“Face it. Marriage was lost when government was allowed in.”
Yes. A “license to mate”. Once you accept government control then don’t be surprised at what happens.
Marriage has a meaning that can not be altered, one man one woman. And you don’t need permission or a license.
What’s your plan for spousal visas?
Up until around the civil war, there was only a very limited federal recognition of marriage. Contrary to the puritanical attitudes some display today, common law marriages (shacking up) was pretty common in remote areas where people might not see a minister for years.
In the course of my genealogy research i found lots of my ancestors were in common law marriages which sometimes ended and other times became wedded in God. The government didn’t really make much distinction between the two and doesn’t appear to have gotten involved unless there were property disputes.