3 replies to this topic

[Darkademic]

With all the debate in America surrounding gay marriage and it's "validity", I thought I'd make a thread about it. Marriage, is it important for society to function? Is it just a bit of legal bunk?

I personally believe it isn't particularly important, it's just a matter of choice. Being of no religion I completely ignore the religious side of marriage. All that is left then, is a piece of paper signifying a legal relationship. With divorce rates very high, it does seem that marriage isn't a neverending bond as it once was seen to be. I don't see how it would bring two people closer together, as a relationship should be about two people who value each other immensely - I.e. about love.

As for gay marriage, I strongly disagree that the government has any right to define what constitutes a marriage and what doesn't. Gay marriage should be an option to anyone who wishes it, it's their right.

[Twilight]

Marriage is a contractual agreement no different to any other, but the legal system related to it is more a restriction than anything else. A couple that simply lives together can choose to make any arrangements that they want, whether they be gay or straight. A non-married relationship allows you to divide up one's worldly belongings however you want, 50-50, 90-10, anything. The union can be temporary or permanent and can be subjected to cancellation at any time.

Marriage is a restriction due to the laws which are attatched to it. If my wife buys an automobile with her own money, under Pennsylvania marriage laws I automatically own half of it, whether or not my name is on the title. Whether that law is good, bad, or indifferent, it is a limitation of our freedom to arrange such things as we ourselves might choose. This is just one of many decisions that marriage laws take out of our hands.

[Mastermind]

Imagine your best platonic friend coming up to you one day and asking suddenly "promise me you'll still be friends with me tomorrow". Is that something an honest person can do? NO. An honest person knows that their friends define themselves by actions, thus the friendship could be ended by certian actions. Yet the first thing you do in any relationship with a title is make that promise. The first thing you do is satiate your insecurity of what could and possibly will happen. It's nothing more than comforting words of no value meant to ensnare someone into a relationship they don't want to be in by using the the original commitment to keep them after they're grown disinterested (how many married couples can you say still act like newlyweds?).

[Arbiter]

I don't see a problem with marriage. It's not crucial, and two people can still live "happily ever after" without getting married, but if you really love someone and know you want to be with them for the rest of your life then I see no reason to not get married.

As for gay marriage, I strongly disagree that the government has any right to define what constitutes a marriage and what doesn't. Gay marriage should be an option to anyone who wishes it, it's their right.

Very much agreed.