More on a proposed “Federal Marriage Amendment”

I am continually amazed by the arguments used to counter the gay marriage issue.

If homosexuals are permitted to marry, then the entire legal basis for the family will be undermined. For example, if marriages between two men or two women are recognized by the state, then why not three men or four women, or perhaps four men and two women?
Dr. James Dobson, "Protecting Marriage"

The reason that polygamy is wrong is not simply because “it threatens the very institution of marriage.” Polygamy (in the most common sense of the word - one man, multiple wives) is another example of the subjugation of women. We are at a place in our history where we are treating men and women as equals - and partners in marriage are equal partners, not spouse and lieutenant spouse. Polygamy sets the man in an authoritative position above the women. This is human bondage. This is misogyny.

There is a movement out there for legalizing polygamy, but the religious right looks awfully foolish by pretending this movement has any kind of strength. The actual chances of polygamy being seriously considered for legal purposes are up near zero

ADDENDUM: (3-16)
Famous polygamists through history:
Abraham
Jacob
Gideon
King David
King Solomon

From NPR:
History of U.S. Marriage: Polygamy Conflict

Marriage is a time-honored and time-tested institution between one man and one woman proven to be the most basic unit of society and the stabilizing force within the family. Any attempt to dilute its purpose or definition will have very serious negative effects on our society as a whole.
Cleveland Heights Families First Initiative - on the recent Cleveland Heights Domestic Partner Registry

OK, look. Being time-honored and time-tested really means very little I'm afraid. Racism, for example, is also a time-honored and time-tested institution forced by one ethnic group upon another proven to be the most basic means of establishing societal unity. Attempts to destabalize institutionalized racism have resulted in people having to actually deal with their problems rather then blaming some societal scapegoat. Xenophobia is as old as the human race.

Child-labor is a time-honored and time-tested institution proven to be one of the best means of maximizing economic resources within the family unit (second only to slavery). Attempts to criminalize child labor can fundamentally upset the structure of the family as an independant unit.

The idea that we should keep doing something just because we've always done it that way is flimsy logic at best.

Mark