Why do some people claim that marriage is a religious institution?

This claim is used, whenever discussing gay marriage. But, if marriage is ONLY a religious institution should heterosexuals not be allowed to have civil marriages? I cannot understand that claim. For many many years, in all western countries, heterosexuals can have civil marriages. And religious people can marry in a ceremony conducted by religious authorities.





When we claim that gay people should be able to have civil marriages (like heterosexuals have been doing for so long), with no mention to this or that religion, why do those who oppose gay marriage come up with this claim that marriage is a religious institution?Why do some people claim that marriage is a religious institution?
First, I totally agree with you. Second, I will try to explain where ';they'; are coming from.





On one hand, marriage is a three way covenant between two individual and their god. Some religions thing that this covenant can only be between a man and a woman. I disagree but we do have the right to our own religious beliefs.The religious bodies can authorize whomever they want to oversee the exchanging of vows.





One the other hand, marriage is a legal contract between two individuals that is enforced by the State. It defines certain rights that each individual can claim over the other. The State can authorize whomever it wishes to see that the contract is signed.





Historically, a minister has officiated over both. This has made the two sides of the coin blur together. If only those who oppose same sex marriages cannot say as Jesus did ';Render unto Cesar what is Cesar's and to God what is God's.'; I could suggest that we help by simply calling it a civil union. But I would not be totally happy with that. As a person of faith who does believe in same sex unions, I do not want to leave God out of the picture either.





It seems like freedom of speech should let me use the term ';Marriage'; in any way that I would like. Why do some people claim that marriage is a religious institution?
You can have whatever ceremony in whatever church you please. It's not a legal marriage until you have a marriage license and marriage certificate.





I could have a rabbi marry me to a snow blower but without a marriage certificate it doesn't mean anything legally.





Marriage is a legal contract. It requires state licensing and certification.
It is for the stability ,care and love and for the future protection and peaceful existence of the human society ,the institution of marriage has been introduced .Natural care and Natural existence is the idea behind this as against all arguments .Un- natural relations has nothing to do with this .
in state after state Americans have voted and spoken. marriage should be between a man and woman. like you, i believe that marriage has little to do with faith now days. to me, all of this ceremony is for the government and public anyway. if you want to talk God, the bible never has a ceremony. not like we do today. in the Bible and man and woman sleeping together in agreement that they would be together was all that constituted a marriage. there were no vows, rings or licenses. those are all governmental and church based things added later. anyway, for now it is beating a dead horse. the public is largely against same sex marriage, and for now that is how it is, agree or not.
Because it is. Where do you think it came from? All laws, worth the paper that they are written on, come from God! The source of justice, and Truth, not mans laws, or his perversion of them. Man, has always tried to test, or pervert Gods laws, and that's kool; but you have to except the consequences for your actions. One cant put his hand in the flam, and get made at others, for not pulling it out. You play games with truth, you get burned, regardless how, or why you try to justify it.
you are asking 2 questions..is marriage a religious institution YES, IT CAN BE





then you ask is it ONLY a religious institution NO





you're trying to justify something by confusion.
Because religious people think they invented and are in control of everything. Not only marriage, but the whole Earth/universe. Neither are true.





Harriet
You have a valid point but the system is very dated my friend and that is how things work
Because they don't want to admit to themselves that they are bigots. They think the thoughts, but shy away from the correct label for their actions.





If it is religious (all of a sudden) why can atheists marry then? They don't read the bible after all. Other civil laws don't follow the bible's teachings either. And these religious folks don't exactly follow all of their bibles rules - they pick and choose, ignoring those that are difficult or would hamper their lives in any way. It's hypocritical to the extreme.





Promoting bigotry makes one a bigot. They should just accept it; that is what this is. Discrimination due to irrational bias.