If your last sentence is true, fine. But I suspect it isn't exactly correct.Correct me if I'm wrong. He believes that individual states should make the rules on marriage. Therefore, in his view, a state could deny someone the same rights that others have.
I have a big problem with that.
Well if you look at the issue from a constitutional perspective then that is correct. I'm guessing most states would need to amend their constitutions to allow them any say whatsoever in defining marriage, but that's how federalism works. That would certainly be preferable to a one size fits all federal decision, but it's not the best decision. As I've already told you, Ron Paul says all levels of government should stay out of the marriage business completely and allow people to define marriage for themselves.
His last sentence is correct. I have heard him speak about it twice. His position is that he definitely doesn't want the federal government to be involved. He believes (correctly) that the institution of marriage predates even government itself.
While marriage is licensed and otherwise regulated by the states, government did not create the institution of marriage. In fact, the institution of marriage most likely pre-dates the institution of government! Government regulation of marriage is based on state recognition of the practices and customs formulated by private individuals interacting in civil society. Many people associate their wedding day with completing the rituals and other requirements of their faith, thus being joined in the eyes of their church and their creator, not with receiving their marriage license, thus being joined in the eyes of the state.
I think its pretty clear that the he sees marriage as a religious/social issue that the government should stay out of. He goes on to explain his support for various "stay the hell out of marriage federal government" acts. Here's the link. I guess you could interpret that as "he wants states to have authority over marriage" but I don't think thats really accurate. I think he just accepts that there are no getting them out. I tend to agree. I don't want the discussion at all. I would prefer 360 million different views on marriage but that won't be allowed to happen. As such, I would definitely rather have 50 different sanctions than one universal sanction.
The Federal Marriage Amendment Is a Very Bad Idea by Ron Paul
Hope that helps.
Mike