Re: [UUPoly-L] marriage/civil union/whatever

[Kytte <kyttewynpeny@gmail.com>]

I think that it is all well and good to say that there is no true difference
in the meanings of words (or phrases) like "civil union", "domestic
partnership" and "marriage".

On paper, there is not.

However, I give you the words of a very wise man, Father Jeff Farrow on this
subject:


 ""  Someone recently asked me: "Domestic partnerships are almost the same
as marriage, why the need for
marriage?"<http://fathergeofffarrow.blogspot.com/2008/10/someone-recently-asked-me-domestic.html>
Under
California State law, a heterosexual couple may also enter into a Domestic
Partnership. So, try this: Inform your girlfriend that you've decided you'd
like to enter into a Domestic Partnership with her, instead of marriage. I
am certain that she will be able to explain the HUGE difference between the
two realities in a far more forceful and colorful way than, I would ever be
able to accomplish.
Just one friendly word of advice from someone who used to play hockey in
High School, you should put on an athletic supporter with a protective cup
before having the aforementioned conversation with your girlfriend. ""



For those who don't know, Fr. Jeff is a priest who has been suspended from
duties because he refused to urge his parishioners to vote yes on Prop 8 in
CA.   His blog is quite wonderful.


We can say all we want that civil union and marriage are the same, but
culturally, they are not.  Hence the sticky wicket we find ourselves in at
the moment.

My own opinion on the matter is that as far as the government is concerned,
marriage is a subset of contract law and should be treated as such.  There's
no need to "define" who (or how many) the parties may or may not be that
wish to enter into this contract, other than the definition of a consenting
adult.

What individual churches decide to do with their own ceremonies celebrating
the entering into of said contract is their business.  This is why we
separated church and state oh, so long ago.   Why people feel that we need
to move backwards in regards to that separation is beyond my ken.

-K