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Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
notions of romantic love, devotion, eternity and fidelity . . . are echoes of Western religious tradition.
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I disagree. These notions are older than Western religious tradition (if by that you mean Judeo-Christian trandition), and do not need a religious underpinning to exist.
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As for affording "benefits" based on marital status, I have no idea how the state can stop doing so. The tax benefit/burden issue is complicated and can be easily reset --- maybe it should be. But when a person becomes incompetent, who else but their spouse will speak for them? When a person dies intestate, who else but their spouse will inherit?
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You make the point of gay activists who seek equality in this area. Gay partners want they same right to visit their loved ones in the hospital, make health care decisions for unconcious or mentally incompetent partners, direct funeral arrangements, and inherit property that straight married people have. But the government has denied gay people those rights by refusing them marriage licenses.
