Difference between revisions of "Changing the definition of marriage"
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(Created page with '==Overview== It is often claimed by opponents of gay marriage that allowing individuals to marry others of the same sex would be somehow [[changing the definition of marriage...') |
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | It is often claimed by opponents of [[gay marriage]] that allowing individuals to marry others of the same sex would be somehow [[changing the definition of marriage]] and that this would be a bad thing due to the importance of marriage in our society and the way marriage works. | + | It is often claimed by opponents of [[gay marriage]] that allowing individuals to marry others of the same sex would be somehow [[changing the definition of marriage]] and that this would be a bad thing due to the importance of [[marriage]] in our society and the way marriage works. |
This claim overlooks a number of things, including the fact that marriage has in fact had many different forms throughout history, even in [[Western culture]], and only arrived at its present Western form (the [[nuclear family]], marriage sanctioned by law, and other details) within the past century or so. | This claim overlooks a number of things, including the fact that marriage has in fact had many different forms throughout history, even in [[Western culture]], and only arrived at its present Western form (the [[nuclear family]], marriage sanctioned by law, and other details) within the past century or so. | ||
Revision as of 21:10, 30 May 2009
Overview
It is often claimed by opponents of gay marriage that allowing individuals to marry others of the same sex would be somehow changing the definition of marriage and that this would be a bad thing due to the importance of marriage in our society and the way marriage works.
This claim overlooks a number of things, including the fact that marriage has in fact had many different forms throughout history, even in Western culture, and only arrived at its present Western form (the nuclear family, marriage sanctioned by law, and other details) within the past century or so.
Forms of Marriage
- In the Bible, marriage was often between one man and many women (polygyny).
- "For most of European history, marriage was more or less a business agreement between two families who arranged the marriages of their children." - Wikipedia
- "[Greek and Roman] marriage and divorce required no specific government or religious approval. Both marriage and divorce could happen by simple mutual agreement." - Wikipedia
- "Until 1545, Christian marriages in Europe were by mutual consent, declaration of intention to marry and upon the subsequent physical union of the parties. ...the presence of a priest or witnesses was not required." - Wikipedia
- In the US, married women were once prohibited from owning property, and married couples were prohibited from using contraception until 1972. Married women were only allowed credit in their own names in 1975.