[longtermmemmory]

There are private acts which are illegal. Smoking pot, torturing animals, etc.

The public distinction of the marriage instituion has serious merit. The point of marriage is to memorialize publicly the start of a new family. To memorialize the children raise of a pair publically.

Cruelty to animal laws are different from whom you pop orgasms laws. Love has never been a part of marriage law.

[asmith92008]

I never claimed that love is part of marriage laws. Indeed, love is not enough or there would be no argument against polygamy, incest or homosexual marriage. Nor is my point that marriage is not a public institution. It is a quintessentially public institution that forms the basis of our society.

My arguments focused on the enforcement of laws against homosexuality, adultery and other "private" acts.