I think that's actually very consistent with what I *intended* to say anyway. ;-) I think most married people I know thought the legally unbinding (formal spiritual) marriage was the real one, and I was just saying people should have the choice of what they think is the real symbol of their commitment, so long as they know if they want legal rights, obligations and recognitions from the government they need to pay $25 and sign a form too.
Phil Henshaw From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of peggy miller Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:51 AM To: friam@redfish.com Subject: [FRIAM] Obama, Proposition 8 In response to Phil Henshaw, briefly, I believe there still remains a place for civil marriage -- that marriage has taken on a non-religious place in most people's hearts, sort of like Christmas trees and Christmas carols. It speaks of love, devotion, fidelity between two consenting adults, and should be something any two adults can partake in civilly. Love between two people should be able to celebrate and exist under a civil union, legally undertaken. ... and that union, historically, is called marriage. and I think gay male couples can also sort of choose the husband / wife roles to some degree -- though hopefully all couples, gay or straight, are beginning to edge into a shared mixture of both -- so does that mean that a straight couple who don't want to assume husband and wife roles are not able to be married -- maybe not under Webster .. So .. I have argued myself towards your position, rather than mine!! A new definition may be called for here. Peggy
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