THE EVOLUTION OF MARRIAGE   by Manoj Dias-Abey

http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=8566

Gay marriage ... a modern reality?
   
The religious right and members of the GLBTI community who oppose gay marriage have more in common than one might initially expect. Both parties have a static view of marriage that ignores the modern reality and sees marriage as simply a religious institution that unites a man and woman for the economic purpose of protecting property rights.

However, such a view fails to recognise the significant evolution that this concept has undergone since its inception. The courts have on many occasions been called upon to describe and define marriage, and for the most part have done an admirable job of developing marriage to suit the various exigencies of the modern world.