Reply #5: I think the word marriage is fine [View All]

[ruggerson]

for a religious ceremony. The thing is, when people get married in a church, there are really two dynamics at work. The priest or reverend or pastor has to also supply a marriage LICENSE, which is the legal, civil aspect of it. Without that piece of paper, they are married in the eyes of the church, not the state.

The religious right has made great headway by conflating the two forms of marriage, religious and civil, and stirring up opposition based on fear and misinformation.

If somehow, people can be made to understand that gays and lesbians are only demanding the "civil" aspect of marriage (that which is adminstered by the government) and also wish to let religious dominations keep marrying and refusing to marry whomever they please, the debate would be markedly changed for the better.