QUOTE (EggBeast @ Nov 13 2009, 12:27 AM) Basically, the government shouldn't even define marriage, it shouldn't even recognize marriage. Government should only acknowledge civil unions between 2 consenting adults, and give them any special privileges/tax benefits based upon that. Marriage ceremonies can then be performed by religious institutions, or whatever institution you like. That way, the institution of marriage stays sacred, and the government can stay the h*** out of our pants!
That's what happens in some other countries. Ex : France. The only legal marriage is the civil marriage, made by the mayor of the town. Churches can perform religious marriage, but it has absolutely no legal value (that's why often, there's a little ceremony in the city hall and a bigger in the church).
It doesn't prevent some people from being against gay marriage (or gay civil unions) for religious reasons.
I guess the reasoning is something like "We're already nice to tolerate them, they could at least be ashamed and hide under a rock instead of wanting to make their relationship official".
That's what happens in some other countries. Ex : France. The only legal marriage is the civil marriage, made by the mayor of the town. Churches can perform religious marriage, but it has absolutely no legal value (that's why often, there's a little ceremony in the city hall and a bigger in the church).
It doesn't prevent some people from being against gay marriage (or gay civil unions) for religious reasons.
I guess the reasoning is something like "We're already nice to tolerate them, they could at least be ashamed and hide under a rock instead of wanting to make their relationship official".