<p>I think the idea that the "rights" of a social institution ought to override those of actual human beings is just silly.</p>
<p>There are individual rights and there are social rights. Significant individual rights are routinely trumped by social rights/restrictions. Take hate-speech, for instance. Marriage, whether we define it as exclusively for hetro or homo sexuals is by definition a social restriction on individual rights: divorce, income, debt, adultery, etc. Logically, using your above quoted axiom as a guide, marriage should be abolished in total as it is an absolute restriction on individual rights (of course, then there is that sticky issue of what legal protections will be granted to children and who will be responsible for them...perhaps the welfare system of the State?).</p>
<p>Why are justice, freedom and equality "ideals" when, say, marriage is not?
From what source do "justice, freedom, and equality" derive the OBJECTIVE value you assume for them or are they also as open to redefinition or extinction as marriage is? It doesn't seem to me that values can be relative and objective simultaneously. Can they?</p>
<p>As for the polygamy issue, my problem with it is that it undermines the idea of equality.</p>
<p>You do of course realize that consenting adults are an absolute given in any legal contract, marriage included--even homosexual marriage and polygamy. If what you are saying is true (and a lot of people in this world and country would say that it isnt) will all people have to choose to be, as you say, equal according to your sense of equality, and does that then negate their own Will on the matter?
Does your idea of equality trump everyone elses; how about masochistic and sadistic sexual practices between consenting adults, should they be criminalized because they would also offend your sense of equality? How liberal would that be in this brave new world of ours. </p>
<p>Either consenting adults are legally recognized to be in civil-union (marriage) in the manner in which they desire or they are not. If there are to be any restrictions, as in the case of polygamy, there are in fact restrictions per se. </p>
<p>a lot of (NOT ALL) polygamists tend to be older men who exploit young women and treat them as property</p>
<p>based upon your extensive research in the field, or a prejudice you have casually acquired? Similarly irrelevant and unfounded statements have been made regarding homosexual practices. Im generally opposed to legalized polygamy (the ordinary, or casual kind exists on almost every college campus), as is most of the United States, but I will at least acknowledge that it is a tradition or sentiment Im basing that opposition on, not objective knowledge or field work. The same goes for homosexual marriage. How about you?</p>
<p>Hows you objective notion of equality fairing?</p>