Polygamists, Throuples, and the Un-defining of Marriage

One of the silliest things about the debate over so-called gay marriage was the persistent mischaracterization of it being an effort to “redefine” the institution. To redefine something, you have to actually advocate an alternative definition to the one currently embraced. Yet no matter how often conservatives, traditionalists, and Christians asked the LGBT lobby to provide their substitute definition, one was never forthcoming.

In truth then, what was being pursued was never a redefinition of marriage, but rather the “un-defining” of the institution – an attempt to obliterate the fundamental moral parameters for what is to be perceived as legal, married partnerships.

That was never going to be without monumental consequence. Even as we were dismissed as hysterical alarmists, and heralds of the slippery slope logical fallacy, more than a few of us were acknowledging the Pandora’s Box that was being carelessly thrown open.

So needless to say, it came as no surprise to see two stories this last week providing more confirmation that it was never alarmism, but a realistic and sober understanding of the logical end of our illogical revolution. First:

The HGTV show “House Hunters” featured a “throuple” — three people in a polyamorous relationship — on Wednesday. Titled “Three’s Not a Crowd In Colorado Springs,” the episode follows Brian, Lori, and Geli on their search for a house that will fit all three of them, as well as Brian and Lori’s two children.

Brian and Lori are legally married and entered into a relationship with Geli after meeting her at a bar.

Meanwhile, in Utah:

A bill that would effectively decriminalize polygamy among consenting adults in Utah was unanimously endorsed by a state Senate committee this week, sending the legislation to the full chamber for a vote, The Salt Lake City Tribune reported.

The latter bill is a Republican-sponsored measure, by the way.

So what exactly can be the cultural objection to this? Even if you think this is bad for women, families, or society, what legal leg is there left to stand on? We accepted as valid the positions espoused by pop culture activists like Ellen DeGeneres who famously argued,

“People are gonna be who they’re gonna be, and we need to learn to love them for who they are and let them love who they want to love.”

So how would we refuse Brian and his two ladies, or the polygamists in Utah when they argue the same?

The answer is we don’t.  That was always the consequence of choosing to un-define marriage. The institution became a meaningless term to be contorted and bent in whatever direction the winds of pop culture fads were blowing. There’s good reason to be concerned about which way they will blow next.

This article was originally published at TheResurgent.com.