As predicted...Frank can finally marry Jane and Sue!

Via Brussels Journal:

The Netherlands and Belgium were the first countries to give full marriage rights to homosexuals. In the United States some politicians propose “civil unions” that give homosexual couples the full benefits and responsibilities of marriage. These civil unions differ from marriage only in name.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands polygamy has been legalised in all but name. Last Friday the first civil union of three partners was registered. Victor de Bruijn (46) from Roosendaal “married” both Bianca (31) and Mirjam (35) in a ceremony before a notary who duly registered their civil union.

“I love both Bianca and Mirjam, so I am marrying them both,” Victor said.

How telling that I'm not surprised by this. I hope people begin to see the logical conclusions of allowing anybody to marry for any reason. Obviously, I operate under the assumption that homosexuality and gay marriage are wrong, because the Bible clearly teaches so. Yet, the rest of the world won't accept that argument; another is necessary, one based on natural law--because natural law is the only source of morality that all people recognize and which is self-destructing to deny. So, some questions:

Thinking sans-Biblical principle, why do people marry? In the eyes of the State, what is marriage, what benefits does it have for society, and is that all that matters?

If there is a distinctive purpose for the state sanctioning marriage in legal terms, does a specific definition lend itself to the State's purposes, or can multiple definitions satisfy?

What is the nature of the conflict between personal liberty and protection of societal norms/institutions?

UPDATE: New marriage and family statistics are out for Britain.