[DBeers]

Thanks for the reasonable response. I understand your point, and I thought I addressed it earlier. Marriage as an institution, and specifically, the protections and benefits it affords its participants, exist to promote procreation and provide protection and support for offspring. Assuming this, then why don't we prohibit marriages where one of the couple is unable to contribute to procreation? i.e. An elderly widow and widower, a woman who has had a hysterectomy, or a man who is impotent?

You may be on the wrong Forum? What Free Republic is all about:

Statement by the founder of Free Republic

As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty.

Free Republic is private property. It is not a government project, nor is it funded by government or taxpayer money. We are not a publicly owned entity nor are we an IRS tax-free non-profit organization. We pay all applicable taxes on our income. We are not connected to or funded by any political party, news agency, or any other entity. We sell no merchandise, product or service, and we offer no subscriptions or paid memberships. We accept no paid advertising or promotions. We are funded solely by donations (non tax deductible gifts) from our readers and participants.

We aggressively defend our God-given and first amendment guaranteed rights to free speech, free press, free religion, and freedom of association, as well as our constitutional right to control the use and content of our own personal private property. Despite the wailing of the liberal trolls and other doom & gloom naysayers, we feel no compelling need to allow them a platform to promote their repugnant and obnoxious propaganda from our forum. Free Republic is not a liberal debating society. We are conservative activists dedicated to defending our rights, defending our constitution, defending our republic and defending our traditional American way of life.

[SilentServiceCPO]

I am aware of Jim Robinson's views. I respect this forum tremendously, and though I haven't been a prolific poster, I have been here awhile and lurked long before that. I despise judicial activism (though there is a bit of that in this post), I am fervently anti-abortion, I am pro-second amendment... almost item for item down the list. I don't happen to agree with the homosexuality issue though. I also believe that this is an issue of some importance. I may not change anyone's mind, but I do appreciate the opportunity to discuss it with intelligent people and maybe get some to at least hear my views.