08-18-2004, 09:13 PM
Hi,
Where the state has failed is by being in the marriage game at all, or creating priviledges or penalties depending on marital status.
Yes. But do not forget the workplace, where insurance, etc. goes with 'marriage'. But, overall, I agree.
The amazing thing is how progressive the founding fathers (especially Jefferson and Franklin) were and how much they were able to transcend their social milieu. From pre-history, religion dominated. "Separation of church and state"? Hell, the church *was* the state (and conversely) since forever. More of the Reformation was driven by politics than by dogma. And a thousand years of uninterrupted and unquestioned Christianity permeated Western Europe. That a small group of intelligent and progressive men (and a few women, Abigail Adams comes to mind) were able to see beyond the blinders of tradition is a tribute to the potential greatness of humanity.
And what a bunch of ignorant rednecks have done to that dream over the past quarter of a millennium is a true tribute to the validity of pessimism. There is no noble endeavor that stupidity, ignorance, and a fear of the unknown cannot derail. Fortunately, where the USA showed the way, others have followed and now (thanks to *their* educational system actually educating) they are showing us the way.
--Pete
Where the state has failed is by being in the marriage game at all, or creating priviledges or penalties depending on marital status.
Yes. But do not forget the workplace, where insurance, etc. goes with 'marriage'. But, overall, I agree.
The amazing thing is how progressive the founding fathers (especially Jefferson and Franklin) were and how much they were able to transcend their social milieu. From pre-history, religion dominated. "Separation of church and state"? Hell, the church *was* the state (and conversely) since forever. More of the Reformation was driven by politics than by dogma. And a thousand years of uninterrupted and unquestioned Christianity permeated Western Europe. That a small group of intelligent and progressive men (and a few women, Abigail Adams comes to mind) were able to see beyond the blinders of tradition is a tribute to the potential greatness of humanity.
And what a bunch of ignorant rednecks have done to that dream over the past quarter of a millennium is a true tribute to the validity of pessimism. There is no noble endeavor that stupidity, ignorance, and a fear of the unknown cannot derail. Fortunately, where the USA showed the way, others have followed and now (thanks to *their* educational system actually educating) they are showing us the way.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?