General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The gay marriage decision has put us in uncharted waters with regard to polygamy [View all]Igel
(35,320 posts)In every place it is practiced.
It used to be oppression, women as people, patriarchy, yada-yada, etc., etc. Some still think of it that way.
What's at stake people used to be able to say, "I have something you don't have. We can marry. You can't marry, LGBT people, because we're special and don't wanna share."
Now what's at stake is people saying, "I have something you don't have. We can marry. You cna't marry, people who want multiple spouses simultaneously, because we're special and don't wanna share."
In other words, we used to say, "Marriage is between a man and a woman." Change it one way, and you get "Marriage is between two people." Change it another way, "Marriage is between a man and women." Change it a third way and you get, "Marriage is between men and a woman." Once you've changed it, the "sanctity" of the definition, the tradition, the agreed upon meaning is broken and the word's meaning is in flux.