"I really don't understand those who want to leave the concept of "marraige" in the hands of politicians, period. "
Uh, then you dont understand marriage, period.
Short answer: It's a *legal* definition of a sacred institution protecting real *families*.
Think of it as the legal underpinnings of western civilization and you wouldnt be too far off.
(Too late to explain.)
Well, I have been happily married for quite a while now, so I think that I have some clue.
"Short answer: It's a *legal* definition of a sacred institution protecting real *families*."
The legality of marriage is not what makes marriage "sacred", nor is the legality what makes "a real family" sacred. The sanctity of marriage and family requires more than a simple legal document to render it so. The legality of marriage just makes it "legal", period -- and this is not irrelevant, but it isn't everything either. In fact, the legality of marriage is rarely even an issue to a member of a couple, until or unless there is a divorce or death of a spouse. Beyond that, it is the active participation in the emotional and spiritual responsibilities of marriage that has the most day-to-day relevance to a couple succeeding as and remaining "a family".
"Think of it as the legal underpinnings of western civilization and you wouldnt be too far off."
Actually, I would agree that "marriage" is one of the most important "underpinnings of Western Civilization" -- but that has been eroding for quite a long time now, independent of it definition as a legal institution.
What I am suggesting is more a "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's". We elect politicians to produces laws, not render things "sacred" or not. Yes, there needs to be a legal container for a personal partnership, but it is simply that -- a legality. Leave its sanctity to those involved and not to politicians.
Otherwise, you may get what you didn't bargain for -- rendering the concept of marriage to include homosexual couples and who knows what else, defiling its true sanctity and further eroding what has indeed been a fundamental pillar of Western Civilization.