Originally Posted by Guest

The problem with our communication is that you believe that your understanding of what is a marriage has some basis in your religion. You believe that a marriage is a sacrament and your definition of holy or God should be the governmental definition of marriage. It is a false argument and I believe you are smart enough to know it. Marriage is a legal contract that does not require the blessing of any deity nor need it be done in a temple of the high priest or by a representative of your deity. On your tax return it does not nor has it ever asked who married you or in the name of what deity. Your particular church can insist that to be called married by YOUR CHURCH you must follow its doctrines or be tossed out of its loving arms but YOUR CHURCH has no right to impose its doctrine on the rest of us. Your church does not own the word marriage although you cling to it as if it is yours. My country is not obliged to adopt your church's definitions even if it accepted it in the past. My country may recognize the damage and suffering your church's definition has imposed on the rest of us and instead move to a more egalitarian and legal understanding that all of us have a right to enter into the legal contract of marriage. You may keep your church based belief within your church and within your heart. You may even have your own new term. Why not call what I seek to be marriage and you can now have religious union. Those not in a religious union may not participate in the rites of your church. All married people can be full citizens with all the privileges and responsibilities of marriage under Federal and local law.