When the definition of marriage is tampered with all rules are out the window.

By Nathan A. Cherry

Martinsburg, W.V. – Maine is preparing to vote on the definition of marriage. The battle in California is heating up again. President Obama has signed the new hates crimes bill, extending protection for homosexuals and transgendered persons. What is next? What can possibly be the next step to further distance this country from its traditional morals and values?

According to most experts the next step is quietly taking place as those involved in “polyamorous” relationships begin to seek legal rights and protections for their unique cultural spin on marriage.

In this consumerism flavored version of marriage any numbers of persons are inter-related with one another, forming a “family” structure known as a “cluster.” The cluster is composed of two men and a woman, two women and a man, three men and a woman, three women and three men. There doesn’t seem to be any rules to the structure of the cluster except that all parties agree.

But what is the point behind this fringe group of people that seek to be involved with many partners at one time? An ABC news article released earlier this year says:

“The polyamory movement grew out of the communes of the 1960s and the swingers of the 1970s, but today, with gay marriage legal in six states, some say their cause should be next.”

So is it really just about “free love” and switching partners as often as you like without consequence? Those points seem awfully shallow if legalization of group marriage and full recognition and protection are the ultimate goal. As Glenn Stanton, director of family formation studies at Focus on the Family said, “Is it really a good idea to open this Pandora’s Box?”

One proponent of polyamory or, as some have termed it “ethical nonmonogamy” said “We have rights to love any way we want unless we are harming other people…we have a right to be and do and say whatever is our full expression, and this to me is a civil right.”

Such a sentiment could be the very Pandora’s Box that groups such as Focus on the Family, the Alliance Defense Fund, and we here at the Family Policy Council are afraid to open. Where does the redefinition end? If rights and protections are given to homosexuals how can polygamists be rightly denied? How can polyamorists be denied? Furthermore what set of criteria could be imposed to deny their “civil rights” to marriage and equal protection?

If the family is fully redefined to include same-sex marriage there will be no legitimate reason to deny polygamists or polyamorists the same equal freedom and protection to marry; there is no set of criteria that can legitimately include homosexuals and exclude either of these groups. Once this is complete there will be no way to deny anyone or any group the same freedom and protection.

Taking this a step farther one has to consider children in the case of polyamorists. Is it really the healthiest environment for children to be raised in? I can only imagine the legal mess that will ensue when several people fight for custody of children that have been “common” property of the “cluster.” The logical end of this is a disastrous culture of consumerist relationships where people randomly pick and choose with no system of rules or restraint to govern. Chaos.

Don’t be fooled into thinking a fringe group like this is not preparing to mobilize if same-sex marriage is fully recognized and protected by the government. One proponent put it this way:

“We are the next generation after the gay and transgender communities.”

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