X: So let's begin where we left off, shall we?
Socrates: Of course. I have a little observation to make. You never said whether marriage was a covenant.
X: Oh well, I'm sure that can wait. But you said that you had another definition to test?
Socrates: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. While surfing the web--I'm the first ancient philosopher to do so and I did not find much joy in the experience--while surfing the web, I discovered another possible definition of marriage that your modern society supports. Some would make the claim that any legalized sexual union among adults could be considered marriage, as long as the partners consent. Tell me: is any legalized sexual union between consenting adults to be considered marriage?
X: Of course not! That's absurd.
Socrates: All right. Why is it absurd?
X: Because that definition allows for homosexual unions, and for polygamy in all its forms. Come to think of it, that would also allow for legalized fornication, adultery, prostitution... you name it. It allows for just about every kind of sexual union except for rape. The results could only be worse if the age limit was lowered and if the parties were not required to consent. Obviously, no one calls these things marriage because they know better. But wait; is this quite the definition that you found?
Socrates: Yes, as far as I can remember.
X: What if this definition was changed just slightly? What if the parties were required to sign an agreement to stay together for at least a while? Would anything be different?
Socrates: Could it be different unless the parties agreed to stay together till death?
X: No. If they agreed to do that, then some of the sins on the list would be cancelled out--prostitution and fornication. If they don't agree to do this, then nothing has really changed. This is a fascinating subject, Socrates, but I really have to go.
Socrates: Ah, time. You Americans just don't seem to have enough of it anymore, do you?
No comments:
Post a Comment