AN ARGUMENT AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
P1. Replacing a pre-state institution (that limits the power of the state) with a new institution that depends on the state for its existence, would shift power from the family to the state
P2. Same-sex marriage replaces a pre-state institution (that limits the power of the state) with a new institution that depends on the state for its existence
C. Therefore same-sex marriage would shift power from the family to the state
CONSERVATIVE COMMENTARY
This argument is also used against:
August Zimmerman said:
As noted by Gerard Calilhanna in ‘Gay Marriage and The Growth of State Intervention (Quadrant, September 2012), ‘here we have a major example of extreme statism, where a crucial pre-state institution that limits the power of the state is suppressed and replaced by an institution that depends on the state for its existence’. Indeed, same-sex marriage ‘has nothing to do with liberty’. It is rather an artificial creation by our powerful elites that ‘expands rather diminishes the power of the state over our lives’. Therefore, as Brendan O’Neill correctly points out:
The presentation of this as a liberal, or even libertarian, issue is highly disingenuous. For in truth, gay marriage massively expands the authority of the state in our everyday lives, in our most intimate relationships, the ultimate provider of validation to our lifestyle choices, while empowering it to police the cultural attitudes and consciences of those of a more religious or old-fashioned persuasions.
https://www.spectator.com.au/2017/09/the-classical-liberal-case-against-same-sex-marriage/
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Discussing Marriage – The Argument from Limited Government