Why do people say they don't want government involved
in marriage? Marriage/Civil Union/whatever is a
collection of LEGAL agreements, the stuff government is
made of, as legislatures make law and courts enforce
them.
Personally, I think we should give the word "marriage"
to churches etc. (with whatever sticky wicket rules
each group wants to play by) and have a different term
for the legal arrangement, such as "civil union" or
"domestic partnership" for EVERYBODY gay or straight.
You would have to have a "civil union" filed to get a
"marriage license", in order to be "married" by a
spiritual leader.
Have fun with this thought,
Francesca