Originally Posted by kane

If you go here you will see how this dictionary decides how to add, change and redefine words. One of the things they do is is search for, "new usages of existing words." They modify the definition of words all the time. There is no difference here. It still does not devalue it because the definition itself has no real value.

If we decide to have carriages defined as an automobile then you could look at three automobiles parked in a lot. One is a carriage. One is a brand new Ferrari and one is a beat up Honda Accord. You can say, by definition, "These are all automobiles." By saying that are you giving any value to any of them? No. There are a million factors that determine the value of an automobile. If you are looking to buy a Ford Mustang you aren't going to just call the first add in the paper for a car for sale and buy that car because it is technically an automobile. You would ask them what kind of car it is and ask other things about it.

The same goes with marriage. There is no value to saying someone is married. It is just a word that defines their arrangement. It doesn't give any value to their marriage.

Clearly, however, it appears that I won't be able to convince you of this.

I'm curious. Do you support civil unions? Is it just the use of the word marriage that you are hung up on or do you think that gay people shouldn't be allowed civil unions as well?