<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>robocoastie</b></i>
"Legal Marriage" didn't come about until after the American Civil War. It was created as part of segregation to keep whites from marrying blacks. Prior to that there was NEVER any government license to be married required. It was ceremony only recognized if it was conducted by Clergy, Justice of the Peace, or Captain of a ship.
Therefore, the misinterpretations and out of context bible references have zero bearing on marriage at all. And for those who think it's a sin otherwise blah blah, remember the bible, specifically the so called "Old Testament" was written as instructions for ONE tribe of people - Israel, if you are a believer in their god then you must go to the source - the Jewish people who will tell you that OTHER believers in their god have very very very few rules to follow and they are called the Seven Noahide Laws none of which have anything to do with paying the government for permission to get married either.
When you start to understand this and actually research the so called Old Testament and Judaism you can see why they have a hard time with christianity especially modern christianity.
There's also the fact that the planet has billions of people on it from hundreds of nations the vast majority of whom have their own gods (which the OT btw does not deny exist nor condemns unless you are an Israelite, in fact it supports that they do).
So in short, take the religious argument and stuff it because the requirements about "marriage" in your religion only apply to YOU.</end quote></div>
Oh goodness. This is now, turning entirely off-topic.