Real Issues

The Maxim Institute has a weekly emailout called Real Issues. The latest has an article by Maxim Director Bruce Logan on the previously mentioned Doha Declarationdrawn up by representatives of governments and NGOs who met in Doha, Qatar, at the end of November. I understand Bruce Logan was at Doha, hence his interested in the declaration.

There is a bit of a debate on his article here. And no, the Dave on the discussion is not me.

On marriage, Mr Logan says

. The heterosexual nature of marriage is just one more barrier in a long line of social impositions that need to be overcome or abolished to realise, more perfectly, our destiny as creatures who know no law other than mutual gratification. The phrase for this theory comes from the British social theorist Anthony Giddens, who refers to it as "companionate marriage". The idea is that the truly modern form of marriage is simply two people who want to spend some time with each other and perhaps have sex. Children do not come into the equation.

This is rubbish. If marriage has the idea of mutual gratification among two people who " spend some time with each other and perhaps have sex", then what distinguishes it from casual relationships, one night stands or prostitution?

Even those supportive of gay marriage have a higher view of marriage than that.

And while I'm at it, would anyone like to suggest who will replace Maharey as the new Minister of Social Development next week? Heard a rumour that it is on the cards.