Reply #32: It comes down to what is meant by the word "marriage".

[AntiCoup2K4]

Since the government issues marriage licenses - which make a marriage legal - then there is absolutely no logical reason for the government not to issue that legal document, and the legal status that comes with it, to a same sex couple.

The church ceremony, of course, would have to be left up to the individual church and/or their affiliated hierarchy. No doubt some would allow such ceremonies and others would not, but it's not up to the government to tell churches what to do, even when they have their heads buried in their asses.

It's likely that even most reasonable minded conservatives - probably all but the most moronically hateful - would support gay marriage (in the legal sense) if they actually took 5 minutes to think about it. When it comes to issues like health care coverage, hospital visitations, survivors benefits, etc. there's no logical argument that could me made for homophobia "benefitting" society.