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My opinion may be my disagreement with homosexuality.
The definition of marriage is not an opinion.
Indeed. The definition of civil marriage is defined by our system of government. The definition of religious marriage is defined individually by religious institutions.
Some jurisdictions define marriage differently than others. Some religions define marriage differently than others.
I can understand your point and agree with it somewhat, however you have to look at it from their side. States have taken different stances on civil unions and that in itself is a big fight. It may seem like a big power play (and for some, it probably is) however when you get right down to it, going for "marriage" is the only way to ensure they get the right to equality they feel they deserve.
Yes, different states look at it differently, but the problem with going after marriage is that their argument is weak logically and it displays the wrong focus.
If they fought strictly from a civil union stance, their position would be solid in the legal realms. This way, they are taking a risk out of emotional stance and it "could" result in a backlash that puts them dead in the water.
Indeed. The definition of civil marriage is defined by our system of government. The definition of religious marriage is defined individually by religious institutions.
Some jurisdictions define marriage differently than others. Some religions define marriage differently than others.
Nope, marriage is defined outside of legal realms (and outside of specific religious context). Legal realms recognize marriage. Legal realms can adjust between each other, they never change the definition of marriage, only the level they are willing to recognize of it.
Aww, well let's look at the definition of marriage, shall we? To do that, we should probably have some grasp of its origins... and to make you feel better, we'll ignore the fact that the top dictionaries in the world (including the Oxford dictionary, which is recognized as being the definitive record of the English language) acknowledge that "marriage" is a union which may exist between a man and a woman, OR between a man and a man OR between a woman and a woman. Because gosh, we'd hate like heck to acknowledge that the people who are recognized as being qualified to definitively define a word don't actually share YOUR definition.
Quote:
From the Oxford Dictionary: Middle English: from Old French mariage, from marier 'marry'
From the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary: Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry
Date: 14th century
From the Online Etymology Dictionary: c.1300, from O.Fr. mariage (12c.), from V.L. *maritaticum, from L. maritatus, pp. of maritatre "to wed, marry, give in marriage" (see marry).
Ok, so these all reference the word "marry" - so let's look at that:
Quote:
From the Oxford Dictionary: Middle English: from Old French marier, from Latin maritare, from maritus, literally 'married', (as a noun) 'husband'
From the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary: Etymology: Middle English marien, from Anglo-French marier, from Latin maritare, from maritus married
Date: 14th century
From the Online Etymology Dictionary:
c.1300, from O.Fr. marier, from L. maritare "to wed, marry, give in marriage," from maritus "married man, husband," of uncertain origin, perhaps ult. from "provided with a *mari," a young woman, from PIE base *meri- "young wife," akin to *meryo- "young man" (cf. Skt. marya- "young man, suitor"). Said from 1530 of the priest, etc., who performs the rite. Related: Married; marrying.
We kind of run into a bit of a circular dead end at that point. So we'll look at "wed," since it comes up a lot within the definitions themselves.
Quote:
From the Oxford Dictionary:
Old English weddian, from the Germanic base of Scots wed 'a pledge'; related to Latin vas 'surety', also to gage
From the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary:
Etymology: Middle English wedden, from Old English weddian; akin to Middle High German wetten to pledge, Old English wedd pledge, Old High German wetti, Gothic wadi, Latin vad-, vas bail, security
Date: before 12th century
From the Online Etymology Dictionary:
O.E. weddian "to pledge, covenant to do something, marry," from P.Gmc. *wadjojanan (cf. O.N. veĂ°ja "to bet, wager," O.Fris. weddia "to promise," Goth. ga-wadjon "to betroth"), from PIE base *wadh- "to pledge, to redeem a pledge" (cf. L. vas, gen. vadis "bail, security," Lith. vaduoti "to redeem a pledge"). Sense remained "pledge" in other Gmc. languages (cf. Ger. Wette "bet, wager"); development to "marry" is unique to Eng.
Huh... yeah... you know, I'm seeing a lot of indication that these words (marry, married, marriage, wed) all seem to relate to making some sort of pledge or promise to another person, but gosh darn if I can find anywhere that specifies that the other person has to be of the opposite gender.
I respect everyone's religious beliefs regarding matrimony.
If the God in your church has an issue with homosexuals, then please don't marry them in your church. If you disagree with your church join another one.
I think people should have the ability to gain legal married status with a person that they want to spend their life with. And I also think that if they change their minds about it - they should go through the same painful legal divorce that heterosexuals couples do!
the point is why should a married (hetro, or same sex) person or couple (usually only 2) get a MONETARY BENEFIT that two single persons living and loving together cant
why should the government give any breaks or benefits to a certain group????
this is not just about marriage...it is the GOVERNMENT UNFAIRLY giving breaks and perks and benefits to certain groups and not to all..... ACLEAR VIOLATION OF THE 14TH
The govt used to penalize married people on their taxes - that has changed. However, the breaks and perks usually come from your place of employment and not the government. And you have to pay extra to cover your family.
........and while I'm here....whoever said we have to like how people look? If you have E V E R experienced oppression you know how it feels to have someones boot on your neck. When freedom rings and the oppressor is removed.......... it is delirious like the sun breaking out. Don't be so hasty to judge those who appear on the national news.........those who have suffered lived with fear of murder and worse.........
If you have never been oppressed, do us all a favor and think about your posts.
Last edited by AADAD; 08-06-2010 at 08:19 PM..
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