Mack Lottinville (For): Senior
What is your opinion on same-sex marriage and why?
I am completely for same-sex marriage, I don’t see any reason why someone shouldn’t be able to marry someone who they choose to marry, and I don’t know why it’s such a big deal in the first place. I’m hoping that eventually people will be able to have same-sex marriage, which would be awesome because I have lots of bisexual and gay friends.
What do you think about same-sex marriage being illegal?
I just don’t see why they can’t be bound the same way as everyone else, …I honestly don’t think it’s any of the government’s business. I would find it upsetting if I couldn’t marry someone I loved because of some stupid law.
What do you think about the people who believe the opposite of your opinion?
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. What I can’t stand is the people who think that someone who doesn’t agree with you means that they don’t like you. People have to accept instead of tolerate. If they respect my opinion, I’ll respect theirs.
Do you have anyone in your family/a friend that has the opposite opinion of yours?
My grandfather is against same-sex marriage and I still completely respect and understand that. He does not act out against it. If he opened himself up to some of the people I know, they would attack him and I find that unfair. People need to accept the fact that there are people who don’t completely agree with [their opinions].
What do you think about groups/organizations who support the opposite of your opinion?
When it comes to people like Westboro, I find that absolutely atrocious and ridiculous.
Andrew Markley (Against): Freshman
What is your opinion on same-sex marriage and why?
I’m very strong about my beliefs, and as a Christian, you know, in the Bible it says that it’s wrong.
What do you think about people who have the opposite opinion of yours?
People argue about if there’s a loving God, like, “Why would he not accept [homosexuals]?” But it’s like, people don’t understand where the sin takes place.
Do you know anyone who is homosexual?
I know some homosexual people who are just really nice people compared to everyone else.
If one of your family members/friends was a homosexual, what would you do?
I mean, it would obviously have some sort of effect, it would make things a little different, like there’s gonna be that little change. But I mean it’s not like I’m never going to talk to them. You know, I’ll help them through it. My family is mostly Christian and I have friends who aren’t Christian and friends who are homosexual and if they needed help…I’d try to help them through it. The best way to help them is be loving, and don’t put a label on them or something like that.
![After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”](https://www.fsfreepressonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Roust_Erpelding_5_11_23-600x900.jpg)
Jacob Parnell • Sep 2, 2014 at 5:46 pm
I like this Andrew guy.
Andrew Markley • Sep 16, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Good point Stewart, though what your saying makes no sense in accordance with Christianity. See, man kind, being of sinful nature, obviously sin against God by rebelling against God and creating their own standards of morality and what they believe is acceptable. When you say “I find it insane that in THIS DAY AND AGE the major argument against gay marriage is that ‘IT SAYS THAT IT IS WRONG IN THE BIBLE’, two things stick out. “This day and age” is sinful and evil in the eyes of God because man has created “this day and age” and the culture we live in. Here’s a question: Does the MAN MADE culture overrule GOD’S perfect law? Answer: No, it does not, because God’s law is perfect, as I said before, and man’s law is sinful. The second thing that sticks out is when you quoted me when I said “it says it is wrong in the bible.’ You say that as if the Bible has no power and doesn’t matter. However, scripture is God breathed (from the mouth of God) as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”). So if the creator of the entire universe and the creator of your very soul and body, the one who breathed life into you (Genesis 2:7 “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIFE, and the man became a living being.”) has a law that he has spoken and is written in the Bible, which is God-breathed, then obviously what the Bible says matters immensely in the controversy of gay rights. In fact, it isn’t doesn’t just matter, but it is pure truth and is the LAW of the God of this nation. If you want to say that God isn’t the God of this nation, then please take a look a dollar bill. Thanks Stewart for commenting and opposing my opinion, cause it really does help me be secure in my beliefs and my faith. God bless!
Stewart Merz • Apr 29, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Has anyone informed Mr. Markley that the United States of America is a secular nation, meaning that our government doesn’t correlate with any church? While I feel that he is entitled to his opinion, I find it insane that in this day and age the major argument against gay marriage is that “it says that it is wrong in the bible.” So what?
The United States government should never base any decisions based off of their religious preferences. That is the bottom line. By denying homosexuals their right to wed, we are denying them civil rights.