Klarinet Archive - Posting 000112.txt from 2004/03

From: "rien stein" <rstein@-----.nl>
Subj: [kl] Dont Amend Protest
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:21:31 -0500

I think I seldom read a more off-topic non-scientifically based discussion
on this list, as the one about the homosexual marriage. No one responding to
this thread ever talked about the essentials: what is actually the meaning
of marriage, and what is the importance of a family?

In my opinion the meaning of marriage, in old times, and even not so long
ago was mainly an economical contract: women had no chances on the labour
market, and got a contractfor life with a man: he would provide the
necessities for life, and she would provide him with a bunch of children as
kind of insurance that they need not starve in later years.

Somehow in this discussion in several societies homosexual relationships
have been considered a better kind of relationship, in other societies
(among which Islamic, but also the contemporary US society, at least in
major part) it has been considered a very inferior, or even sinful
relationship. And of course in the light of viewing marriage as a contract
to ensure progeny, this can be understood, though not pardoned. To make
marriage a sacrosanct way of living together even historically is incorrect:
marriage became an institution only in the 20th century! Before the common
people seldom "married", they just some day went into the same bed, and were
married! Only the rich maried in the official sense of the term, underlining
mariage as an economical contract, the wedding being accompanied with many
restrictions as to properties.

In my opinion it is hypocrite to write about marriage as an institution of
great importance in these days anyhow, ina society were it is almost a shame
not to be divorced after ten or twenty years of marriage.And when a woman
says she wants to be a virgin when she marries, and in order to sleep with
someone marries that one some day, sleeps with him one night and divorces
again the next morning one wonders what the meaning of virginity is -- or of
marriage!

Thus what can be the problem when two people of the same sex decide they
want to see their desire to have a stable relationship be officially
affirmed? Isn't that a much better base than the "Spear Britney" marriage,
that is only performed to legalise an undoubtedly pleasant night in bed
together?

About the implications of a stable and sound family life I will not know say
anything more, I think my view in this respect will be clear.

And to abolish all doubts about my sexual disposition: I am not gay, I
married my wife over 32 years ago, never divorced, and have three children.

And now back to my conductor's course

Rien

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