Marriage: What it is, Why it Matters, Consequences of Redefining it

From MercatorNet blog

A new report out today by Ryan T. Anderson for the Heritage Foundation rounds up the arguments against gay marriage in some detail but very systematically and clearly.

Here are the key points covered in Ryan Anderson's report:

Key Points:

·         Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces.

·         Marriage is based on the truth that men and women are complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the reality that children need both a mother and a father.

·         Marriage is society’s least restrictive means of ensuring the well-being of children. Marital breakdown weakens civil society and limited government.

·         Government recognizes marriage because it benefits society in a way that no other relationship does.

·         Government can treat people equally and respect their liberty without redefining marriage.

·         Redefining marriage would further distance marriage from the needs of children and deny the importance of mothers and fathers; weaken monogamy, exclusivity, and permanency, the norms through which marriage benefits society; and threaten religious liberty.

The full report (12 pages in pdf format) can be read or printed off here.