(June 29, 2015 at 3:05 pm)Aristocatt Wrote: My point is that how a word is used is a little bit more important than the etymology when defining meaning. I was also having a little fun by saying that I googled "what is a civil right".
You were trying to point out that somebody either used the wrong word "civil" as opposed to "fundamental", or that because it is a "civil" right, that SCOTUS getting involved with it is wrong.
I am trying to point out that words have multiple meanings, and the way you have defined a civil right, is not the way most English speakers use the word anymore.
Ace did use the word properly. Civil is conjugate of Civic which mean rights or duties conferred or owed by the State or to the State.
Furthermore Ace is correct in pointing out the Civil rights movement was in regards to african americans preexisting right to vote. The movement was to secure further protection in the execution of the preexisting right. Where as the same sex marriage is seeking extension of or redefinition of a right which was not already awarded, but subsequently barred by discriminatory practices. As expressed readily by Chief Justice John Roberts.