Marriage is the first institution of society. It brings together one man and one woman as husband and wife to be father and mother to their children. Just as it takes one man and one woman to create a child, the unique contributions of mother and father provide the ideal environment to raise a child.
Marriage is the beginning of family, and family is the foundation of society. Redefining marriage would further undermine an institution already weakened by pervasive infidelity and divorce. We need to promote a culture of marriage and family, not further dilute it.
Some say redefining marriage to include same-sex couples would strengthen marriage culture. They say marriage should be for any two people who love each other.
Love is an important part of marriage, but not a basis for public policy. What if more than two people love one another? What happens when the feelings fade? The government has no business regulating romance between adults. It has a vital interest in the institution that creates and nurtures the next generation.
This understanding requires no judgment about the morality of homosexuality. Many non-marital relationships are worthy of rights and responsibilities, including same-sex romantic couples, siblings, and friends who choose to care for one another.
Where the law is inadequate, we should pursue legislative solutions. For example, central to the DOMA case is a tax disparity. Rather than redefine marriage, why not simply eliminate the estate tax?
In a free society, the people's will prevails in the competition of ideas. Forty-one states have affirmed the meaning of marriage. The court should honor the process by allowing it to continue.
Eric Teetsel is executive director of the Manhattan Declaration, a movement for life, marriage and religious freedom.
Read more at USA TODAY.
Read more at USA TODAY.
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