Then why not polygamy - which arguably is a helluva lot more natural than homosexuality? Why have age restrictions? Why not allow bestiality?

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

MARRIAGE 

DEFINITION

The legal union of a couple as spouses. The basic elements of a marriage are: (1) the parties' legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as required by law.

See also Common-law marriage.

OVERVIEW

In the English common law tradition from which our legal doctrines and concepts have developed, a marriage was a contract based upon a voluntary private agreement by a man and a woman to become husband and wife. Marriage was viewed as the basis of the family unit and vital to the preservation of morals and civilization. Traditionally, the husband had a duty to provide a safe house, pay for necessities such as food and clothing, and live in the house. The wife's obligations were maintaining a home, living in the home, having sexual relations with her husband, and rearing the couple's children. Today, the underlying concept that marriage is a legal contract still remains, but due to changes in society the legal obligations are not the same.

Marriage is chiefly regulated by the states. The Supreme Court has held that states are permitted to reasonably regulate the institution by prescribing who is allowed to marry and how the marriage can be dissolved. Entering into a marriage changes the legal status of both parties and gives both husband and wife new rights and obligations. One power that the states do not have, however, is that of prohibiting marriage in the absence of a valid reason. For example, prohibiting interracial marriage is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

The majority of states limit people to one living husband or wife at a time and will not issue marriage licenses to anyone with a living spouse. Once an individual is married, the person must be legally released from the relationship by either death, divorce, or annulment before he or she may remarry. Other limitations on individuals include age and close relationship. Limitations that some but not all states prescribe are: the requirements of blood tests, good mental capacity, and being of opposite sex.

Simply put.. this is about equal rights. Marriage is defined in the society between two consenting adults as a legal union. In my opinion, regardless of my personal beliefs on the topic, that if two same sex individuals wish to form a legal union, they should be able to so.

Let the afterlife judge..

The root of the argument for me, is that we shouldn't restrict a citizen of a right afforded to others based on the race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, etc. Simple as that.

Now if you want to argue the legality of polygamy.. that is a different topic all together. The biggest concern I would personally have would revolve around issues that would arise if the relationships would falter in terms of property, children, etc. Enough issues in a pair of individuals moving through a divorce.

In terms of legalizing it.. I think that should be separate of any religious persuasion or underlying pressures. Getting the government to hear the topic and make a ruling.. hell can they currently do anything with any sense of efficiency and agreement? Probably not.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I don't even know what that last line means.

So you're a big liberal who wants to allow whatever as long as they're consenting, blah blah blah?

Then why not polygamy - which arguably is a helluva lot more natural than homosexuality? Why have age restrictions? Why not allow bestiality?

HYPOCRITES like to promote their particular variety of perversion ahead of all others. If there is any validity to your arguments in favor of it at all, where do you get off picking and choosing one perversion over others?

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

Polygamy is cool - if everyone agrees then why the f*ck not? When did I say Polygamy was "wrong"?

Beastiality - In an alternate reality, if animals could talk and give consent to marriage, then why the f*ck not?

Age restrictions - Emotional/Physical maturity - it isn't rocket science - there needs to a blanket age restriction.

I am not a "big liberal" - I just suffer from a case of don'tgiveaf*ckitis - i.e. why should I give a f*ck what two or more people do, if they are happy doing it?

Dey turk yer jerb.

Originally Posted by: VinceLambeauStarr 

Texas, you're exactly like John McCain, wrong on everything. Moral fiber in America - good one,

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

Texas, you're exactly like John McCain, wrong on everything. Moral fiber in America - good one, maybe you should look up the words greed and gluttony and write us a thesis on how they apply to all those good normal Americans you're always bragging about.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

John McCain .. the man has seriously real moral fiber to the core of his being.....

Originally Posted by: Wade