Everyone seems to have an opinion on marriage; however, placement of homosexual couples within this institution has sparked hatred, violence, and discrimination of many kinds. It is most unfortunate since a solution to this "problem" has been at hand for many years. I'm assuming that I am not the first person to have this idea (which to me seems the best idea), but I've never heard of its public discussion. My proposition is something like this:
Take the government out of marriage.
It's that simple. The government should ONLY be allowed to issue civil unions. No more marriage for the government. Get those bureaucrats out of it. And have these civil unions available for any couple, regardless of sexual orientation; homosexual or heterosexual, each couple should receive the same benefits and the same social status from being in a civil union.
Now for all those out there who consider marriage to be a religious relationship between a man and a woman, that's fine. I have no problem restricting the ceremony of marriage to churches, synagogues, and mosques. If the Catholics prefer to limit their marriages to that of a man and a woman, fine. If the Anglicans want to marry homosexuals, that's great.
The bottom line is that the government needs to be non-discriminatory, and treat all people equally (unless they have violated the law). This can only be accomplished by disconnecting the government from an institution that has historically been discriminatory. Whether it discriminated against the poor (a family that could not afford a dowry) or against women (only men were allowed to dissolve marriages in ancient Rome) or any other group, it has been rife with discrimination. Because of that, we need to relegate this institution to the private sphere. So many heterosexuals already participate in civil marriages that it shouldn't be a big deal. Naturally, all couples still choosing to pursue a "traditional" marriage within their church would have to simultaneously apply for a civil union. The bottom line is that, in terms of taxes, adoption, or any other public issue, the government must act equally to all. After extensive research and thought, this is the best solution I have found, and most hetero- and homosexuals I have spoken with have no problem with it.
Thoughts?
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