I'll admit it, I'm against government sponsored gay marriage...

[hmkpoker]

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legal marragies are a necessary part of the governemnt.

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Why?

[Mroberts3]

Tom, you still didn't address my situation below. I can tell you disagree with the idea that anyone should be allowed to withhold info but that doesn't mean you should argue against marriage. If that particuar part of law bothers you, attack it, not something unrelated. Until that is changed, there is no reason ANYONE should recieve less protection under the law.

This is exactly why all people should be allowed to marry with regards to the state. (Why should a gay man have less protection in court than a straight man if his partner is called to testify against him?

[TomCollins]

What about the live-in girlfriend of someone? Should they get the special rights? What about the mistress of a married dude? What if someone wants to marry 3 women and a dude? Should they all be protected? Why should the government limit marriage to 2 people?

[elwoodblues]

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What about the live-in girlfriend of someone

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They have the ability to get married, ergo no special protection.

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What about the mistress of a married dude

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Again, there is the possibility of marriage.

The distinction is that a gay couple who wishes to marry can't. These above groups could (provided that the man in the second got a divorce)

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Why should the government limit marriage to 2 people

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No great reason...efficiency maybe???

[SheetWise]

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I am having a really hard time understanding your points here, but only to the extent that the government recognizes a change of status can certain rights related to marriage be conferred. The change in status is what makes marriage different from a contract.

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Any contract the government recognizes will change your status -- the difference in marriage is that there are three parties to the contract, and one can unilaterally alter the contract. Another difference is that it can be modified, but never concluded.

My point was that the government does not have to be a party to the contract or the terms to recognize that a relationship exists. Marriage is between two people, and if they choose, their church and community.

I thought this article was pretty good:

"What's The Point of Marriage, Gay or Straight?"