[tdadams]

In a world where anti-social behavior was restrained by fear of disgrace, by fear of ostracism, by fear of "what the neighbors will say" civil society did not need the state to define marriage.

I'm not sure it's a convincing argument to say we should revert to a time where people lived in fear.

[Sam the Sham]

If male hormones are not to be the sole criterion of what is the good, some form of societal sanction is necessary. That is why government is in the marriage business. It is in the interest of society to see to it that women and children are looked after if society is to remain civilized. That is why government must protect the weaker party (the wife and children) from the stronger (the male).