I sense I might get some disagreement over this but hear me out first.

As I see, marriage serves absolutely no purpose saved the benefits that come along with it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's bad thing, but it definitely has some big flaws that I find problematic (and in some cases, morally reprehensible).

If you disagree, let me know why I won't be offended or anything (for example, my mother vehemately disagrees with me on this xD)

Here are some of the arguments I don't buy:

1) "Marriage is the ultimate display of love for someone" - No it is not. STAYING with someone is the ultimate display of love for someone. If we had two couples who were together for 5 years each, one is married, one is not, I fail to see how they differ. The only difference is that one relationship is recognized by the government, and one is not.

2) "Married helps people stay together" - Statistics say otherwise (40~50% marriages ending in failure anyone?)

And here are some problems I have:

1) Marriage to some degree, is a religious insitution (which is FINE). HOWEVER, I think it is absolutely morally wrong that it is used by some (not so much in Canada, but heavily in the US) to carve a distinction between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples. It is ABOSLUTELY NOT okay to use something that is supposed to be intrinsically good as a tool of discrimation. It's aboslutely disgusting.

"Well some places have civil unions for those kind of relationships" - Fuck off. Seriously, I find it difficult to hold my tongue with people who argue for this deplorable piece of legislation (some places in the US have it). I don't give a shit if it's EXACTLY the same as marriage in respent to benefits. It is used as a tool to widen this gap by primarily fundamental Christians (I'm sorry those who are Christian but I can't excuse something like this), though mainly the more conservative ones (for example, my parents have no problems with it, and they are Christian). I don't give a fuck what your bible says, discrimation is discrimation. As far as I see it there is no difference between calling an african american a "nigger", and advocating for this trash.

As I see it, what it basically says is: "We'll give you the rights so you'll shut up, but we refuse to call it the same thing because that makes us equals [because you're clearly lesser than us]". Therefore, there is no true difference between allowing civil unions for homosexual couples and banning homosexual marriage entirely, because the intent is the same. (Even though, civil union would technically increase the total utility [utilitarianism] of the situation xD - told you I didn't agree with the theory haha)

Not that I have a strong opinion or anything xD, I just don't see why I should have the right to get married, when a gay couple does not. I am in no way different. Thankfully, Canada (or at least in Halifax, is there places in Canada that don't allow it?) doesn't do this, but in the States it is a real issue.

2) Somewhat related the #2 above but sometimes marriage is a crutch that keeps people together who shouldn't be. For example, abusive relationships, relationships where cheating is involved, etc. While I would advocate attempting to recocile IF POSSIBLE (abusive is no excuse, of course), sometimes things just don't work out, and it would be better if the two are separate.

3) Related to this as well, it is harder to get out of this sort of thing because divorce is a very tricky process.

4) It is very often used as a method to profit off of people's love (similarily how funeral proceedings profit off of people's grief). In short: EXPENSIVE! (unless you go Vegas style )

BUT I DO NOT THINK MARRIAGE IS BAD

I realize I may seem very negative about it, but I just think that people get into it for the wrong reasons, and it can be used for the wrong reasons.

I think, if you are actually in a committed relationship and are going to be together anyway, there is no reason not to get married. The benefits of being together in a marriage are obviously a plus (health insurance, etc.)

I also think if you feel like you'd like to make a commitment to someone you know you'll be with anything, then that's great as well; just don't think of yourselves as somehow better.

Anyhow there's probably more but these are just some things I thought of off the top of my head. Hopefully it's coherant (I typed it fast xD).

Sorry for the tl;dr