<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />Enter the devil's advocate:

What is the original purpose of marriage? Title of possession!

What was it that instigated early societies to formulate rules and rituals to create a special bond, that was accepted and protected by society, and that went beyond the mutual (?) agreement of the parties involved? To show everyone, this human (historically woman) belongs to me, and all others keep your hands off! All its possessions are now mine to use, from here on ever. Only our children will be exclusive heirs, irrespective of how many bastards I may sire.

For the protection of possession and priviledges more and more rules were created. Sovereign and religion build their power on the influence they excerted - and then came "democracy"!

The sovereign became an impersonal entity - but, as all sovereigns, still in constant need for money and power. But all those priviledges related to marriage had to be preserved, even though wealth is now spread over a much wider population base - since it is very unpopular to take away priviledges.

The percentage of people grew that chose to live and find happiness (the pursuit of happiness being a constitutional right!) outside the "norm". And then asked for the logic behind denying them the same priviledges.

Now it could have been an option to give everybody the same rights and priviledges, but this reduces income. Or alternatively, one could give everybody the same rights and take away the priviledges, but this reduces popularity = power base.

So, since logic does not provide a good excuse, a more subtle approach was required. Religion was very helpful, as usual. And the basic human fear of change, the mistrust of the unusual, deviating, unknown,"other". The threat to take away priviledges - did not even have to be substantiated, the pure indication of the possibility is quite sufficient, to instigate opposition to such "modern" thoughts.

Exit the devil's advocate <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

In times of crisis it is of the utmost importance not to lose your head (Marie Antoinette)