Just because you believe it is okay to discrimminate, treat a person like chattel or be treated like chattel yourself does not make it legal nor acceptable in this country. We have a consititution for a reason and laws to protect the citizens and enforce the constitution for that very reason. That is like saying that the laws of the 15th and 156th century would be fine today as long as everyone agreed. Well they might agree until they were actually tortured and beheaded. Also, animal cruelty is illegal regardless of whether or not the animal agrees to it or can make a concious decision. Humans should have fewer protections under the law?

SNIP
>I a country with freedom of religion, if one believes in a religion in which one is considered to be chattel; if one is willing to have his (or her - but that's a different thread) case heard by a court that considers one as chattel.... that's a personal decision.
>I don't particularly believe the state has the obligation to protect people from the consequences of their informed decisions.
>
>As long as there is informed consent by all parties, I don't have a problem with this.