is marriage an antiquated concept

[datasuspect]

based on the erroneous assumption that something is infinite in an existence where the only certain knowledge you can have is that you will die and where everything is impermanent and transitory?

in other words, is it reasonable to enter into contract that fundamentally assumes that something can be permanent?

[billyskank]

1. Permanent? I thought the vow was "till death do us part" ?

[datasuspect]

2. um that's pretty permanent in terms of a finite existence

some people live to be 115

and then you have people who feel that their spouses who preceded them in death will be waiting for them in heaven.

[billyskank]

3. That is nonsense.

Your original post said, "based on the erroneous assumption that something is infinite in an existence where the only certain knowledge you can have is that you will die and where everything is impermanent and transitory?"

The vow explicitly acknowledges that death will dissolve the relationship, so there is no erroneous assumption.

[datasuspect]

4. eh

experience has shown me on several occasions that similar phenomenon.

"forever" in terms of a lifetime unto death is more the point however.

it really doesn't take much in terms of mental capacity to suss this.

but i appreciate your viewpoint nonetheless.

you are one of the few people i don't feel parsimonious with being understanding around here. so i won't treat you the way you seem to be treating me.

that goes hand in hand with being the great ocean into which all the defiling streams of humanity course.

datasuspect is that great ocean.

salaam.

[billyskank]

8. No offence intended, please

I simply do not like words being redefined to mean something other than what they mean; otherwise how will we understand each other? Infinite means infinite, and the length of a person's life is assuredly finite. A lifetime until death is not forever.

[PeaceNikki]

9. huh, you guys spell offense wrong in the UK, too, huh?

Like color and behavior.




:P

[billyskank]

10. Yes, we spell many things wrong.

:hi:

[lost-in-nj]

7. I thought it was until then also...

but my fairytale was shattered....



lost

[billyskank]

11. I'm sorry, lost

The practice does not always match up with the theory. You aren't alone. :hug:

[PeaceNikki]

5. Fuck. I meant to vote BACON. Given the option, bacon wins every time.

This is a Diebold poll, isn't it? I clicked bacon x(

[datasuspect]

6. bacon is better than looking at the same person every day.

[Deja Q]

12. Then nobody should get married and I should get a lot more nookie.

:P

[skygazer]

13. I voted "other"

Since you left "horseradish" off the poll. :wtf:

[NewWaveChick1981]

14. It's an antiquated concept.

And I'm married. I can prove it. :P

[billyskank]

15. Hey

Check your PM. :hi:

[CatholicEdHead]

16. No, monogamy can be good

for all couples regardless of gender.

[dropkickpa]

17. I think there should be something such as

Marriage contracts, with a finite defined time period (say 5 years), that can be renewed after that time has passed, available to all. Americans tie in all of our various religious views with what marriage is, but neglect that fact that it has many of the earmarks of a business partnership. Want the big chirch wedding? Go for it! But that big church wedding is NOT the legal basis of the marriage.

Find out you married the wrong person? Easy, free dissolution of the marriage rather than the hardship it can sometimes be for people (one of my brothers and his wife are in themiddle of a divorce, it's very amicable, but it does cost something even for no fault quickie divorces).

Love the person just as much if not more after 5 years? You have an excuse for a PAR-TAY!!!

[BarenakedLady]

21. Sounds awesome to me!

:thumbsup:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

18. i hope not unless ofcourse you get married because you are insanely insecure

and believe that marrying the person will keep them permanently with you.

[eyesroll]

19. A civil marriage contract has a termination clause.

It doesn't assume permanence -- it just assumes indefiniteness. Just like most open-ended employment contracts -- you'll work here unless one of us doesn't want that anymore.

There is no legal requirement that one take 'til-death-do-us-part vows. (In fact, these days, any open-ended contract without any way to terminate it would probably be struck down.)

[BarenakedLady]

20. Nothing is forever