“1. It Is Not Marriage
Calling something marriage does not make it marriage.”
Actually, it does. If the hospital only allows ICU visitors that are ‘married spouses’ then they have to let in anyone the state recognizes as ‘married.’
"Two entirely different things cannot be considered the same thing.”
Then someone at every hospital, bank, business, state or federal agency with a ‘spouses’ policy (for access, insurance, information, whatever) needs to rewrite their policies to distinguish Marriages from Samesex marriages AND be prepared to defend that bigotry in court.
“2. It Violates Natural Law”
So does my daily dose of insulin, made by putting human DNA into single-celled creatures so they sweat out the insulin. Not a deal-breaker.
“3. It Always Denies a Child Either a Father or a Mother”
So does any father or mother that abandons their kids. How many orphans do you foster, so they’re not denied both parents?
“4. It Validates and Promotes the Homosexual Lifestyle”
Okay. And is there a secular reason NOT to validate the choices of two consenting adults?
“5. It Turns a Moral Wrong into a Civil Right”
I cannot imagine any way to legislate your moral code that would pass the Lemon Law test.
“6. It Does Not Create a Family but a Naturally Sterile Union”
So, you would also deny infertile people the chance to marry?
“7. It Defeats the State’s Purpose of Benefiting Marriage”
I don’t think that your fantasy actually describes the state choice to allow marriages. You’re just making shit up.
“8. It Imposes Its Acceptance on All Society”
Not quite. I mean, it’s a fact, and you have to deal with it, but racists also have to deal with interracial marriage, Catholics have to deal with divorce, Baptists have to deal with Mormons, Mormons have to deal with other people drinking Coffee, Shakers have to deal with other people having sex, and so on.
So, deal.
“9. It Is the Cutting Edge of the Sexual Revolution”
The cutting edge of the sexual revolution was women gaining the right to say ‘no.’ It revolutionized a LOT of relationships (and made Porn exciting again.) You’re late to the party.
“10. It Offends God”
And again, the Lemon Law Test shows that this is absolutely not a valid objection to marriage equality.