Defining marriage

How do you define marriage?

I believe marriage is an institution that has existed for thousands of years as a life long covenant between one man and one woman, established to promote societal stability and a healthy environment to raise children. Sadly, not all marriages produce healthy environments for child rearing, however I don't believe we should redefine marriage, rather we should work to strengthen traditional marriages and families.

Gay marriage is a civil right. No matter how you put it, if you try and say gays can have all the same benefits as marriage but we'll call it something else, a "civil union", lets not forget that this country has been through this before. Separate is seldom, if ever, equal.There are over 1,130 federal rights that heterosexual couples receive that gays cannot. That is just plan unfair. And please, before you give me some Christian fundamental explanation of why the Bible denounces homosexuality, if we were all going to follow the scripture with literal accuracy then: according to Leviticus, slavery should be allowed, people who commit adultery or who get tattoos should be punished, and children who disobey their parents should be put to death.

Since marriage is inextricably tied to both local and federal laws, it's not about what a person believes. Instad, it's about fundamental human rights.

I define marriage as a union between two people who seek love and happiness by sharing their lives with one another, and being responsible for one another. The idea of same gender sex is repulsive to opponents of gays, but a relationship may not even be based on having sex. How many heterosexual unions, or marriages, are there where sex is never practiced? No one knows, but many are marriages of convenience and the two may not even sleep in the same bed or touch one another. Same gender couples, likewise may be in love with one another for deep and personal reasons, yet may not have sex as the sole object of their relationship. Opponents of same sex marriage oppose it because it is something that they would not do.

It depends.

Are we examining it from a religious point of view, a personal point of view, or a legal/political point of view?

I am in support of allowing ANY couple who wishes to commit to a permanent relationship the right to a legally recognized union, which includes various 'marriage privileges'.

At the same time, I do support a church's right (whether I agree or disagree) to refuse to grant or perform a marriage due to their doctrine of belief system. Religion is a choice; you join a religion or become part of a religious group because your beliefs align with the beliefs of the church.

Yes, anyone should be able to get married (gay, straight, otherwise). It should be a legal recognition of a committed, lifelong relationship. No, not everyone should be entitled to a 'religious marriage'.

If the idea is to stabilize society, Jim, then you would be for gay marriage as the more loving couples in recognized, long term monogamous relationships, the more stable society. If you think children should have a healthy environment, then certainly a stable, legally and socially recognized relationship is healthier than one that is stressed and threatened because it is not recognized.

Then again, you could just be using "healthy" as a code word to cover bias and bigotry.

Clarify, please.

Marriage should be and is, a union between two committed, concenting adults. My partner and I of eleven years (and thousands of other couples) were married months ago in San Diego and yet the world has not come to and end. We pay taxes so everyone's kids can go to school, our government officials get paid and so on... yet if one of us gets in a car accident or has to make a legal decision for one another, we have to jump through countless legal BS to do what most married couples take for granted...... if you hetro couples want to strenghten marriage, focus on making divorce a felony.

A few years ago, there was a woman who married herself....

Ooops. I must be in the wrong place. I was looking for the Chicago Tribune not the Gay Tribune. Two lead stories on gay issues today and at least one almost every day. I can't seem to find the gushing and cloying articles and sweet photos about those who are morally opposed to gay marriage.

News or propaganda?

Gee, I don't know why the Trib is hemorrhaging readers and probably won't last out the year.

Marriage is nothing more that a legal contract

It's about 2 people who love each other. Period. It's sad that in 2009 it should even be a debate whether or not to grant someone basic human rights. Especially in America where there is (supposed to be) separation of church and state.
As far as the "healthy family" argument - my (heterosexual) parents had a relationship full of infidelity. Does that create a more stable home than 2 homosexual parents that are faithful to one another and love their child?
Here's my question for anyone who opposes gay marriage - how does it effect you personally? More than possibly conflicting with your personal religious beliefs - I mean how does someone else's choice on whom to spend their life with personally affect you?

The legacy of marriage is as old as history itself. It has always been recognized as a function between a male and female, breeders, and not others.

My opinion is not germane since my current ideas do not change the fundamental definition that has lasted for 10,000 years or so, in all civilizations.

It is only in the last few decades that persons with desires to change that traditional definition have begun a campaign.

Marriage is a religious institution with spiritual significance for some people -- and based on the intent of separation of church and state, the government should have nothing to do with it. All the legal rights that come with marriage should be transferred to civil unions and marriage should be removed from the law and left to the church. People who want those rights, straight or gay, would then get a civil union. People who want God to recognize their union, would then go to the church. The law and religion should not be confused like they currently are.

I am not being funny, I seriously want to know what happens if we change the definition of marriage.

Therefore, I have some questions:

Can a 50 year old man marry a 12 year old girl as long as they love each other?

Can a human marry a non-human and get a tax deduction for the spouse?

Can two kids, say age 12 get married?

Since it would not be one man and one woman, can one man marry three women?

I could go on, but I think you see what I am trying to saying. What are the negative possibilities of redefining marriage?

Looking forward to some factual answers, not guesses.

Why does the government regulate a religious institution? The government doesn't tell us who can or can't be baptized, bar/bat mitzvahed, or confirmed- why are they telling us who can or can't get married? I am a strong Christian, but I believe the government should get out of this. I think the government should regulate civil unions that are only between two consenting adults, and give it all the legal rights that marriage now has. Let religions decide what they want to call marriage.

marraige is between a man and a women not two people of the same sex. that is wrong God Created man and women for marriage not two men or two women.

The government should get out of the marriage business. Government should provide civil unions, i.e. legal contracts. They should be available to gay and straight couples. Churches should provide marriage ceremonies to whomever they wish. The two should not be dependent on one another in any way.

[QUOTE who="More than possibly conflicting with your personal religious beliefs - I mean how does someone else's choice on whom to spend their life with personally affect you?
[/QUOTE]

Your argument sounds good, but what if I used it to defend my right to marry two 12 year old girls. How would my choice affect you?

I am ashamed to see Oak Park represented this way. I think humans have two sexes (like majority of animals)for procreation, when did God invent marriage? During one of the 7 days that God created the universe? It must of been when God married that Stegasaurus and T-Rex, oh wait, they are differnt types of dino's, can they still marry each other? We better ask God and see what he says...