"Gary L. Drescher" wrote in message
news:wsK0b.207750$YN5.144004@sccrnsc01...

If the meaning of the word "marriage" is not set by statute and by various
people's actual uses of the term, then what *does* determine the meaning
of
the word? Dictionaries? Surely you understand that a dictionary merely
codifies actual usage, and as a growing number of jurisdictions issue
marriage licenses without regard to gender, dictionaries will soon amend
their definitions accordingly. The meanings of words constantly evolve;
if
not, the English language wouldn't even exist.

In some times and places, the word "marriage" referred only to unions
sanctioned by the Catholic Church. The meaning of the word has changed,
and
is changing again.


Surely you understand that since only a very small minority will ever
consider same-sex unions to be "marriage" in any sense "marriage" will
continue to be defined as it has been for centuries.