some can happily function as heterosexuals is not the same as saying all can.

I’m not sure what your studies show except that the majority of people identified in those studies as homosexuals could NOT be coerced to function as heterosexuals.

Wouldn’t that kind of support the notion that people should be left to practise homosexuality if they desire to?

[quote]vroom wrote:
ZEB wrote:
Okay, as long as YOU realize that NOT proving any of my material wrong and simply criticizing it from left field makes your side look like they are not up to the fight.

I have a “side”? Can I, like, collect money from them or something? I didn’t know I had a so much of a following…[/quote]

You are debating the opposing view. Hence, “your side.”

I only ask for a return of specifics relative to my points.