Alright, I just have to get this off my chest:
If you make a claim, it is your responsibility to back it up.
That means that if you claim that same-sex marriage will have an effect on opposite-sex marriages, it is your responsibility to back it up.
Likewise, if you claim that someone who is accepted as an authority on a subject is wrong, it is your responsibility to provide evidence that they are. The accepted authority should have already provided their evidence of their claims, otherwise there is no reason for them to be accepted as an authority.
Seriously, Ive been debating someone on usenet (yeah, I know) on the subject of the Treaty of Tripoli. Here’s roughly how it’s gone:
Me: [Provides article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli]
Him: But that’s not in the original Arabic version!
Me: It doesn’t matter. The English translation, including article 11, was ratified by Congress, the Senate, and The President, who also happened to be a founding father. Here are some sources…
Him: But… It’s not a binding treaty! It’s a non-binding unilateral motion! I order you to show me the original Arabic version! Fag!
Since I’m apparently quite the masochist, I responded.
Me: [Provides an authoritative source stating that the English translation- which includes article 11- was, indeed, a binding treaty in the US]
[Points out that the original Arabic version wasn't the one ratified by the US gov't, and that they apparently had no issue ratifying the document containing article 11.]
Him: You’re wrong! The US gov’t ratifying the document containing article 11 is irrelevant! I order you to provide the original Arabic version! Fag!
Me: *headdesk*
Seriously, you want to argue that an authoritative source is wrong? Be my guest. But please, for the love of all that is good in this world, remember that “because I said so” is not evidence.
