[Modernman]

Of course, the people of this nation have a say in what contracts their government will and will not enforce.

Sure, but I'm saying that there should be no such thing as a "marriage contract." Consenting adults should be free to enter into any contract that lays out their relationsip to one another, the terms under which the contract can be dissolved, how property is to be distributed upon dissolution etc. etc.

You could do that now, if you want to. However, keep in mind, if we allow government to define marriage, activist judges may very well end up forcing the country to accept gay marriage as equal to regular marriage. By eliminating marriage as something the government does, that risk goes away permanently.

[truthingod]

I agree with you. We must be very careful not to let the judicial system or the legislative system define marriage. The definition is God ordained, not by men. Our response is to accept it and enjoy it. The culture must be the ones to define by how we live, what marriage is. We may cheer the efforts or legislators to help in this fight, but ultimately it is up to the decent people of this nation to define marriage.

[FormerLib]

Sure, but I'm saying that there should be no such thing as a "marriage contract." Consenting adults should be free to enter into any contract that lays out their relationsip to one another, the terms under which the contract can be dissolved, how property is to be distributed upon dissolution etc. etc.

If you see this as a good end, by all means, seek to enact such a system via legislation.

You could do that now, if you want to. However, keep in mind, if we allow government to define marriage, activist judges may very well end up forcing the country to accept gay marriage as equal to regular marriage.

At which time, it will become necessary to replenish the tree of liberty.

By eliminating marriage as something the government does, that risk goes away permanently.

This only would open a box to more social ills that would result in the end of this society. Sorry, but I'll have to oppose your plan as well as theirs.