[ronald_reagan]

Civil union could be treated, according to the legal system, just like marriage. Lots of men and women do the justice of the peace thing, marrying without "sanction" of the church. Of course, when same sex civils split up, they would have to "split the crap up" according to the same system. Allow churches to define "godly" marriage; allow the civil authority to give equal protection.

I agree.

Marriage is ONLY a religious institutition. Government didn't come up with the idea... so I have to believe that their motives aren't the best when they either want to grant 'marriage' or deny it.

The government should only be in the business of 'marriage' as a legally binding contract that can be used in the case of taxes, earning, children, and property... on a variety of issues related to the things just mentioned. It should be a business deal. Not a 'moral' thing.