
Nothing has changed over the years, excapt that many religiously inspired restritions have been lifted.
The prohibition of alcohol was abolished, gayness was legalised, nudity and swearing became acceptable. Over hundreds of years, the trend has been for less religion in government, not more.
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Sun 27 Feb 2005, 6:22,
archived)
The prohibition of alcohol was abolished, gayness was legalised, nudity and swearing became acceptable. Over hundreds of years, the trend has been for less religion in government, not more.

prohibition of alcahol was abolished... but that's really standard now except in muslim countries.
Swearing... it's the same really, only there's even fewer countries.
but the rest:
- going nude in the street will get you arrested for "disturbing the peace" or something
- brand new laws against gay marrage (this is the big one... doesn't seem very justified)
See, the church marries people. As such gay people could get themselves married at any church (regardless of religion) that would agree to marry them, and that would stick. So it's a freedom of religion thing... but why is the state stepping in to make laws to prevent all churches from this regardless of their own rules?
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Sun 27 Feb 2005, 6:30,
archived)
Swearing... it's the same really, only there's even fewer countries.
but the rest:
- going nude in the street will get you arrested for "disturbing the peace" or something
- brand new laws against gay marrage (this is the big one... doesn't seem very justified)
See, the church marries people. As such gay people could get themselves married at any church (regardless of religion) that would agree to marry them, and that would stick. So it's a freedom of religion thing... but why is the state stepping in to make laws to prevent all churches from this regardless of their own rules?

but there are laws that will prevent such a "marriage" being recognised as official by the State. This doesn't change anything, as it merely keeps the status quo.
That's what the overwhelming majority of voters wanted (70% on the referendums).
So really, the problem is that democracy overruled the gay lobby. That's the problem with democracy, you can't always get what you want.
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Sun 27 Feb 2005, 6:36,
archived)
That's what the overwhelming majority of voters wanted (70% on the referendums).
So really, the problem is that democracy overruled the gay lobby. That's the problem with democracy, you can't always get what you want.

as for referendums, they're not good for this sort of thing. Gay people demanding marriage are quite the minority, and by that nature are underrepresented. Most people who voted aren't actaully going to be affected by this.
i always suspected the quo were involved
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Sun 27 Feb 2005, 6:50,
archived)
i always suspected the quo were involved