On Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:46:51 +0000, IanM wrote:


The state (any state - I'm in the UK) should totally get out of the
marrage business. Marry whoever you like (that your religion will let
you) in a religious ceremony and go to the courthouse to register the
partnership (requirements: two partners, both human, alive, over the age
of consent and not currently partners of anyone else).

And if you aren't religious?

Letting any priest, minister or other religous leader conduct state
business is *WRONG*. I suppose one might allow churches, temples etc.
to contract with the state for a state employee to be present to
register the civil partnership contract.

Perhaps, if we had started that way, but we now have several hundred
years of marriage between the state and religion.