Quote Originally Posted by taylovesthebeatles View Post
Unfortunately the problem with your view, which in a lot of ways makes sense, is that in this country many benefits, financial and otherwise, are only given to couples who are married. For many *** couples, they are upset about the inability to marry for the simple reason that if something were to happen to them, the ones they love may not be able to be taken care of or even be able to see and care for their ailing loved ones. If marriage were "just a piece of paper" that'd be one thing and your argument would have some application, but unfortunately it isn't.

You are right in your position that people shouldn't necessarily need a legal document to prove their love for each other, as true love is about much more than that. But speaking as an engaged woman, marriage is about coming before those you love and hold dear (and in many cases, standing before God) and verbally and physically making a commitment to one another in front of those people. It is about saying to one another that in this journey of life, I choose to spend my days with you, take care of you and love you in the presence of all the rest of the world, and I am not ashamed to have the world know that you are my spouse. I am not saying marriage is necessary to prove love, far from that it is an expression of that love.

My basic point though is that in this country especially, marriage is often indeed a religious ceremony, but it is always a legal bond between persons that carries with it rights and responsibilities. So unfortunately you cannot legally equate the rights and benefits given to married couples with those who are unmarried. And that is the heart of the *** marriage argument, in my opinion. Yes certain religious individuals may be *** and believe that their God/deity/whatever is supportive of *** marriage and wish to enter into a religious ceremony in addition to the legal bond, as many straight people do when they marry. But ultimately it is an argument over the rights and privileges currently only given to straight married couples in many parts of the country that insure care and security for their loved ones in marriage.

Tay this was beautifully said. You certainly have a way with words. Nice post! I appreciate it. Very classy IMO!