Gay marriage vs. Civil Unions

[Diesel66]

Originally Posted by Pro Street

oh look, the standard, "well then we should let people marry kids/animals/etc"

it's already been stated over and over that 1) it's a legal contract, which means that one must be of legal age and 2) non-consentual relationships rape

try a better one next time.

You cannot use one morality law to back another law.

The only reason a releationship between a 20 year old an a 15 year old is illegal is because of a man made law based on little to nothing. That doesnt provide any argument to why they shouldnt be allowed to get married.

[imind]

You cannot use one morality law to back another law.

its not a moral issue as to why we only allow adult humans (of sound mind) to enter into binding contracts. animals and kids simply cannot be expected to honor them. not all laws are based on morality.

[Diesel66]

Originally Posted by imind

its not a moral issue as to why we only allow adult humans (of sound mind) to enter into binding contracts. animals and kids simply cannot be expected to honor them. not all laws are based on morality.

But it is a moral law that says 18 or older can consent to sex.

Cross an imaginary line and now it is ok for 16 year olds to have sex. But they still cant consent to marriage.

[Kytro]

Originally Posted by Diesel66

But it is a moral law that says 18 or older can consent to sex.

Cross an imaginary line and now it is ok for 16 year olds to have sex. But they still cant consent to marriage.

Laws are full of inconsistencies and can be based on morals that have flawed reasoning behind them.

[Pro Street]

Originally Posted by Diesel66

But it is a moral law that says 18 or older can consent to sex.

Cross an imaginary line and now it is ok for 16 year olds to have sex. But they still cant consent to marriage.

i don't think it's a moral law, it's more of a rational one. a 16 year old in many cases is not considered old enough to have the live expierence to make specific decisions.

However, age laws do change:

1) Vietnam war, voting age and drinking age dropped to 18 from 21. The drinking age remains 18+ for many overseas bases for active duty.

2) Marital laws, in some places they're as low as 16, others were 21 until recently

3) Age of consent in Canada is 14. Not related to the U.S. but I'm bringing it in anyway.

[Diesel66]

Originally Posted by Pro Street

i don't think it's a moral law, it's more of a rational one. a 16 year old in many cases is not considered old enough to have the live expierence to make specific decisions.

If that is the argument, then explain all those states that have the close age laws. Illegal for a 16 year old to consent to a 25 year old but it is fine if the same 16 year old consents to a 20 year old.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot

I agree. Why not just let any two creatures marry? Man or woman CAN marry thier cat, dog ,horse,goldfish etc?
That way nobody can feel they are being discriminated against.
Take it further man/woman can marry thier own kids.
After all when destroying standards there should be no limit. Right??
Sure enough, the enlightened people amaze me. The give me my rights so that I can destroy yours people are so brilliant it is almost Godlike. I am humbled indeed. TZS

You have got to be fisting me.

[Kytro]

Originally Posted by Pro Street

i don't think it's a moral law, it's more of a rational one. a 16 year old in many cases is not considered old enough to have the live expierence to make specific decisions.

However, age laws do change:

1) Vietnam war, voting age and drinking age dropped to 18 from 21. The drinking age remains 18+ for many overseas bases for active duty.

2) Marital laws, in some places they're as low as 16, others were 21 until recently

3) Age of consent in Canada is 14. Not related to the U.S. but I'm bringing it in anyway.

People like their lines in sand. In reality the lines are somewhat arbitrary.

[Pro Street]

Originally Posted by Diesel66

If that is the argument, then explain all those states that have the close age laws. Illegal for a 16 year old to consent to a 25 year old but it is fine if the same 16 year old consents to a 20 year old.

Almost all states have 2-year statutory laws. And many of those states also have stipulations.

When many of those laws were passed, it was a highly patriarchial society, where a woman would grow up and get married right away, even before she turned 18. This happened even up to and probably past the 50s.