AN ARGUMENT AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
P1. If a view of marriage does not offer a meaningful, non-arbitrary distinction between marital and non-marital relationships in a way that explains important marriage norms, then that view of marriage more than likely gets marriage wrong.
P2. Same-sex marriage does not offer a meaningful, non-arbitrary distinction between marital and non-marital relationships in a way that explains important marriage norms
C. Therefore same-sex marriage more than likely gets marriage wrong.
CONSERVATIVE COMMENTARY
From DiscussingMarriage.org:
First of all, marriage must be distinct from other relationships in a meaningful way. Said in other words, there must be a non-arbitrary distinction between marriage and other kinds of relationships in our minds and in our laws if we are to fashion any sensible marriage policy. Otherwise, the concept of marriage has no meaning and serves no purpose.
Secondly, any such distinction should be related to the norms, or central expectations that marriage calls for, including sexual activity, monogamy (that is, two partners only), exclusiveness, fidelity (that is, loyalty), and permanence. For example, most people agree that married people should stay together unless there are very good, overriding reasons to separate. Most people presume that married partners are (or at least have been) sexually active. Most people presume that marriage relationships are exclusive in regards to those sexual activities. Why? Any good view of marriage must identify what about marriage makes sense of these norms. If our view of marriage does not offer this, it likely gets marriage wrong.
https://discussingmarriage.org/the-argument-from-crucial-distinction/
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Discussing Marriage – The Argument from Crucial Distinction