Abolish Marriage

Don't get me or the others wrong here. We love the outside of the box thinking you have, and the ideas raise interesting questions. We have shown interest in the things you bring and we have shown that we are up for discussion on them. However, it's your delivery that needs some work. We are Jedi. We are peaceful. We can have these debates and conversations, but let's try to be respectful of others' ideas/opinions no matter how outlandish they may seem to us. After all, isn't that the Jedi way? We may not be "true" Jedi in your eyes, but i'm pretty sure we know the Jedi way. Peace...respect. These are the traits of a Jedi.

Star Forge, you asked for examples of good marriages and I would have to say my own. We have been married for nearly nine years now. We were married about six months after getting together which may seem quick but I personally believe that when it feels right it probably is and I tend to go with my instincts.

Pomp and ceremony does not appeal to either my wife or I so our wedding was quite low key with just family and a few close friends attending. Neither of us are particularly dressy so we didn't spend a fortune on dresses and suits, in fact I wore sandals. For us the day was more about celebrating our love for each other and sharing that celebration with those closest to us. Yes we made a life long commitment at the time but we have both said right from the start that if ever either of us falls out of love with the other then we should be honest and not continue to live a lie.

Our marriage is completely equal and gender does not play a part as such. We have some different interests and sometimes different things are important to us so we tend to fulfil certain roles, for example, my wife usually chooses the décor of the place in which we live while I usually choose any electrical entertainment items. The roles we play within our marriage may seem gender stereotypical at times but I think this simply reflects our personalities and the way society encourages the development of males and females but that could be a different topic. I believe this would be reflected in any relationship regardless of marriage.

As far as children are concerned we do not have any at the moment and I know this will disgust you Star Forge but we do intend to have at least one. We decided to wait for a time that we are both mature enough and have enough life experience to be the best parents we possibly can be. If for whatever reason we were unable to have our own we would adopt. We realise that you are never completely prepared for having a child but I know for a fact that I will be a better father at thirty five than I would have been at twenty five. I do not however think that this would necessarily be the case for all.

Although I feel that my marriage is a good one and I have nothing against marriage I do not agree with the way it is often portrayed in many cultures. I think marriage should be a choice and I do not agree with it being forced on anyone. I also disagree with the way society sometimes pressures people into getting married as I do not think it should make any difference both socially and legally. I believe that marriage should be the same for all genders and same sex marriage should be treated exactly the same as any other. I think that if a couple have been together for a certain period of time, regardless of marriage, they should be protected by the law in matters of finance and all should be divided equally or at least fairly if children are involved and one parent is going to have them the majority of the time.

I certainly do not think marriage should be banned but like many things in the world we live in today there are good and bad examples. Each of us is different and different things work for different people. Once again, in my opinion, it comes down to each to their own as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

Personally I love the idea of eventually being ordained and maybe having the opportunity to unite two Jedi in marriage as a commitment to the Force and their love for each other.

MTFBWY

Star Forge wrote: I would like to share my views as I believe they are right. The same can be said of most anybody. However, notice that I am speaking only on behalf of myself, and that I am not trying to legislate my morality. Creationist try to speak for all Christianity, and have tried numerous times to legislate their beliefs into the education system here in the US. Big difference.

Almost forgot about this. Let me ask you something? While it is true that extreme creationists can make Christianity look wacky, so does Westboro Baptist Church. Extremist Muslism make Islam look bad. Many Jedi groups make Jediism look bad. But you know what? People look past those. Those who don't...well, that's their fault for not looking into the truth. That's just how I see it. Oh, and what may seem morally right to you, might not seem that way to others. Once again, we have to be respectful of that. We are Jedi.

Looks like other folks would like to abolish it too:

http://www.wnd.com/2009/10/113802/

The other thought ideologoy can found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antinatalism

It is refreshing to see the positive comments on this one. I am convinced that threads should stretch us and challenge us.

We must be aware that psychosomatic illness can manifest itself anywhere, even on a disscussion board.

This thread is about marriage, not about Star Forge, his beliefs or the diseases he may or may not be suffering from. Keep it that way please, thank you.

Respectfully, if the marriage suit you and if you believe in it, get married if you found someone who's exceptionnal. If you not believe in marriage, dont get married and stop bothering these who believing in it. Marriages are very personnal choices, maybe some doing it for the wrong purposes or not really thinking what they are saying during the ceremony... but it's their problem, not our. Marriages are sacred to these who really believing in it... and to abolish it whould be like abolishing any other sacred institutions. I'm not less happy happy when i'm with married peoples vs "only-in-partenership" peoples, because it's not changing how they are with others, but it's only changing the way they see each other as couple.

In most communist/crackpot countries they abolished sacred institutions and religions ("religion is the opium of the people" sic. Karl Marx)... To be radical don't serve humanity. There's fanatism in religions as in anti-religious movements...

Let others live, think and do what they think who's good and great, as long it's not harming anyone... Please be moderate.

You are correct Ren that the topic is about intelligently debating the core values of marriage and what it means...

However, putting someone down with a negative remark is way out of line and that person needs to see what they did, because I don't think they see it themselves.

There is an article on bbc news about marriage, whether it belongs to the church, and gay marriage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17162442

The top comments so far are:

How ironic... Origen declared marriage to be "impure and unholy", St. Ambrose said marriage was "a crime against God", Tertullian said it was a "moral crime", St. Augustine declared it to be "a sin". Tatian called it "a polluted and foul way of life". Marriage in England was mostly by common law until 1753. Christians should shut up and re-read their own history.

Why do people with imaginary friends get so much of a say in things?

Marriage is a condition that gives two people contractual status, rights and responsibilities towards each other and their society. Although it often reflects the depth of a relationship, it is not necessary for this.
Where is the church in that? This is a human condition not a religious one.

Another post says:

The minister is correct. Civil marriages with no religious element have been legal in England&Wales since 1837. It is therefore absurd to suggest that religion has a monopoly on the word 'marriage'. The Church is entitled to its belief but it has no legitimate claim to ownership of the concept of marriage. It in fact belongs to the state, which must allow access to marriage without discrimination.

So, basically in england the church had a monopoly on marriage between 1753 and 1837 ? That's not an awfully long time.


Another quote for the road:

Our strong advice to anyone who disagrees with same-sex marriage is not to get married to someone of the same sex.

Let's get rid of "equality" instead.

Everyone should have the freedom to the misery known as marriage (jk)...its just a bindingof one persons wallet to another persons spending habits (jk again)...but seriously, everyone should have the freedom to chooseto marry or not and to whom they want