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Quote by: texasdave  Marriage is indeed a religious institution but the governing authorities have the power to regulate it for the collective benefit of society. Heterosexual marriage has a collective benefit, children. Homosexual marriage has no collective benefit to society. |
So government does not grant the right to marry, it accepts and recognizes some marriages while denying others, but that denial does not dissolve the marriage. As I thought.
The government regulation of marriage does not impact the production of children, never has, and never will. If you're arguing that the government's recognition and subsidization of marriage improves the chances that children will become good citizens, I would like to see your evidence.
Isherwood, I see a justice of the peace marriage as providing a service for atheists/non-denominational people who do not have a religious figure to perform it for them. If government controlled marriage, then religious people would have to get married twice: in front of the priest, and in front of the judge. Right?