Reply #7: What's to defend? Examination of the origins of marriage shows

[radwriter0555]

that it was designed as a barter of property. Women were sold (dowry) into arranged marriages for the betterment of family and business ties and wealth. Hardly sanctified!

Humans are not genetically designed for monogamy; as in, their reproductive organs are not mechanically inclined to single partnerships.

To think that all people must only love and reproduce with one partner their entire life is just plain silly. Nice idea, but rather over-idealogical.

Think about it. Marriages, especially in the USA are based on marketing and shopping. White dresses? Symbolizing virginity? How silly! Bridesmaids? How many people do YOU know that have maids of any sort? The ceremony itself is a joke, only recently changing wording from 'man' to "husband," heretofor having placed the female in the completely subordinate position.

I LOVE the idea of people committing themselves to each other for life, but it's not particularly realistic. A legal agreement without all the pomp and christian based rhetoric is far more realistic. Call me a cynic.