I find this whole debate to be somewhat laughable. Marriage is what it is. TO some people, it's just a word. To others, it's a state of legally binding partnership. To some, like myself, it's a state of Holy Matrimony.
Either way, I find marriage to be above dating on the relationship scale. It's the next step, no matter which definition of "marriage" you believe in. If it wasn't so important, there wouldn't be an argument over it daily. No one argues over the importances of dating and it's definitions on the news. Marriage? That's another story.
No one is saying that because they are married, that their relationship is more meaningful that yours, or that they love there spouse more than you love your significant other or your houseplant....they're just pointing out that there is a distinct difference. It's like saying that a one-night stand is the same as dating. No, dating is above a one-night stand in terms of commitment, emotions, and what-not. Same with marriage and dating.
Now, back on topic, I still say with all certainty that changing something like a marriage into a couple living together would change things. If you need a real world example of this, then everyone who is living with someone, go home and marry them...then, in 6 months, tell me if everything is the same.
That being said, I'm going to hark back onto another point that I think Blader has made, and he was totally right about:
It's a comic. The real world rules don't neccasarily apply here. Devils don't offer up deals for marriages whenever the elderly are shot.
Just saying.
Now, lighten the hell up.
ps- moraldeficiency, I laughed out loud and was almost fired when I read the Micheal Bay comment.

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