How does the anti-gay marriage crowd feel about straight couples marrying in civil ceremonies?

tangerine: How does the anti-gay marriage crowd feel about straight couples marrying in civil ceremonies?
I’ve heard some of the anti-gay marriage folks here argue that gays should have civil unions, but they shouldn’t be allowed to marry, because of the religious ramifications of marriage. Does marriage always have a religious undertone, though? After all, there are plenty of straight couples who get married in civil ceremonies.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Seldon Surak
THE LEGAL RIGHTS MUST BE THE SAME OR NO DEAL

Answer by kramreg
Civil ceremonies are recognized as real marriages by God, just as long as the two parties are of different sexes.

Answer by JC
I was married in a civil ceremony. I do not follow a religion. If they were logically consistent, they would be opposed to it, but the issue is more about bigotry, control, and obedience more than it is about being reasonable.

Answer by nomad
It’s fine, that is why it works so well. For unconventional unions, such as widowed sisters or brothers living together for example. It allows them the ability to enjoy tax benefits that conventional unions have. It would help all people wanting a union, not just gay’s.

Answer by Holbrook Lives!
…if a person gets “married” outside of a Church Ceremony in all reality you are in a Civil Union…plain and simple…the problem you tolerant NeoLibs fail to see is, this should be left up to the States and the people of said State since the Federal Government has no control over marriage period…I am not homophobic…I lived with two different sets of Lesbians in my life time, and I can tell you I have met just as many (percentage wise) heterophobic gays as I have met homophobic straights…but the heterophoic gays are ok to tolerant NeoLibs…you want Separation of Church and State…this is it…keeping Government out of Church business…

Answer by Leigh ♥ Proud Conservative
You have to ask yourself, “Who is responsible for the creation of marriage?” and that answer comes from religion. So, yes, marriage always has a religious undertone because that is where it stems from. Straight, nonreligious, couples wanting civil ceremonies? Great, more power to them.

Answer by DAR
I’m not anti gay marriage (I voted against Prop 8) but I think that is the only solution. The apparent hysteria really boils down to a freedom of religion argument. If their church considers it a sin and against God’s will, their church should not have to perform ceremonies. So all of us (I’m straight) can get civil unions and churches can perform ceremonies according to their own religious beliefs.

Works for me.

Answer by hotpinkKITTY
I don’t know, I don’t get it… Marriage is a LEGAL CONTRACT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE

The Church/Synagogue didn’t get involved until the last couple of centuries. I have no idea why they base their ideas on religion.

Answer by Epinions Reviewer.
Ok with me, but I’m against marriage for anyone. Especially, if 2 people don’t want kids the piece of paper is useless. Many view it as religious, but many of us don’t.

Answer by Matthew
This is a simple answer. Regardless of sexual preference, a civil union is for those who are seeking to commit to another person for life. If someone isn’t a Christian then they can make that commitment in a civil union. However marriage has a tradition associated with being a covanant between a man, a woman, and God. Hence the Biblical references to a cord of 3 strands representing marriage. I have no problem with civil unions, and I’m all for gay couples getting the same rights as straight couples. My issue is why does the name marriage need to be used? You can call it what you want, but a gay couple can’t be married. That’s not because of us, that’s because God won’t be included in that ceremony. So what do you have? You have something, but it’s not marriage. I think this issue is stupid because we’re arguing over a title. If you want rights then ask for rights, don’t ask for the title.