Thoughts from an Observationist
Big Subjects
The Definition of Marriage
Perhaps in another Thought I’ll talk about what marriage means to me, but this Thought is about definitions. And I freely admit I struggle with this… I’m not sure it will bring enlightenment to me or anyone who reads it. But let me begin.
For full disclosure, I come from a tradition that defines marriage as a union between separate genders, male and female, that meets the proclivities of each, and has the traditional goal of procreation. I could also add that the tradition usually describes the union as one blessed by God. Also important to some traditions, but not all, is that the two people make a marriage decision because they believe they love each other. So, I hope we can agree that that’s where we came from. But where are we now?
If we step away from this traditional definition to one that is more generic, then marriage is more the act of joining, rather than what is being joined. So, it would follow that human marriage would not require opposite genders. Does the use of another term, such as matrimony clarify things? No, not really, unless it becomes Holy matrimony, a term Christians use to tie the concept back to the traditional marriage definition. So, where is this going?
Well, I’m not sure where marriage in society is going, but as to this Thought, consider the following. There will continue to be a segment of society that wants words that have had some historical and traditional meaning, to retain that meaning. They would not want a dog to be called a horse, for example, based on some new societal enlightenment. Perhaps few would disagree with this. But the list of words not really open to interpretation is shrinking. More and more, the impact of current conventional wisdom or even fashion comes into play, to the point that “gray” is acceptable when it comes to the interpretation and definition of words.
In the case of marriage, defining it is more than an academic exercise. A marriage authorized by the state attaches some legal responsibilities and rights (privileges) that can add some clear advantages for the married couple. So, two people who love each other, regardless of gender, would want the freedom to participate in marriage; because others have that right and because it can be advantageous. And an increasing percentage of our population apparently would agree with them, to include thinking it is okay to move away from the traditional marriage definition.
Even so, I believe the traditional definition will always be with us. And although it may not always remain #1 in Webster’s, it will remain #1 in many people’s hearts, even as some of them acknowledge the reality of this other “new normal” in society. And they will continue to worry about erosion of the meaning of words… such as marriage expanding to include other previously-forbidden relationships. And at the end of the day, it is okay, even important, to retain traditional definitions when they are based on strong beliefs. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that two differing definitions, and lifestyles based on those definitions, can’t co-exist. That’s how things work, at least in this country. Yeah, at least for now.
enough