[nufsed]

We were declared independent of a king on the basis of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Marriage is a clear example of the latter two.

[goldstategop]

That was a divorce. We divorced the Mother Country because of irreconcilable differences.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[rob777]

"Marriage is a clear example of the latter two."


That is not why society takes an interest in marriage. There are a lot of things that relate to the pursuit of happiness, which are not considered a matter of public concern. No private relation between two individuals is a matter of public concern unless that relationship has the potential to produce vulnerable third parties. Society takes a public interest in the relationship between a man and a women because of the potential for that relationship to produce children. The public support for marriage is to provide stability in a relationship that may produce children. The support is intended for the institution of marriage with the intent to protect the children, rather than to provide benefits for the individuals involved in the relationship.

At one time even the Gay Rights activists realized this and opposed Sodomy Laws on the basis that their relationship was merely a matter of private interest and not a public concern. Now most Gay Rights activists are reversing course and insisting that their relationship IS a matter of public interest. I know at least one Gay libertarian who opposed Gay Marriage because he recognized that it's proponents have rejected the premise that earlier Gay Rights activists used to fight against discrimination with. At one time the Gay Rights activists merely wanted to be left alone, now they want to enlist the state in a quest to redefine a MAJOR social institution.