Civil Union, Marriage, Matrimony

This subject had become a hot button topic over these last several years, culminating in a showdown in the United States Supreme Court. Both sides, no, all sides have what they feel are valid arguments and quite honestly, all are correct.

Simply put, a Civil Union is the recognition by a state or municipality to a legal and binding contract between two adults in a domestic partnership. This, however, may not be recognized by employers for the sake of benefits of the employee's partner. In addition, depending on the state, there may be other hindrances for each partner in said relationship. For example, the word spouse may not be applicable or acceptable by others viewing said relationship.

So, Marriage is what the partners want to be in, but several states do not recognize the relationship as a marriage when the partners are of the same sex. Hence, the fallback is a Civil Union, which as explained above has its drawbacks. States and municipalities recognize a civil marriage between members of the opposite sex, but most states and municipalities won't recognize a civil marriage between members of the same sex.

There are many honest people on both sides of this issue who feel their position is just. And they would be right. The 14th Amendment provides for equal protection for all, no matter what.

So what is the problem?

Although this country is founded on the basis of keeping church and state apart, in this case as in so many others,  the religious aspect always seems to show its head. It's amazing how people's faith or agnosticism becomes relevant depending on which side of the  issue one supports.

Recently, I had occasion to discuss this issue with a young man who made valid points in support of his position. He felt that marriage should be between a man and a  woman, and that  same sex couples should live their relationship in a civil union. I said all persons should be permitted to marry no matter their gender. He brought up marriage as a sacrament given to man by God (I too, believe in God) and I finally realized where the religious position is wrong: Marriage is not the sacrament, from a Judeo-Christian point of view. After all, Jesus went to the Marriage Feast of Cana. I explained this to him. I also said that mankind has enjoyed marriage going all the way back through prehistoric times and was civilly performed to the present day. After all, we all apply for a marriage certificate before we marry. So marriage is not a religious institution.

Matrimony is.

No government agency or court can force a religious institution to bless a same sex couple. That is the sacrament given by Jesus to the apostles where the church, synagogue or mosque, or any other religious entity blesses the marriage in accordance with the religious beliefs of the entity.

Therefore, same sex couples should be permitted to marry and enjoy all the legal benefits accordingly.