Where do you seek validity for such things as marriage? The State?If they were honest they would. The real purpose is to try to convince the masses that same sex unions are just as valid and opposite sex unions.Er, then why aren't gays fighting for government to get out of the marriage business rather than fighting for them to stay in it?
Marriage is a community recognition of a union. In the West yes: it is the state that RECOGNISES a marriage; but one can be married and the state not recognise it; eg, France. You can have a Church Wedding but until the mayor recognises it,then the state doesn't recognise it.
The Church has the view that it is a "Solemn Oath"....and so on.
Frankly the battle for gay acceptance is a hugely overdone attempt to legitimise a perversion. If others want to go down that road then frankly that's their business. I will still consider it a perversion whether "The State" recognises it or not..
Greg