cant it all be solved by having everyone who wants to have the social benefits and legal status etc that the state provide get a civil union.

and everyone who wants to be married infront of the eyes of god gets a marriage at whatever religious institution they want.

marriage imo doesnt have to be a civil right but then they shouldnt get all kinds of benefits that are denied to others for no reason except of not fitting in within that church.

so civil union for every one (who wants legal status and social benefits) and marriage only for those who want something extra in the eyes of god.

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and who defined Marriage as a specifically Religious thing?

Marriage was around long before the Catholic Church and it will almost certainly out live the Church (Religions come and go...)

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i didnt say it was specifically catholic.

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I know but its one of the easiest Religions to name - and one of the most Vocal groups claiming Marriage should be a Religious thing.

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well as it is organised in many "western" countries, marriage is a religious thing. let it stay that way. there is the civil union.

since state and church are seperated, disentangle the legal status + benefits from the church marriage and make this exclusive to the civil union. marriage by church then becomes a religious ceremony/tradition specially for those that want it.

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accept it isn't and has never has been a uniquely religious insinuation - you don't have to be married by a priest - there are a whole bunch of people who can legally marry someone (ships captains for example)

Who decides who can marry who? Government

Marriage has always been a state endorsed and enforced institution - the church is but one group who can perform them

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this all doesnt matter, you can add ship captains to the extra list. the state should provide for all and the other groups, may it be satanic sects, the religions of the book, shipcaptains etc can exclude or include whomever they please and have their own ceremonies as long as they keep it within the boundaries of the law.

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