Really people? Really?
*Sigh* This one will take a few steps to explain.
Step One: A brief history of marriage.
The "institution of marriage" is one of those things that no one is really sure exactly where it started - because it has pretty much always existed, in every place and every time, in various forms. But here are a few examples from around the globe:
- In Ancient Greece, 'marriage' was a private agreement between a man around the age of 30, fresh from his compulsory military service, and a young virginal girl in her early teens. A ceremony was not required. If a girl's father died without leaving a male heir behind, she would often be forced to marry her closest male relative in order to keep the family fortune intact - even if she was already married to someone else.
- Early Christian marriages did not involve ceremonies either, until it was decreed in 110CE that "It becomes both men and women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust." And so the Christian rite of a wedding was created.
- In ancient Chinese society, it was forbidden to marry anyone with the same last name as you (too bad if your last name was Smith!) as this was viewed as incest. On the other hand, it was perfectly ok to marry a member of your mother's family, no matter how closely related you may be.
- Several sources suggest that some marriages were between same sex couples, specifically in ancient Greece, Rome, and China, as well as among members of various Native American tribes.
- For members of the Akan people in Africa, it is expected that a woman will marry her father's sister's son, just as a man will marry his mother's brother's daughter.
- Most early religions allowed the practice of polygyny (where a man has multiple wives), including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. The practice of polyandry (where a woman has more than one husband), though rarer, can also be found throughout history. However, while polygyny sees several woman as belonging to one man, polyandry is not the mirror opposite - rather, it is more commonly found in situations where there are not enough women to go around, and thus several men own and share one woman between them.
- Miscegenation laws - which made it illegal for people of different races to marry each other - existed in America for the 17th century until 1967.
So, in summary, what have we discovered? Marriage, in one form or another, has existed on every continent, in every country, in every culture, and across time. It has not been defined as only between a man and a woman; it can be between same sex couples and even between more than two people. It can be defined by ceremony or just cohabitation. It doesn't seem to have much to do with love - or even like - at all. It can be a business transaction, or the exchange of a woman as property. IT CAN CHANGE.
Moving along now.
Step Two: Etymology
Since it seems to be so important that all fags and dykes be banned from using the term "marriage", perhaps there is something special or magical about the word itself? Let us examine.
The word marriage was first used in the 1300s. The word was developed from the Old French word 'mariage', which evolved from the Latin 'maritatus', which developed from the even older Latin 'maritatre'. Maritatre's origins are unknown, although it is suspected that it evolved from the term 'mari', or young woman, and therefore means 'to be provided with a young woman'.
So we're back there again. Marriage is all about being presented with your very own young girl to control for the rest of your life! Hmm, maybe the gay guys shouldn't be fighting so hard on this one after all.
Step Three: Modern Marriage
Just for fun, let's pretend that we have discovered that marriage IS a sacred, Christian-only institution between one man and one women who love God and each other. Well, naturally, that would mean that the only people who can get married are Christians, right? No Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, Agnostics, Wiccans, Pagans, or those who for traditional tribal belief systems?
And since church and state are separate, that would mean that there would be no laws about marriages, no marriage certificates, or tax breaks, or legal recognition for spouses and offspring.
That's how it works, right? ....what? It's not? Really?
Well, if this IS true, then someone needs to tell the people of Australia. The results of the last census found that 66.9% of all marriages are now performed by civil celebrants. In fact, religious weddings have been outnumbered by civil weddings in Australia since 1999.
Source:http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/094C7CFFDA274E61CA2577ED0014617C?opendocument
Sacred religious institution? It's looking less and less likely by the second.
Step Four: Marriage Today
Since it's pretty clear that marriage is not a purely Christian institution, let's try to figure out what it is.
Marriage, in Australia today, is a celebration of the joining of two consenting adults. It is a sharing of the love that these people share. It may involve family, friends, and religious figures. It can be between people of different faiths, nationalities, races, and ages. It may be a precursor to parenting; it may not. The kids might be involved in the ceremony, or the idea of procreation may not be on the cards at all. It is a legal institution that brings with it rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
So now you tell me: why not for same sex couples too?
