Tony,
Marriage is a biological reality recognized by Western society and the religious all cultures of the World. Recognized by the State to reduce conflict among men as to whom they had children.

Constance is constant.

AJ Philips:

“Why o’ why do I need to keep re-quoting you?”

I know, I know – I feel your pain, I really do. Why you keep engaging with such a dullard as me has me in awe. You truly have the patience of a saint.

I am not surprised though because you are generous to a fault. You know that you intellect is far superior to the rest of us but you willing give us links to help us understand the immense complexity of ‘what you are on about’. None of us could even pretend to know without this help. Most of us have not even the slightest clue about one of those Google things and if we did it would be a waste of ten seconds which you so caringly save us from.

You also help us with our Latin which is very kind of you since it is important to know if we are of a mind to impress others.

It is the way you expend yourself for my sake that I really admire. You have told me twice now that I am not very good at psychoanalysis. You think I would have got the message the first time but it seems no amount of nagging will get through my thick head. You have some credentials in that area too so I should be more respectful because credentials are everything. No one with credentials ever made a mistake.

Not only are you so generous but self-effacing to a fault. You were willing to admit that perhaps you got something wrong but my faith in you was restored when you told us that your first draught was indeed the correct one. How could you have ever doubted yourself?

I am glad that you took the time to tell me what patronising was not. I only wish you had the time and patience to tell me what it is but you have been far too giving already and I understand that many need you.

Or is it perhaps that you really need us?

Toni Lavis:

//In this case it was not necessary to have a marriage licence (it never is)//

“It is if you want to get married.”

It only is if you define marriage as a relationship that must have a certificate. Are you suggesting that there is only one definition of marriage – now that would be ironic?

Suseonline:

“Maybe not equal to you Josephus, but it will be LEGAL for gay people to get married in Australia sooner than you think , and not a damned thing will change for anyone else.”

That is what they said to Kim Davis but things changed for her.

“So take a deep breath, have a bex and a lay down, and just deal with it.”

So if it has already past the post then why do you feel the need to rub people’s noses in it? Don’t you think it will be reasonable to change the law?

Foxy:

“I wonder where politicians would be in
this country if they didn't toe their party
line on same-sex marriage or any other issue
and said what they really thought.”

They may well be out of a job but for some people integrity is more important than having a job. Have you never had to make a decision between your principles and your job?

“Have a Referendum -
and let Australians decide.”

Do you think it is more important to have access to a government marriage certificate than to have a new hospital or school or whatever could be bought for that kind of money?

“Perhaps allowing marriage would take care of
any interference in people's lives?”

They have a right to a certain amount of interference when it is about welfare and similar practical issues. They do so on the basis that people are couples – not married couples. There might be a need for more couple equality but there is no need for marriage equality.

There is no clear reason given by posters here why homosexuals want their relationship registered as marriage other than they want too. Which is not the reason heterosexuals prefer marriage, as they prefer marriage to establish family, not merely because they love each other. My wife's granddaughter lived with a guy for several years but when they had children they decided to marry for the children's sake so she had the same surname.

Dear Phanto,

It's up to Mr Abbott - where his priorities lie
and the costs involved. He would save a great
deal of money if he were to allow a conscience
vote in Parliament. The decision is his to make.