Marriage predates government and religion. Prior to the existence of government, if I married a woman, the rules were pretty simple. You (bleep) my wife--I kill you.
Such rules no longer work when governments forbid people from killing other people without a governmentally-recognized reason. It thus becomes necessary for government to provide some recognition of a marriage, so as to restore the check on adultery which government itself had removed. What's important to note, however, is that while the marriage has both governmental and religious significance, its real significance is far more fundamental. Government must recognize it, but does not create it.
“Government must recognize it, but does not create it.”
Relying on gubberment to defend something as important as marriage hasn’t worked, at least in my opinion.
Freegards
Well said!