Quote: The issue is the redefinition of the traditional term "marriage":
And perhaps more importantly, the issue is also by whom. I'm not convinced it has to be just those who belong to organized religions who get to do the redefining.
Quote: Main Entry: mar�·riage Pronunciation: 'mer-ij, 'ma-rij Function: noun Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry 1 a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.
Interesting selection ... references a contract under law; says nothing about religion. The fact is that for centuries marriage has also been a non-religious institution; whether performed by a ship's captain, the town's mayor (or city hall clerk) the sheriff (insert title of governmental representative here) - not to mention the many marriages performed by some poor chaplain with a shotgun pointed in his general direction.
Quote: Once this term is redefined, it will open the door for all other types of marriage other than non-tradional(polygamist, etc.).
Non sequiter ... there are no legal polygamists in Utah today; legalizing gay unions in Utah won't change that.
Quote: The argument from the gay activists side is that if you use the term "civil unions", that we are going back to the 1950's with the use of "separate but equal."
That's a powerful argument ... one that has a couple of recent and (still) sensitive precedents.
Quote: I child will always do better(IMHO)with ANY type of stable parents rather than remaining in the foster care system. It's a double edged sword. Just my .02
Absolutely. I wish the religious activists bent on stopping gay marriage would spend as much energy towards rooting the pedophiles out of their churches, and towards making the family environment a stable, safe and nurturing place for kids.
