Reply #3: civil union

[fshlr]

I believe we should have "civil unions" for all people who want to get married and all civil unions should be the same. "Render unto Caesar..." If the couple also wish to go to some church, mosque, synagogue etc. for a ceremony in the context of their religious beliefs - fine. This is the way that a number of "Catholic" countries handle marriage and it is more in line with our Constitution than empowering ministers, priests and rabbis to act as agents of the state to perform a ceremony with religious roots but civil consequences.
I don't like the current move to a "civil union" compromise because it awards second-class status to "good" gays (couples who want to behave like Mr. and Mrs. Straight America) and so by implication criticizes those who don't. The behavior of consenting adults should not be a "civil" (government) issue. The government must treat all citizens equally.