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With the narrow definitions of marriage and the strugle for equality all over the world, I think I probably have one of the most liberal personal defenitions of what I think marriage should be:
A legally recognised mutual and chosen relationship between people who share responsibility and privalages for and of each others' welfare.
Just that. Which will immediately bring up the fact that my definition is almost exactly the same as my defenition of family, except that 'family' aren't ways legally recognised, and aren't always chosen.
It would allow homosexual marriage, polygamy, have almost no restriction on age, except that both parties must be able to give personal consent, no restriction on race, creed, almost none on beleif, some isshues of property ownership but no possibility of one person owning their partner, no obligation to equally contribute, but a suggestion thereof.
What does everyone think about my definition? Whats wrong with it, whats right with it, what don't you agree with, what would you like to keep or adopt in your own government systems and most important to me personally, how would you define marriage if it was only up to you?
I have to add that I realise the great possibility this definition has for abuse, but I beleive the greater the degree of the personal priviledge of freedom or choice humans have the corrospondingly greater the associated responsibility for those choices becomes, and the greater the degree of possibility for abuse - its just something we have to live with. We might be able to give any privilegde fewer responisibility through clever choice of words or definition, and thus limit the chance of abuse, but such inbalance inevitably seems to fail throughout history, or the natural balance asserts itself despite anything we do and the possible abuse still happens. I'm willing to live with it, while still working to prevent it whenever I can.
[Updated on: Sat, 16 May 2009 13:54]
A truth told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent
-William Blake
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Dear Dewald, I think you have it right. What marriage does is impose duties on various organisations and people and also assign some rights.
A hospital must consult your partner if you cannot be consulted yourself, about your treatment. The tax authorities may tax you slightly less if you have a partner. You probably get the right to push the wheelchair!
Since promises can be broken (especially those made to God who doesn't seem to mind) there is no way of keeping a couple together if one is determined to split.
And whatever one says to the registrar in the register office, what one actually does is what one wants to do.
Problems may arise with religion, with prohibition of marriage between certain close relations, and with such fuss as the age of consent but I don't want to fuss about these.
The essence of it is that two people make a commitment to each other. If they have been wise or lucky enough to have chosen compatible partners then it may work.
Love,
Anthony
[Updated on: Sat, 16 May 2009 17:23] |
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I really like your definition. As far as it leaving openings for abuse, I think those problems have already been addressed with other laws. Spousal abuse, child abuse, property rights and etc seem to be covered. Some of those laws might need to be 'tweeked' but that's what we pay politicians for. We just need to keep the religious right from tweeking them to their own advantage.
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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I wouldn't change a word of your definition, Dee. My marriage is a deal between me and my wife. It has absolutely nothing to do with religion or the law or anything or anyone else. The deal is based in our absolute trust of each other, and nothing else is required.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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ray2x
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430
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Your definition explains many successful relationships, marriages and friendships.
Raymundo
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