The tide of marriage for same-sex couples has ebbed and flowed over the last decade with no end in sight. Because marriage sits squarely at the intersection of religion, law and society, the discussion around same-sex couples’ inclusion into the institution of marriage has been one of the most complex and hotly contested topics in America.
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Should Marriage for Same Sex Couples be Legal?
Definition of marriage
The definition of marriage is a union and committment between a MAN and a WOMAN. PERIOD. You don't change definitions because a small vocal minority wants it. I certainly understand same sex people being in love and wanting to spend their remaining days together. So for insurance and other reasons I would be inclined to agree with some type of civil unions. But marriage.....NO
- irishguy730
July 25, 2008 7:56PM
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Reply to irishguy730
The definition of the term "marriage" is such because we have arbitrarily defined it that way as an expression of views we have inherited. There doesn't seem to be a justification for this definition in your comment. On your line of reasoning, inter-racial marrying, which was of course legally barred for decades, would automatically be justified. We must challenge these assumptions to see if they hold water today.
Considered more systematically however, if you were to go to church and marry without seeking the approval and consent of the state, your marriage wouldn't be legally valid. The inverse, however, isn't true: If you are given a contract by the state to marry without seeking the consent of a religious affiliation your marriage is still valid. My point is that marriage, at its foundation, is granted importance by the state. Therefore, religion aside, why shouldn't consenting adults be allowed to marry whom they choose?
- Alex M
August 26, 2008 3:04PM
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Side: Yes
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Definition of marriage
The definition of marriage used to be a union and a commitment between a WHITE MAN and a WHITE WOMAN. It was changed because a vocal minority wanted it. Does that mean it was wrong?
- DrobUA
December 22, 2008 10:33PM
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Defintion of Marry
I agree the definiton of marriage is between a man and woman but, the word marry means- To join as spouses by exchanging vows, to take as a spouse, to obtain by marriage. My opinion is marriage is to take a spouse, doesnt matter if its same sex or different sex. I can tell you from personal expierence that same sex marriage is important for same sex partners but more importantly its important to their children . Maybe more so to kids .
- gtucker09
May 27, 2009 8:45PM
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Definitions do change...but
No one is redefining the definition of marriage. Marriage means quite literally the joining of entities - be it buisnesses, ideas, people, elements...etc.
But for the sake of things changing... here are some words that have changed:
Commit: to come together - but now it also means a number of other things.
Luxury: originally meant ‘lasciviousness’ or ‘lust
Cookie: both means food and now has tech meaning as well
Mouse: animal and tech
Scroll: ancient piece of paper... and how one moves down the screen
Undertaker: old meaning entrepreneur, now entrepreneur means small business owner
Inspire: to breath life into - now also means to elicit, to move to action etc.
Nice: use to mean 'not to know', but now it means something well... nice. :) good.
Bundle of sticks - in the old english - now is a derogatory word
Gay: meant happy or merry - so quite litterally when when everyone was happy - it meant everyone was gay. Obviously the meaning has changed.
But in the case of marriage - it is not changing, at least not in the true sense of change as noted above. It still means to come together, to bind, to join, to create a union... etc.
All citizens should have the right to choose their life partner, marry them, and enjoy the benefits of doing so.
- virescentgirl
June 25, 2009 1:46PM
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