I believe in gay marriage

[BoristheBiter]

Even if that is true (and it may well be) and assuming that it is, the question is whether or not that is relevant now to the 21st Century Schizoid Man. What "marriage" means is a moving target even from the middle ages to today: the whole "wife is chattel" thing: and in other societies it means different things (most notably in societies blighted by religion: Muslims, Hindus, arranged marriages, burkas and whatnot). So the question is thus not "has the concept of marriage evolved: because it self evidently has. The question is "should it evolve further"? And my answer to that question is unequivocal: Yes.

I would say no it hasn't run it's course due to the massive debate about gay marriage and the fact that same sex couples want to get married.
Yes it evolves but at the core it is still a religious ceremony with a legal definition.

If I was in a same sex relationship I would be pushing for TPTB to change the CU so I would have something that was mine and all the haters could have their marriage after all it's only a really expensive dinner where your family and friend try to eat and drink as much as possible and you get stuck with the check.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If I was in a same sex relationship I would be pushing for TPTB to change the CU so I would have something that was mine and all the haters could have their marriage after all it's only a really expensive dinner where your family and friend try to eat and drink as much as possible and you get stuck with the check.

Shirley you're doing it wrong? Dont the brides parents pay for the wedding and the grooms parents pay for the grog? I thought that was how it worked?

[BoristheBiter]

Shirley you're doing it wrong? Dont the brides parents pay for the wedding and the grooms parents pay for the grog? I thought that was how it worked?

Like you said, it evolves.

But you have touched on a point there, how would that work with same sex?
two guys, no food but a massive piss up, two girls heaps of food but no booze, you would have to have a double wedding.

[Madness]

Is it not optional to have religion involved in a wedding ceremony currently?

[Winston001]

How much tinkering would it take to make Civil Union legally equal to current marriage, in the eyes of the law? Could that be a solution?

You nailed it John. As far as I know the only difference is that a civil union couple cannot jointly adopt a child. So lets allow that.

What "marriage" means is a moving target even from the middle ages to today...

So the question is not "has the concept of marriage evolved?" because it self evidently has. The question is "should it evolve further"?

Well said. No argument.

I guess what bothers me (in my devils advocate chair) is there is no public discussion on the fundamental issues. What is marriage exactly, what does it mean in the modern age? If its become meaningless then why would gay people want to embrace such an outdated concept anyway? Many straight people already reject the idea of marriage.

But if we are going to turn the core concept of heterosexual marriage on its head (because we are liberal and inclusive), aren't we destroying the institution itself? Being married become a valueless anachronism.

[Edbear]

I guess what bothers me (in my devils advocate chair) is there is no public discussion on the fundamental issues. What is marriage exactly, what does it mean in the modern age? If its become meaningless then why would gay people want to embrace such an outdated concept? Many straight people reject the idea of marriage.

You raise an interesting point. When increasingly couples are simply moving in together and foregoing formal marriage, why is it such an issue? Could it be that homosexuals are trying to legitimise their relationships? The comments throughout this thread on what marriage is or is not make you wonder why anyone would want to get married.

The fact is though, that still the majority of people believe that formal marriage is different and weddings are still a big part of modern society with all that they symbolise.

Having been married for 35 years this Oct. my wife and I are firm supporters of formal marriage and believe we have the best life can offer. Others who have bad experiences that have lead to marriages that are a battle ground or ended in messy divorce may feel differently.

Relationships are not always easy regardless with whom they are and require work and compromise and communication skills.

While a "piece of paper" does not a marriage make, I can vouch for the fact that getting married is a special and unique act that does make a difference.

The OP hardly comes across as anything other than dead straight. Interesting how the thread has gone on so long about homosexuality.

[oldrider]

As far as I know the only difference is that a civil union couple cannot jointly adopt a child.

HenryDorsetCase? ... Is that a correct statement in your understanding/interpretation/experience between Civil Union and marriage?

And is this also the case for heterosexual couples that opt for Civil Union? Genuine question here!

[Edbear]

HenryDorsetCase? ... Is that a correct statement in your understanding/interpretation/experience between Civil Union and marriage?

And is this also the case for heterosexual couples that opt for Civil Union? Genuine question here!

That's an interesting question. But why would a hetero couple go for a civil union instead anyway?

[tigertim20]

Is it not optional to have religion involved in a wedding ceremony currently?

haha of course its optional. my wedding wasnt religious in the least, it was about us expressing, and self defining our relationship. exactly why I support gay marriage. Everyone should be able to self define their relationship, it should never be 'you can self define your relationship, however you want but you cant use the word marriage because you are gay' - it just seems ridiculous.

[avgas]

Is it not optional to have religion involved in a wedding ceremony currently?

Yep.
Ours was simply a registration. In the eyes of the law that is still marriage.


But I still like the idea of calling it "Pre-Divorce". Then the gays can have it if they want it.

[Madness]

Interesting how the thread has gone on so long about homosexuality.

Those in the homophobe camp have made this thread about homosexuality when in reality this debate is all about equality.

[avgas]

That's an interesting question. But why would a hetero couple go for a civil union instead anyway?

Name a civil hetero couple.

[avgas]

If its become meaningless then why would gay people want to embrace such an outdated concept anyway?

I wan't....

- Side valves on a motorbike
- A 650 bonnie
- A bultaco

None of these things are smart things to ride/own. But since I have never had them I want them.

Gays have never had Marriage - for some reason they want it. Why save them from it?

[Berries]

Interesting how the thread has gone on so long about homosexuality.

Could there be a clue in the thread title perchance?

Name a civil hetero couple.

I haven't punched my wife in the mouth for nearly a month. How civil do you want?

And that's a female wife by the way.

[oldrider]

Name a civil hetero couple.

Well, I can't but I remember that there have been examples of couples presented as Heterosexual's that had opted for Civil Unions rather than getting married.

Maybe it was all just part of a "rentamob" sales pitch by homo TV or something just after the law was changed by the Labour government.

It's a pity there is so much misleading emotional shit that seems to accompany these issues which makes sorting the wood from the trees difficult!

There have been some enlightening comments posted amongst the crap on this thread!

Some quite thought provoking even, well I have questioned my own bigotry (perhaps) attitudes anyway! Interesting to say the least.