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[Diana Duncan <art2mis AT nc.rr.com>]

I know, I know, very sensitive topic.  But I am truly at a loss with 
the current arguments that marriage is the province of the churches, 
therefore shouldn't be recognized by states unless churches approve.  
As Craig and I are both atheists and our ceremony explicitly did not 
include the word "God", why is our marriage recognized by the 
governments?  It was certainly not sanctified by any church.  In fact, 
the state is in the business of providing secular marriages at court 
houses and judge's offices.  How does calling the union of two people a 
civil union differ from these secular marriages?  Will the current 
proposed changes to state and federal constitutions inadvertently 
reclassify all such marriages as civil unions?

I truly am curious about serious answers to these questions.  I don't 
know that any of you know the answer, but it's worth a try in this 
diverse forum.

Thanks!

Diana