finnet, you said that marriage causes that long list of issues you mentioned. Then you said there is no difference between being married or not. So which one is it? Take a pick, its not that hard, option 1 or option 2?
The reality is your original long list has nothing to do with being married, they are socio-economic issues that relate to being in relationships, having children etc etc.
As for abolishing marriage, its just an absurd, selfish idea. I am married, not because of religion (I am not religious), but because I and my wife feel that it consumated our love for each other. Whether we are married or not makes no difference legally - de facto relationships carry the same weight today as married relationships. People have the choice to marry. what benefit is there in taking that choice away? What is your reasoning for wanting to take away choice? You have been spruting a democratic parliament to the n-th degree yet want to take away the democratic right to marry?
Gay marriage is a separate issue. Personally I don't care either way but I can understand why some are vehemently against it on the basis of what they believe is natural and what is not. Again I personally don't make judgements on this, each to their own I say.
